Marek bowed and left.
“Rema and I will leave directly after the ball for Emperor’s City. Not only is our largest military base located there, but Audek has arranged for us to meet Nathenek there with, well, with someone we need to meet up with.” He shook his head and rubbed his temples. “Decoys will be put in our places here.”
Neco nodded. “And the princess?” he asked.
Darmik’s eyes fell on Allyssa again. Fury and disappointment shone on his face and she ducked her head, unable to meet his gaze.
“Everyone knows she’s to travel to Fren next week. We can’t change that without altering the agreement.” He moved around the desk, standing next to his daughter. “Allyssa, you and Prince Odar will leave with Marek and an elite guard tomorrow night.”
Shock rippled through her. If she left tomorrow night, then she couldn’t meet the assassin. What would happen to Grevik?
“Is there a problem?” Darmik asked.
“I’m not going with you and Mother?”
He shook his head. “We must preserve the royal line. If anything happens to us, you will be Empress of Emperion.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “You will leave without anyone knowing. I’ll put decoys in your and Odar’s places. Then, a week later, the decoys will make a big show of leaving, drawing the assassin out after them.”
“What’s going to happen to the decoys?” she asked.
He looked pointedly at her. “Their job.”
She couldn’t bear the thought of someone dying for her. It didn’t seem fair—her life wasn’t any more precious than anyone else’s.
“These plans do not leave this room,” Darmik continued.
“And what of my daughter?” Neco asked. “If Marek is traveling with the princess, what about Mayra?”
Darmik went back around his desk and sat down again. “She needs to stay here with the decoys.”
Neco gave a curt nod. “And where can I best serve you?” he asked.
“I need you with Rema and me.”
“I’ll start making the necessary arrangements.” He bowed and left the room.
“Anything else?” Allyssa asked her father. She needed to speak with Jarvik as soon as possible about trying to save Grevik. Maybe there was something they could do tonight after the ball.
“When you arrive at Fren, charm the king and queen so you can receive their approval immediately. A simple ceremony will be held, and you will marry Prince Odar. As soon as it’s done, Marek will send word. I’ve already made plans with Jarvik to coordinate Fren’s soldiers joining with ours.”
She wasn’t going to be married here in Emperion? Her parents weren’t even going to be there? Not knowing what to say, she stood and went to the door, feeling numb.
“Allyssa,” Darmik said, stopping her. “Keep Marek with you at all times. Besides him, you can trust Jarvik. You’ll be well protected. I promise.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, “for deceiving you.”
“This isn’t a punishment, by any means.” He rubbed his face. “Your mother and I have withheld certain information from you in order to protect Emperion. We never meant to deceive you either. I’ll forgive you, if you forgive us.”
“What haven’t you told me?” she asked. “Does it have to do with Audek and Nathenek?”
“Yes, it does. However, I have a lot to do to prepare for my departure tonight,” he said. “And we need to have this conversation with your mother.”
Allyssa nodded and left, wondering what her parents and Audek were hiding, and who Nathenek was.
“That’s not the gown I designed with the seamstress,” Allyssa said to her ladies-in-waiting.
“I know,” Madelin replied. “Neco arrived while you were bathing and said your father insisted you wear this dress tonight.”
Allyssa eyed the pale pink fabric. “I don’t care for that particular color.”
“Perhaps it will look better once it’s on,” Mayra suggested. “These long gloves came with it, too.”
“Gloves?” She never wore gloves.
Madelin nodded. “We were told to make sure you wore them. Neco wants your hands covered at all times.” Because of the assassination threat, he probably didn’t want her skin exposed to poisons.
Once she was in the gown, it wasn’t nearly as bad as she thought it would be. The dress was simple, yet elegant. There were several hidden pockets in the folds of the fabric from her waist down, concealing a handful of daggers. The top was form-fitting and covered by an intricate lace, leaving her neck and shoulders bare. Madelin had artfully twisted Allyssa’s hair on top of her head, showcasing her delicate diamond crown.