Oh My, I Messed Up the Story

We spent as much time as we could visiting Ayana and Nyla over the next few months. They introduced us to the rest of the family and all of them were interested in reviving the Kanta clan when we brought up the possibility, which surprised me.

Nyla, Ido, Nira, and Rhea had all married citizens of Annalaias. But they were peasants so their lives wouldn't change much even if they did move. Nyla's husband was a milkman. Nira and Rhea's husbands sold vegetables in the market. Ido's wife stayed at home with the children all day and collected the eggs for him to sell from the chicken coop.

"We can keep doing exactly what we're doing now in the mountains," Ido said with a shrug. "I've always wanted to see where Mama grew up."

Just like that, we had eighteen people willing to revive the Kanta region with us. Ayana knew where a few other refugees had ended up as well and had minimal contact with them through letters. When we told her our plan, she sent out letters to them immediately.

If they all said yes, our numbers would be boosted significantly. Like Ayana, her escaped friends had families of their own once they settled elsewhere in Annalaias or Rowenhilde. Most of them had grandchildren and one even had great-grandchildren.

It took over a month for everyone to get back to her. All missed their homeland terribly and would go back in a heartbeat. Some of the younger generation was interested immediately. Others needed convincing.

But a few short weeks before court convened in the spring, we had no less than sixty-two members of the Kanta clan willing to move back to their homeland. I was completely floored, not expecting that much of a response.

More likely than not, there were still clansmen in other nearby countries as well. Once Franz was crowned king we would be able to send the news out to our allies so everyone could come home if they wanted to.

Al spent all of this time learning everything he could from Ayana about the mountains she used to call home. And the duties of the clan leader.

She could go on for hours about everything she had seen her father and brother do over the years. Her memory for detail amazed me. We might actually be able to revive the Kanta traditions from her alone.

During this time, Franz continued gathering support from the lower nobles. Marcy helped by getting in contact with merchants her father knew. I provided occasional ideas on how to make things work. We spent hours holed up in his chambers with a very pregnant Mariela going over everything.

The castle was still drafty and cold despite the snow melting outside so I continued wearing my sweater and skirt ensembles as I walked around. Nobody cared as long as I wasn't attending any official functions.

One day in March I wandered toward the kitchens looking for Marcy—Franz wanted to consult with her again—and I ran into someone I did not want to see. Duke Orla. He had come back from his estate early.

No doubt he was here to help further Sigmund's evil plans. The very sight of him gave me goosebumps.

"Princess Catherine," he said flatly. "I am glad to see you are well. What brings you to this part of the castle?"

I tried my best not to shudder and pasted on a polite smile. I hated being called princess or Catherine and the way this guy said it was even worse than usual. He was so stiff! I almost wanted to tell him to just call me Katie but that would give him the wrong idea.

What sort of guy would Charles Lancaster be in my world? I had wondered about the people around me many times and had a few ideas about them.

Mariela would have been a rockstar diplomat or politician. Al would have been a lazy grad student who never stops going to school to avoid getting a real job. Franz…I hadn't figured out yet. But Marcy would be one of those bakers who wins cash prizes on televised competition shows.

Duke Orla was so deeply entrenched in this world that I couldn't imagine him as anyone from mine. Except maybe one of those CEOs who was born and bred to take over the expensive and lucrative family business.

"Duke Orla," I replied evenly. "I felt like stretching my legs and taking a walk around the castle."

I didn't want to tell him where I was headed because it might give away the fact that someone from the kitchens was working with us. Al had offered to come with me but he was in the middle of reviewing what he knew about clan leadership.

I hadn't wanted to disturb him but I totally regretted that now. Having him here would definitely get this guy off my back sooner rather than later.

"Oh?" the duke asked with interest. "Do allow me to escort you then. Someone as esteemed as yourself should not be wandering the castle alone. You never know who you might run into."

Yeah, like you! I kept my thoughts to myself though. This guy already knew I didn't like him. There was no need to be rude. Unfortunately, I couldn't squirm my way out of this one.

Having a cell phone would be so nice at a time like this. I could fake a call to get away. Or text Al to come rescue me. Neither of those things were possible so I found myself walking around the castle with my least favorite person in this fantasy world.

I tried to think positive. Maybe I could get a read on what the duke was up to as we walked.

He didn't give me much to work with. This one was all about the small talk. I had always loathed small talk. Talk to me about what makes different types of clouds shaped certain ways or the history of cheese making or the mating dances of tropical birds. Anything but small talk.