Unsurprisingly, the Earl of Emittaun decided to move up his family's departure. Marlena commented that this was both to save his daughter further embarrassment and to make sure Lady Jena had fewer opportunities to say something that might offend the royal family.
As Adam walked into the stable courtyard to bid farewell to the Emittaun party, he was surprised to find the group in complete disarray, rather than ready to depart. "What's happening?" he asked a palace guard nearby.
"One of the grooms vanished with one of the maids last night. Left a note saying they were leaving service. The family is beside themselves." The note of amusement in the guard's voice indicated that he had little love lost for the Emittaun nobles, and Adam wondered if he was the only one fool enough not to notice their boorish behavior right away. He shuddered and resolved to get Zebenia a special present.
"Always some drama, huh?" Karl walked up with his sister Maybelle. He was dressed for sparring. "Pamona's screaming was loud enough we could hear it in our chambers," he explained.
"And it's not like servants don't run off together," Maybelle added. "Even if the maid was the most amazing hairdresser in Eternia, and he was the best groom, I don't think this is cause for such a fuss. Especially not by Pamona, it's her sister's maid."
Adam froze for a moment. Pamona…a groom…. "Excuse me," he said to one of the Emittaun guards milling around the courtyard. "Is the groom who's missing tall, with curly black hair, and fairly young?"
The guard nodded. "Yes, it's Peter. Do you know him?"
Adam deliberately made his shrug casual. "I remembered seeing him around."
He turned and indicated for Karl and Maybelle to follow him to the side. "Pamona told me she had a paramour who her parents would throw a fit over if they knew. And she dragged the missing groom along with us into our city shopping trip for no reason…I wonder if he's her secret lover?"
Karl frowned. "Then why would he run off? And with another woman?"
Maybelle gave Karl a disgusted look. "Think. Either Pamona said she was going to reveal what was going on to her parents – in which case he'd be dismissed, flogged, or maybe even killed – or maybe he didn't want to be her paramour but couldn't figure a way out? I could see her starting a forbidden affair for the excitement of it and not caring what would happen to the man if it got found out."
Adam nodded. "She was talking about it so loudly when we were in the market, I wonder now if she was doing it to goad him."
Maybelle shrugged. "Well, our theory isn't going to help anyone now. We have no proof, and hopefully the groom and maid are far enough away that they can put this all behind them."
Just then Capsim entered the courtyard and clapped his hands for silence. "My father has asked me to tell you to be prepared to depart in three hours." He paused and looked over at Adam. "And, with the Prince's permission, I will ask the kitchen to bring out some food so you can leave with full stomachs." Adam nodded, and there were murmurs of thanks and appreciation all around.
Capsim and Karl went to relay the message to the kitchens, leaving Maybelle with Adam. Adam wondered if that was deliberate, because with Androma around, Maybelle hadn't yet had an opportunity to speak with him privately. She, however, didn't seem to need to chatter, a fact that Adam appreciated.
They stood in companionable silence until Karl returned, then the three chatted about inconsequential matters until the sandwiches arrived and were distributed.
Adam was just about to suggest to Karl and Maybelle that they find something else to do until the Emittaun party departed, more maids and valets appeared, carrying out the last pieces of luggage. "That's a good sign," Karl said.
The Earl and Lady Jena and their three daughters, with Capsim trailing behind, entered the courtyard, and a few moments later the King, Queen, and Karl and Maybelle's parents arrived as well. Androma and Pamona's eyes were red but both looked more angry than sad, Adam noted. Everyone said their goodbyes, Capsim helped his sisters and mother into their carriage as the Earl mounted his horse, and the Emittaun party finally departed.
"Still your favorite part?" Karl asked his sister wryly as the gates closed.
"Huh?" Adam said.
Maybelle smacked her brother on the arm. "Ignore him."
Karl smiled grimly at Adam. "The older Emittaun girls are always mean to Maybelle whenever we've had to interact with them. So whenever they leave or we leave them, Maybelle says it's her favorite part of the visit."
Adam crossed his arms. "Why on earth didn't someone tell me how awful they were before I made a fool of myself with Androma?"
"We didn't want to be gossips," Karl replied. "And you were smart enough to figure it out anyway."
Capsim, who had been speaking with Karl's father, came over. "Prince Adam, I apologize. I think Androma damaged some of your chess pieces."
"Are you sure you didn't put her up to it? We know you love to play chess," Karl teased the younger boy.
Capsim colored slightly but didn't back down. "And while it seems we won't become related, I hope we will remain friends." He stuck a hand out to Adam, who clasped it.
"There's no doubt of that," Adam told him. The group walked out of the courtyard. "Just next time, tell her to throw some of the books on ancient runes instead. That's my least favorite subject."