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Asking a stranger if they’ve seen the prince feels so weird, but I stop the next server. “Entschuldigung. Haben Sie Prinz Teo gesehen?” The uniformed woman gives me a blank stare. With a flash of understanding, I realize my mistake. Teodor isn’t his royal name. But what is it? We’ve never called him anything else… It comes back with a click. “Sorry, I mean, Prince Sebastien.”
She shakes her head. “I’m just a temp. They don’t let me near the royalty.” Her accent is American.
“Wait—I know you. Sally, right? You’re in my business class! It’s me, Eva Hertzsprung!”
She does a double take, then laughs and lowers her tray to lean closer. “I didn’t think I’d know anyone here, so I didn’t even look at your face. How’d you score an invite? And dang, that’s an amazing dress!”
I smooth a self-conscious hand down my hip. “It is, isn’t it? Andi—Princess Andela—loaned it to me. She and Teo are friends from back home.”
Sally’s brows come down. “The prince and princess are friends from back home in the States? That sounds like a story.”
“I’ll tell you next week. I need to find Teo.” I pull my phone out of my beaded purse to check the time. “He’s leaving at midnight.”
She peers at the phone. “Two hours—plenty of time. Have you tried texting him?”
I stare at her, dumbfounded, then close my eyes. “Duh.” I send the text and wait. No bouncing dots, no “delivered” message. “He’s not answering.”
Sally puts her half-full champagne tray on a stack of empties, the glasses rattling and jiggling dangerously, then elbows me toward the staircase. “Let’s go up. You can see the whole room from there.”
“Don’t you have to serve?” I gesture at the crystal glasses as she pushes me away.
“I only took this job so I could get into the party. Mission accomplished. Let’s go find your prince.” She runs to the top of the staircase and leans on the stone balustrade, looking down at the assembled people. “What’s he look like?”
“Tall, dark, and handsome. Looks fantastic in a tuxedo.”
“That is super helpful.” She waves at the throngs of people below us. “Any distinguishing characteristics?”
“He’s hot. And young. And the Grand Duchess summoned him so he might be with her.” I gaze down at the crowd, tracking from group to group, trying to find them.
“Oh! You shoulda led with that. She left.” She points to the corner of the room that holds the stage. “They went out there.”
“They’re coming back, aren’t they?” I ask in panic.
She shrugs. “I suppose. It’s her party.” Sally’s gaze slides over my shoulder, then jerks. “I gotta go. That’s the boss.” She curtseys unsteadily. “Good luck, milady.” Casting another quick look over my shoulder, she darts down the stairs.
“Was that server bothering you, madam?” A woman dressed in a pencil skirt and dark jacket stops beside me, her clipboard clenched in her hand.
“What? No. I asked her to help me locate my friend. She was most helpful.” I turn to watch Sally disappear into the kitchen. “She deserves a raise.”
The woman gives me a shrewd look, makes a mark on her clipboard, and nods. “Thank you, madam. Have a pleasant evening.” Her shoes clack decisively as she trots down the steps.
I wander toward the double door. The heavy wood panels are folded tightly against the wall, leaving a wide, arched opening. Mistletoe hangs from the center. I hadn’t noticed it when we entered, but I can’t imagine someone added it later. How many couples passed underneath without taking advantage of the custom?
A clatter of high heels draws my attention to the left, where a narrow door hides in the shadow of the stairs. Andi bolts across the parquet floor toward the front doors, running as if she’s just stolen the crown jewels and is being chased by the royal guards.
“Andi!” I hurry down the steps.
She stops and turns. Her face is set, her jaw tight, her cheeks red.
“What’s wrong?” I take the last few steps too fast and nearly twist my ankle as I miss the last one.
Andi catches my arm before I fall. “That old witch! I’m done with this place! But you should probably—” She glares back the way she came.
I should ask my friend what she’s mad about, but I’m consumed with a need to find Teo. “Was your brother with you?”
“Yes! That’s the problem. You need to—” She breaks off with a sigh and swings around to drag me back toward the door in the corner. “Come on.”
She pushes the smooth door open and races down the long hallway. This is the gallery Lina and I visited on our tour of the castle—the one where I saw the portrait of Teo’s grandfather. A thick carpet runs down the middle of the shiny wood floor. Statues and suits of armor stand between the portraits, as if on guard.
