We both took advantage of this stroke of luck and proceeded on our way. Soon after (thanks to the directory’s guidance), we arrived at the set of grand doors we’d been pursuing.
I began to go for their thick, brass handles, but Marie grabbed my arm before I could reach them. “Crisa, I am not sure I can go back in there.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
Marie plopped down on a bronze bench nearby and let out a weary sigh. “My shoes, they are broken. And just look at my dress; it is bustled in the front so you can completely see my bare feet. You know the rules of female protagonist gatherings—no skirt, no shoes, no service. Lady Agnue will put me on princess probation and kick me out of the ball on sight. That is, if the other princesses do not turn on me and toss me out themselve
