Duchess was so startled that she honked!
Because the Common Room was bathed in evening silence, Duchess’s honk sounded louder than it usually did. She was mortified. It was bad enough that she’d honked in front of the prince of her dreams, but if she wasn’t able to change her destiny, then she’d be making that sound for the rest of her life.
“Sorry,” she told him. “I didn’t mean to fall on you.”
“No need to apologize for fainting,” he said as he sat in a leather chair. “I’m used to it. It’s one of the many effects I have on girls.”
“Uh, I didn’t faint. I tripped on something.” She looked down. His sword lay on the carpet. Then she noticed he was wearing pajamas that were embroidered with the Charming family crest. A dragon-shaped pillow was tucked under his arm. “Are you sleeping out here?”
“I was trying to,” he said. “All that serenading under my window makes it hard to sleep, so I came here to find some peace and quiet. Don’t get me wrong—I love the adoration, but even a perfect prince needs rest.”
And needs a perfect princess, she thought.
She stood there, staring at his handsomeness. His jawline was so strong it looked as if it had been chiseled from granite. The straightness of his nose was indisputable. And his locks were so thick and wavy a cricket could surf on them!
“You play?” he asked, his gaze falling on the card deck in her hand.
“No,” she said, momentarily forgetting why she’d come to the Common Room.
“Then why are you holding that deck?”
Oops. “Um, well, Lizzie loves cards.” She immediately regretted mentioning her roommate’s name, because Daring’s eyes got really wide and he took a deep breath.
“You know Lizzie?”
“Yeah, I’m her roommate.” Feather dusters! Would this guy ever remember who she was? Would she have to always reintroduce herself?
“You room with Lizzie?” He darted to his feet. “Then can you explain something to me? I offered Lizzie the opportunity to accompany me on a stroll, but I fear she did not understand the situation. You see, there is currently a waiting list for this privilege, but I am willing to scoot her to the front of the line. Clearly, she only needs to be informed of this fact, and then she will accept my invitation.”
Duchess frowned. Was Daring that dense? Was it impossible for him to believe that a girl didn’t want to date him? “I don’t think Lizzie’s interested,” she said gently.
“Not interested?” He looked completely baffled. If this was his biggest conundrum, then he truly lived a charmed life. “But…”
Was Duchess supposed to give him relationship advice? Hello? What about me?
“I could take a stroll with you,” she said with a wave of courage.
“The waiting list is hanging on my door. Feel free to add your name.” Then he sank onto the chair and sighed, as if his heart were breaking.
Duchess squeezed the card deck, her face flushing. Was she angrier at Lizzie for stealing Daring’s heart or at Daring for not noticing her own heart? No way would she ever add her name to a waiting list. After she was declared Next Top Villain and she graduated to Advanced Villainy, she’d learn how to make a love potion and she’d spray it all over him, and when he fell in love with her, she’d tell him to put his name on a waiting list!
No longer caring if she was heard, Duchess stomped out of the Common Room.
Lizzie was still snoring. Pirouette had returned and was settled in her nest. Duchess crossed the room, careful to step over the messy piles of clothing and shoes. Then she stood beside Lizzie’s bed. Luckily, Lizzie had rolled away from the pillow and was sleeping sideways. Carefully, Duchess reached under the pillow, where Lizzie had stashed her Wonderland deck. Immediate pain shot through her finger. She pulled out her hand to find two little tooth marks and two drops of blood.
Shuffle!
Duchess pushed the pillow aside. The hedgehog was lying on top of the card deck. “Give me that,” she whispered. Shuffle glared at her. Then the critter wrapped her arms around the deck. A little tug-of-war ensued. “In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m bigger than you.” After a few shakes, Shuffle flew across the room and landed with a soft plop in a pile of towels.
Her finger throbbing, Duchess opened the Wonderland box and removed the deck of cards. Then she slid the school deck into the box. Lizzie was always in such a hurry in the morning, she never took the time to look inside the box. Why would she? No one had ever replaced her cards.
After tucking the Wonderland box back under the pillow, Duchess hid the real deck in Lizzie’s desk, to make it look as if Lizzie had misplaced it. Lizzie would eventually find it, just not tomorrow morning. The deed was done.
After bandaging her finger, Duchess stood at the open window. Tomorrow, Lizzie would be out. She’d be embarrassed when her card trick didn’t work. She’d be furious when she discovered that her own roommate and friend had double-crossed her. But even with a fairy-fail on her record, Lizzie Hearts would still inherit a kingdom, or at least live her life playing croquet and drinking tea on two human legs. So maybe she’d understand Duchess’s motives.
Maybe.
A dim light drew Duchess’s attention. She leaned outside. With Ginger, Faybelle, Sparrow, and Lizzie eliminated, only one competitor remained. And her light was still on.
It was time to see what Raven was planning.