The opportunity came two days later, on the fourth day and halfway through the selection. At that point, no candidates had been kicked out of the selection yet, but Countess Margaria D'Orphira had apparently taken ill and been sent home (rumor was that her morning tea had been poisoned), and Aloysia De Banksea had changed rooms twice on account of finding some bugs in her bedroom. There were also talks between the maids of ripped garments and stolen hairpins, and many, many rumors were going around; so many that Theora couldn't keep up with them all, though she seriously doubted that Lady Phenicia was secretly a man or Janessie De Narcissus had a sixth toe. What she did believe, however, was that the candidates were doing everything they could to find information about the selection ceremo
