Chapter Forty-Eight

  Harmony's decision to invite Princess Rosalio join their informal pnning group olitical. With Len, Tyler, and Max after some pressure, all the boys will be there. Not having the final member of their kingdom's seles for the Asdant Games there would have sent mixed signals if anyone found out. And with journalists' progression on the lihey’d make it their busio find out.

  Harmony could picture the headlines now. White rejects royalty! fli the games! Harmony's private Harem!

  “Without my [Chivalry] skill, I don’t think I have the tools to write an invitation with the level of defereneeded for a princess, Harm.” Max protested weakly.

  That was a dodge. While teically true enough to meet his oath, Rose was not just "a princess," she was Max's training panion and former dueammate. Not that Harmony wao write the invitation. There was a ce her irritation and failure to yet reach a point of fiveness would bleed through her words.

  “I’ll write it!” Prince Adric popped in.

  “No!” Both Max and Harmony joiogether at once. Letters and penmanship were not his strong suit. As a scribe, Max ged whenever he saw the Priempt to pose and write as if it were a mortal insult to his profession. Which it probably was.

  Bates stepped in to end the debate. “Lady White. I’ll send a form letter. It will y personalized nature. But it will get the job done.”

  Maybe Rose would be insulted by that? If the princess couldn’t swallow some pride and accept this branch, then maybe they’d never mend the situatioween them. “Thank you, Bates. Your service is invaluable. See that it is done. I have dio attend.”

  At the diable [Keen Iigative Awareness] advahe most. The service portion of being a maid was where she had the least experience. Her stature had been an impediment there, as opposed to when they needed someoo fit into small cramped pces.

  The skill helped her figure out what the guests wanted from these meetings.

  “I was so disappointed when news broke about the kingdom’s spots already being assigned for this year's Asdant Games. Do you think this will happen every year, Lady White?”

  What Sir Watsford wanted was his ego stroked. Very ong men. “That depends oher someoracts Haz'el Ri’s attention in Old Bones. But this is all new and we will have to either wait and see or lobby guild master Hemlock. I'm sure that when you were at the right levels you could have attracted an invite from the dungeon spirit.”

  The man puffed up a little in his chair. “We've barely met, and you honor me. But you're right that I shined bright in my youth. There was oime that...”

  That should keep him happy for the rest of dinner. Dame Rockfoot had been harder to figure out. From the look nation when Harmony arrived, to her subdued ued tributions to the topics around the Asdant Games and Harmony’s new nobility. The referred to hum to herself, as though it kept herself calm.

  Ma Bell kept the versation going. “Watg Thorraining was certainly enlightening,” Harmony answered after a question about today’s visit. News of Max's bone-crag flop was sure to be out, painted as his or the team's failure depending on the narrative a journalist chose to push.

  While she’d satisfied most of the guests' desires at tonight’s meal. The sad Ms. Rockfoot lingered under her skill’s gaze. Maybe she was more disappoihan sad? Dinner could be a valuable skill training session.

  The dies being cleared away for the dessert service brought a bit of lull to the versation as the guests had to pte if they had enough spa their stomachs for what was to e. Dame Rockfoot’s humming carried faintly in that bit of silenough that Harmony heard a plete bar or two.

  A familiar tune. Not the on songs or childhood diddy’s everyone knew. [Recall] didn’t o tell her where she’d heard it. She’d dao that music. Had people t her o its beat. Listeo Ambrosia gripe and curse while trying to perfect the melody while sharing the tub.

  Ambrosia wasn’t here tonight. Shelly, another tract from the Harvest of Tale, was taking a turn at serving.

  This should turn that frown upside down.“Ms. Rockfoot, with your humming it seems you have an ear for music. I’m lucky enough to know some talents. How would you like a backstage visit with Songstress and the Flows?”

  The girl swayed in her seat for a sed, not breathing. “I…” Her eyes rolled back, and she colpsed unscious off her chair.

  “Oh, my!” Ma Bell excimed.

  [Keen Iigative Awareness] leveled. Maybe that was a bit overdone. Inn staff in their green and gold uniforms were already by her side usioration skills to try to wake the pirl up.

  Songstress and the Flows' popurity was getting bigger and chewing up more of Ambrosia’s time. Maybe it would be better to take her off the dinner service rotation and avoid fans trying to glimpse her this way?

  The staff mao revive the woman before the sweets arrived.

  "I'd cherish that opportunity, Lady White." Roao squeak out.

  While pg a chocote tort in front of Harmony, Shelly whispered, “Rose has firmed attendance.”

  Having the dessert now be slightly frozen py act that improved upon the dish. But clearly, there were still emotions to work through.