The ballroom was a cavern of gold and crystal, with mirrors lining the walls that multiplied the candlelight from three massive chandeliers into a galaxy of dancing flames. I stood at the entrance, tugging self-consciously at the neckline of my gown, convinced that everyone could tell I had no idea what I was doing.

  The dress was... a lot. Deep emerald silk that rustled with every step, with sleeves that were somehow both off-the-shoulder and long, and a skirt that required me to hold it up to avoid tripping over the hem. The bodice was decorated with tiny pearls that caught the light, and I was fairly certain the whole thing cost more than most people's houses. I felt like I was wearing a costume, playing dress-up in someone else's life. It was also hard to walk in without tripping over.

  Dekka trotted beside me, looking far more comfortable with formal attire than I felt. Her matching emerald ribbon was tied in an elaborate bow around her neck, the silk gleaming against her white fur. She held her head high with the dignity of a queen, apparently unbothered by the stares we were attracting.

  As I entered the room an ornately dressed servant called out over the din “Lady Elizabeth and Companion.”

  The music did not stop, but the buzz of conversation did. It fell, sharp and sudden, and every single head in the room turned to look.

  They were like a flock of predatory birds. The hall was filled with nobles, men in severe, expensive doublets of black and grey, and women in a rainbow of gowns even more extravagant than mine. They stared, their eyes raking over me, taking in the ill-fitting (but clearly expensive) dress, the tan of my skin, and the small, two-eyed "monster" standing at my feet in its own absurd bow. I could see the whispers begin, hands rising to cover smirking mouths. I was the evening's entertainment.

  I forced myself to stand straight, ignoring the pinch of the corset, and scanned the room.

  Lord Ashford stood near the massive, unlit fireplace, holding a glass of wine. He was deep in conversation with a stern-looking older woman, but his cold eyes met mine across the room. He gave a single, curt nod, a command more than a greeting.

  Beside him stood Sera. She looked lovely in a fragile way, wearing a gown of light blue that made her look even more like a piece of fine porcelain, beautiful but meant to be displayed behind glass.

  But as I watched, she turned her head, her gaze drifting over the crowd with a look of such profound, suffocating sadness that I felt an immediate, profound pity for with her. She looked as trapped as I felt.

  Ignoring the looks I was getting I scanned around and spotted the main attraction. At one end of the hall, opposite the musicians and looking profoundly uncomfortable in formal livery, stood what had to be the largest human being I'd ever seen. The guard was easily six and a half feet tall with shoulders that strained against his ceremonial jacket. The other end of the key's chain was wrapped around his thick wrist, the silver links looking almost delicate against his massive forearm. His eyes constantly scanned the crowd with professional wariness. The other end of the chain led to a small velvet cushion on a plinth beside him. And on that cushion, gleaming under a carefully directed beam of light, was the key.

  “Stay close,” I told my dog. I wasn’t sure but I think the game was changing her the way it was changing me. Dekka seemed to be more than she used to be.

  She looked up at me and blinked. Then trotted off to see if people had snacks they were willing to share. Too bad there were no children here to call her ‘oggy’. The bow was doing its work again. She got a few glances but none of the noble NPCs reacted with more than curiosity.

  My skirts made a lot of rustling noise as I walked towards the table laden with food. There was no way I was sneaking anywhere tonight. A servant came by supporting a tray of pale apricot drinks in crystal goblets. He paused to let me take one. If this was the opulence of a lord what would the king’s palace be like?

  The drink was amazing. Fruity, slightly tart and with just the right amount of fizz. I sipped it and walked around as if admiring the tapestries and paintings on the wall. But really I was watching to see who went near the key.

  The only issue was it looked like everyone stopped to look at the key. Some even touched it as they gossiped. I heard snippets of conversation as I did my circuit.

  “Terrible tragedy.”

  “That key just looks ordinary to me. Though what could be in the box?”

  “I saw him that night you know.”

  I paused when I heard: “I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but I can’t say I am surprised. I never liked him.”

  I stopped nearby the chatting couple. Hoping the speaker would say more. But their companion just shushed them, and they started talking about some taxation issue I didn’t follow.

  Ending up by the key I looked down on it myself. An elderly dowager was beside me. But I got the impression she was admiring the guard more than the key.

  “You must be the traveller who is going to help Lord Ashford.”

  I jumped. I don’t know why but I hadn’t expected anyone to talk to me.

  “That is my hope.” I went to take a sip of the drink and realised it was empty.

  She motioned a waiter over so I could exchange my empty glass for a new one. This time the liquid was a light amber.

  “Just one tragedy after another,” the old dame said shaking her head cause carefully coiffed curls to bounce and sway.

  “What do you mean?”

  She made a tsking sound and lead me off away from the key. “Oh, the death of the Lord’s cousin and wife. Now this.”

  Another guest came over. “Is Lady El?ren monopolizing you?”

  I looked over the woman who asked. She was comfortably middle aged with sparkling eyes and pleasant smile.

  “Oh hush now,” Lady El?ren said, but she said it with a quick smile.

  “I am Lady Vitessa,” she gave me a slight curtsy.

  Well this seemed perfect. Two bored gossipy socialites. “Hello,” I said and smiled at both of them. “This is such a big mystery.” I lowered my voice conspiratorially. “Do you ladies have any suggestions on who I should be watching.”

  Lady Eloren chuckled. “All of us really.” At my confused look she continued. “Oh that box was rumoured to have all sorts of blackmail kept in it. I am sure many at court, and other courts would want the contents of the box. Either to destroy it or profit off it.”

  “Or both,” Added Lady Vitessa.

  Well weren’t they a fount of knowledge.

  “Anyone that you think I shouldn’t waste my time on?”

  “Hmm, that is a better question my dear,” Said Lady Eloren. “I think really the only safe person would be Lady Sera.”

  “Yes, the poor thing.” Lady Vitessa looked over at the aforementioned daughter of the Lord sympathetically. “She has had it very hard since her mother died. Her father intends her to wed the Earl of Asikar.”

  That didn’t seem inherently terrible, if she wasn’t happy here, an escape might be nice. Arranged marriages were what the nobility did, wasn’t it? “Aren’t Earl’s higher status than Lords? Seems she is marrying up.”

  The ladies both looked at me. “Well yes,” Lady Vitesse said. “But the Earl is an old man. And very,” she looked to her friend. “How do I put this. He’s not a handsome man and does not make up for it with kindness or wit.”

  “Oh,” I too looked over a the delicate young woman with sympathy.

  I changed tack. “So no one, other than the Lord and the victim, know what is in the box?” The ladies nodded. “Where is this box?”

  The looked unsure. “I would guess it could still be in the attendant’s quarters.” Lady El?ren said.

  I thanked them and said I should go pay my respects to Lord Ashburn. I found him in deep discussion with some men. So I drifted over to say hello to Sera while I waited.

  “That is a beautiful dress you are wearing.” I gave a small curtsy. I was not graceful.

  She looked down at it as if she didn’t remember what she had bothered to put on. “Oh yes I guess it is.” Her voice was soft and melodic.

  “Do you know anything about the recent events?”

  “I’m sure I wouldn’t know.” She said but she fiddled with a bit of lace on her dress.

  Was that a tell or was she just shy. I had no idea. This seemed much simpler when I was reading a cozy mystery.

  “Hello Elizabeth,” I felt a touch at my elbow. It was Lord Ashburn. I did notice Sera’s face go carefully blank as soon as her father’s attention was turned our way. “Where is your delightful companion?”

  “Likely out hunting for canapes.” I said, but realising how long it had been since I had seen her. Would it be uncouth to call for her? Would it be uncouth to let an opportunistic terrier roam a formal event? I decided to call her, but politely.

  I whistled softly. “Dekka” I called out barely louder than a normal speaking voice. If she was around she would hear. I heard a couple of startled exclamations and she must have been on the far side of the dance floor and was taking the most direct route toward me.

  She seemed disappointed I wasn’t calling her so we could sample the food. The only reason I think she hadn’t jumped up on the table and helped herself is that her legs are too short and she didn’t want to turn into a hellhound in polite company. That was very civilized of her.

  “You are the goodest girl and we are going to get snacks right after this, ok?”

  She looked up a moment at me then wagged her tail. “Deal,” she seemed to be signalling. She turned and sat looking politely up at the men. I curtsied again, this time on behalf of my dog, who wouldn’t have bowed or curtsied if she could.

  “This is my companion Dekka.”

  “What an odd creature.” One said.

  “Kind of cute in it’s own way.” Said another.

  “What is it’s purpose?” Asked the third.

  “What purpose does anyone have?” I asked philosophically. “She is my companion; she keeps me company. If you were to ask her what she thought her purpose would be I would hazard she would say it would be to eat plenty of good food, hunt, and sleep in a warm bed.

  The first man, a robust fellow roared with laughter. “Sounds like a creature after my own heart.”

  I smiled politely at them. “Excuse me Lord Ashburn, may I have a moment I would like to ask you something.”

  The other men taking the hint wandered off. No one was over at the buffet table, so we walked over there. For privacy and so I could fulfil my promise.

  “Everyone seems to be coming over to look at the key,” I said to him, feeding Dekka some chicken on a napkin I set on the floor. “I haven’t noticed anyone spending more time, or anyone avoiding it.”

  “I had noticed the same thing.” He said looking over at the key on the plinth.

  “I was wondering. Is the box safe? Could the murderer just steal the box and get into it another way?”

  He gave me a thin smile. “You are clever.” I didn’t think it was that clever, just an obvious step. “But no, it is an enchanted box. The only way in is to unlock the lock. It is impervious to all other methods of ingress.”

  I frowned briefly. “Do you know who most benefits by the contents of the box.” I was thinking back to what the ladies had said. But I caught a look that ghosted across his face. If I hadn’t been looking closely for a reaction, I would have missed it.

  He had looked almost angry.

  “There are many in the court who would like access to something in the box. It has all sorts of legal documents and letters.” He waved his hand as if it were of no real importance.

  The man did not fool me. Something was up. I wanted to see the contents of the box. I wondered about just asking directly. But if he said no I was stuck.

  Better to beg forgiveness than risking being denied permission.

  I fed Dekka a couple of eggs as the Lord returned to mingling with his guests.

  As if summoned by my thoughts about family secrets, Sera appeared at my elbow. Up close, she looked even more fragile than from across the room, her blue gown making her skin seem almost translucent.

  "Your companion really is charming," she said, crouching slightly to look at Dekka, who was still working her way through the chicken on the napkin. "I've never seen anything like her."

  "She's one of a kind," I agreed, watching as Sera tentatively reached out to pet Dekka's head. My dog, ever the politician when food was involved, allowed the attention gracefully.

  "Could she... could she have a sweet?" Sera asked, glancing up at me with hopeful eyes. "There are some lovely candied apples over there, and some hard toffees. Cook makes the most wonderful confections."

  I followed her gaze to a side table laden with an impressive array of sweets. Among them were several trays of what looked like hard candy - some shaped like fruits, others in more elaborate forms. My mind began racing.

  "That's very kind of you," I said, studying the candies more closely. They appeared to be made of some kind of hard sugar or toffee, solid enough to hold fine details. "Those look quite... substantial."

  "Oh, they are. Cook prides herself on them. She can make them in any shape you like - flowers, animals, even jewelry if you ask nicely." Sera's face lit up slightly as she talked about the confections. "She's been like a second mother to me since... well, since Mother died."

  An idea crystallized in my mind, but I needed to know more first. "Sera, can I ask you something? Do you know what's in that box everyone's so interested in?"

  The change in her expression was subtle but unmistakable - a flicker of something like fear, quickly suppressed. "I... Father says it's just documents. Legal papers."

  "But you don't think that's all, do you?"

  She glanced around nervously, then leaned closer. "Something's been strange lately. Father's been... different. More tense. And he said something odd about my marriage."

  "Your marriage?"

  "To the Earl of Asikar." Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "He's an old friend of Father's, but he said the arrangements couldn't be finalized until this matter was resolved. But I don't understand why legal documents about the estate would affect my betrothal. Not that I am all that displeased at the delay, he's so terribly old."

  I felt a chill. Whatever was in that box, it was serious enough to put a noble marriage on hold. "What do you think it really is?"

  "I don't know."

  I made a decision. "Sera, I have an idea. But I'm going to need your help."

  Her eyes widened. "My help? But I don't know anything about solving mysteries."

  "You know this household better than I do. And you mentioned that the cook is fond of you." I gestured toward the candy table. "How difficult would it be to get her to make something specific? Something... detailed?"

  Sera followed my gaze, and I could see understanding dawn in her eyes. "You want to copy the key."

  "I want to make an impression. Something we could use to..." I paused, realizing I was about to suggest something that could get us both in serious trouble. "Something that might help us understand what's really going on."

  "That's... that's very dangerous," she whispered biting her lip, but her eyes sparkled. "If Father found out..."

  "Then we don't let him find out." I looked at the massive guard still standing beside the key display. "The question is, how do we get close enough to make an impression without that mountain of a man noticing?"

  Dekka, who had finished her chicken and was now eyeing the candy table with professional interest, wagged her tail. Sometimes the best plans were the simplest ones.

  "I think," I said, "I might have an idea."