I, like many of my noble peers, had grown up hearing all manner of stories of North Sumbria.

  Everyone spoke with disdain about the splintered fragments of the once sprawling Sumbrian Empire that had broken into three territories; Sumbria in the south, the Kingdom of Servalt in the middle, and North Sumbria at Servalt's northwest tip.

  On the eve of Queen Terran’s ascension to the throne, the nobles of the Servalt region had revolted. The royal family had been forced to flee south while civil war broke out across the empire. The once great Forest of the Ancients had burned to the ground, and all that was left of the area today was a canyon stretching across the peninsula. It had been cut into the earth from a blast during the final battle, when Grand Duke Lysander and Pontiff Mathis, Sage of Aegis, had met in single combat to end the war.

  Both had perished, but not before Lysander had pushed the Pontiff all the way down to the Oaken Glades.

  The empire was officially broken, the Continental Council of Valaria granting Servalt its own kingdom status, and placing the new border halfway through the canyon. At the time, Servalt granted Grand Duchess Calisto, Lysander’s wife, autonomy to rule her own lands in honor of her husband’s sacrifice. She’d kept her duchy named North Sumbria, as a reminder of the blood debt.

  It made for an amusing map, with the bottom right side of the continent starting at Sumbria's elven forests, then a canyon up to Servalt, and then the duchy of North Sumbria above that.

  The only thing further North was the Icefields.

  With the sheer hatred that Grand Duchess Calisto felt towards Sumbria, she barely tolerated a Sumbrian visiting when she hosted the Continental Council. In twenty years, the grand duchess had never, not once, invited anyone from Sumbria to a ball or feast or festival… until now.

  “Your parents are waiting for you in the count's office.” Magenta announced.

  I stood, patting my hands on my skirts to calm my nerves. “Lead the way.”

  My highly anticipated days of quiet relaxation slipping through my fingers. As we walked, I told myself that maybe a vacation outside of the oppressive constraints of Sumbrian noble society might actually be cozy. If I actually got to go...

  I’d never traveled before, but I’d heard that the rest of the continent was more lax in general.

  When we arrived at Father's office, Magenta knocked once and let us in after hearing a summons from inside.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Our interactions were second nature by now. I executed a perfect curtsy to my parents, and they nodded in reply.

  Father was at his desk, his fist clenched so hard that his knuckles paled against his darker green skin. Mother stood to the right of his desk, her hands crossed in front of her and a scowl on her pretty face.

  “I just received the news.” I stated.

  Father frowned harder, his lips pinching in displeasure. Mother asked. “Do you know why?”

  It was a direct question; I answered just as straightforward, “No. I have no idea why the Grand Duchess of North Sumbria would be inviting me to her Spring Ball… do you?”

  It wasn't accusatory. I was genuinely curious.

  The count spoke first. “We do not– but it's true that you're one of the continent's most eligible young ladies, as it is custom to get betrothed before coming of age here… maybe it’s just never come up?”

  “Princess Liana came of age without a suitor eight years ago.” Mother reminded him about the crown prince’s cousin.

  “Maybe Her Grace has outgrown her grudge against us?” I offered. I’d been born during the destruction of the Sumbrian Empire, and only heard stories of the Civil War. It was over two decades past, and many people had moved on.

  Mother snorted. “Never. Calisto loved Lysander more than anything. I'm quite certain the only reason she’s still here is because of her children.”

  I glanced at my mother curiously, noting that she'd slipped and called the grand duchess by her given name. They must have known each other in their youth.

  Drawing myself up, I asked, “What would you have me do?”

  Both parents shared a look and even in this stressful moment, I felt a warmth in my heart that they were here. With me. Talking as a family. I had to work to stop a smile.

  “Nothing we can do.” Father sighed.

  Mother nodded, “until you get an actual invitation.”

  True.

  With that, we fell into silence.

  I broke it. “Thank you, Father. Mother. If there's nothing else, may I retire?”

  Mother looked at the clock on the wall above the doorway. “Actually, it's almost dinner. Shall we all go down together? I would like to plan how we'll reply to our esteemed royals should they make enquiries.”

  I followed my parents to the dining hall, happy for the first time in a long time.

  …

  The letter arrived early the following morning.

  There was quite a stir when the international teleport courier dropped off the letter for me, one Countess Peregrine Fern… and all of the staff, including the head butler, were holding their breath outside my door, waiting to find out what it said.

  I broke the seal and unrolled the scroll.

  Dear Countess Peregrine Fern

  It is with pleasure that I would invite you to my Spring Ball. You may bring with you one guest, and each of you may bring one attendant.

  Please find detailed instructions on the invitation slip which you will need to present when you arrive. If you would like to attend, please sign the invitation slip to let us know.

  I look forward to meeting the woman so highly regarded by our respected Madame Potts, and if you come early you are welcome to join me for afternoon tea before the festivities.

  Sincerely,

  Grand Duchess Calisto of North Sumbria

  The invitation slip had fallen out of the envelope and onto my lap, a golden paper illuminated with the date and time of the ball bold on the front.

  It was for five days later, and my name was in plain print for all to see.

  It looked like Madame Potts was once again right - I would be going to this year's Spring Ball.

  I didn’t sign it right away, but set off for father’s office.

  If only I wasn't so lazy, I'd go harvest the stuff myself...

  Also, I'm like 30 chapter ahead on