The Crown's Game (The Crown's Game, #1)

by Evelyn Skye

There was a long queue outside Bissette & Sons, Fine Tailors, full of the types of women who did not usually frequent queues but, rather, sent their servants to wait in their stead. “Pardon me,” Vika said to a woman in a fuchsia dress and matching hat. “What is the line for?” “The Masquerade Box. You stuff in your old hats and gowns and shoes, shut the door, and a few minutes later, you reopen the door, and a new outfit appears. But not just any clothes—a costume for the tsesarevich’s ball.” “Oh. How . . . fascinating.” Vika craned her neck. “Uh, do you know how it works?” “Rumor is there’s a hidden compartment in the bottom of the armoire. When you put in your unfashionable rags, they’re retrieved by the tsar’s men in the basement and replaced with the new costume.” The woman in line behind her—this one dressed in a gown the color of brick—leaned in and added, “I hear it’s because the tsarina is looking to find a wife for the tsesarevich. This way, all the eligible ladies will be impressively attired. I’m hoping for a particularly stunning costume for my daughter.” She looked toward the front of the queue to gauge how much longer she would have to wait. “Ah, I see. Thank you,” Vika said. She left, shaking her head. People would go through such incredible mental gymnastics to explain away the existence of magic.