Page 68 of Fated to the Wicked King

Sophie took a deep breath. “I think their timing is quite impeccable.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her regal chin in authority, radiating the confidence of someone finally taking charge. “Perhaps it is indeed time for us to depart.” Taking her skirts, she turned to the Duchess first. “Thank you very much for your assistance.” She curtsied low. “It was a pleasure to meet the legendary Duchess.”

The Duchess gave her an acknowledging nod. “The pleasure was all mine, Princess of Lucerne.” She lifted her hand in a wave, moving toward the foyer. “I think I shall instruct the stablehands to ensure whatever supplies Their Royal Highnesses might need for their journey will be sent along. Come, Fluffy.”

With a short mewl, Chez hopped off the balcony railing to follow his master out of the hall.

Sophie took her brother’s arm securely in hers—as if to prevent any further incidents, as she moved toward the door. “If we make haste, we should arrive home before sunset.”

Gregory paused mid-stride anyway. He turned to meet my gaze. “Please come with us, Allie. You know we are the better option.” His gray eyes shining with his final plea, he lifted his hand and held it out.

The king growled, his narrowed glare searing. “You touch her, you die.” His threat was potent enough that he barely needed to move from his position, still standing across the room.

Seeming to muster up her own courage, Sophie’s eyebrows rose. “Allie?”

She wanted to determine if I was staying of my own volition. That the king wasn’t pulling my strings and keeping me here under threat, that my choices were my own. She was giving me one last opportunity to escape, offering a way out of my indenture with the king. They both were.

I supposed, from their perspectives, I might have seemed truly mad.

I gave them both a warm, rueful smile. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t seriously considering it, but… “Thank you, Sophie, Gregory.” Dropping my gaze, I bit my lip. “But I’m…staying with the king.”

The king huffed in triumph. Leaning against the fresco wall, he folded his arms across his chest.

“Why, Allie?” Gregory’s forehead creased. “You could build a life with us in Lucerne. With my sister and me. Your kindness, your talents, your cleverness, they’re wasted on this monster.”

“Your Highness, the offer is very tempting. But you misunderstand my intentions.” I shook my head. “Your kingdom is the jewel of this world. I can truly attest to that. However, I do not intend to stay on Wünder at all. I must find the machine, the doorway. It is the only way to find my way home. And I must go home—to my real world. I have a bargain with the king to help me do just that.”

Sophie’s eyes cleared in understanding. She let out another sigh, this time in resignation. “Then, where are you going from here?”

“I must go to the Hatter’s house. I feel he ought to be able to answer many questions. Ghosts happen to be his area of expertise.”

“The Hatter?” Gregory echoed. “No one has seen him in many moons.”

Sophie put a finger to her chin in thought. “Are you thinking he has something to do with these strange anomalies too?”

I raised my shoulders. “To be honest, I cannot think of another being on Wünder who would be capable of understanding these machines. You might have heard the Hatter is a genius—or at least, he used to be, when he was still in touch with reality.”

Concession in his sober gaze, Gregory tilted his head. “If that is your decision.” He turned to his sister. “Sophie, we must return to our kingdom. A great many things need our attention for the reconstruction. We must also make our people aware of what is going on, and find out more about this affliction, investigate those villagers.”

“Agreed.” Sophie nodded. “We cannot fight what we do not know.”

My nods were just as eager. “Yes. If there is a way to reverse the effects of the machine, please, someone must find it.”

Gregory’s narrowed gaze slid toward the king for a moment, though his words were for me. “Are you able to give us any assurances that His Majesty will not take any action against our kingdom in the meantime? Give us a week, at least, to investigate this further.”

The king huffed. “In a week, I will have taken care of this issue myself.”

Sophie shook her head. “I believe we shall be doing the citizens of Wünder a great disservice if we do not try our best to first save them from this affliction, before choosing to end their lives.”

Wise words.

I couldn’t have said them better myself.

I tossed a prompting look toward the king.

His eyes shut for a moment, as if he already deeply regretted giving the matter any further thought. Even with the twitch of annoyance in his cheek, he grumbled his concession, “Fine. I shall continue with my investigation. However, I shall endeavor to kill only hostile ghosts. Not innocent citizens.”

Sophie bowed her head. “Your generosity in this matter reflects your magnanimity, Your Majesty.”

I almost snorted.