Vivian and Lydia walked away from Princess Madeleine, and I saw them whispering something to the other nobles. No doubt they were inviting the nobles to join Madeleine's mysterious game. I wished I could take back my decision. But Princess Madeleine kept holding my arm, pretending to be an old friend. Along the way, she talked to me about things that didn't matter. For example, her dog had overeaten meat and had gas in his stomach. She was so angry that she beat up the servant caring for the dog. Or that she had recently acquired new jewelry and fancy clothes.
Before I knew it, she led me down long corridors and finally to a closed room. Princess Madeleine looked at the guards standing outside the door, and they immediately opened it. Madeleine took my hand and entered the room filled with candles.
