Your Stepmother is suspicious but doesn't say anything

Thankfully the both of you look mostly innocent and decent by the time your stepmother sees you. Charlotte most definitely still has a painfully hard erection under her dress, but it is gratefully hidden within her puffy skirt packed away between the layers of fluffy linen of her petticoat.

Your stepmother says "There you are darling! I've had the servants out looking for you for ages." "You knowww you're not supposed to leave mommy's sight." She adds "or at least you're not supposed to leave mother's wing of the castle."

You respond nervously "uhh I just-"

She interrupts "What if something were to happen to you? You know your mother would be a wreck, so why would you scare me like that??"

You roll your eyes internally and think 'yeah, I'm sure you would be a realll wreck mother'.

Your stepmother seems to notice Charlotte for the first time, still straightening out her pink dress after pulling herself up from the ground.

Your stepmother says "Oh... and who might this be Samantha?"

Charlotte tries giving your stepmother one of her beaming genuine smiles and says "Your Grace!.." and gives her the deepest curtsy and bow you've seen yet from her. She continues in her proper elegant fashion "I'm Princess Charlotte of the Southern independent Futorian territories. It's a great honor to be in your presence my Queen."

Your stepmother narrows her eyes a bit while Charlotte's head is down and gives her a terse "Mmhmm".

Charlotte doesn't seem to notice the Queen's slight annoyance though and continues again "I'm so thankful for your hospitality at the Royal Capital in the coming months. Your Grace was the one to speak with my mother regarding finding me a suitor and host a Royal Ball in my House's honor."

Your stepmother replies "Oh, so you're the daughter of Kassandre?". "You're Province supplies the crown a great deal of gold, jewels, and precious minerals that are of great import to me." She unnecessarily adds "..the only reason I put up with your false monarchy and your insistance to call yourselves Queens, as if you rabble were on equal footing with the Futorian Empire."

Charlotte, the peaceful and skilled diplomat she was, just aborbs the barb and says sincerely "Yes your Majesty, we're very grateful and cherish our long-standing friendship with the crown."

Your stepmother snaps back "Hm. And do not ever forget it 'Princess'." "I plan on attending your Ball myself and ensure you are provided a suitable match."

Charlotte now straightens herself to her full height, nearly the identical height as you at 5'8". She says to your stepmother "I am looking forward to the event your Grace" and then more hesitantly says "Will Princess Samantha be allowed to attend as a female suitor?" Charlotte glances at you and gives you a knowing wink, thinking your stepmother couldn't see the gesture out of her line of sight.

You knew your wicked stepmother was a powerful woman and any cheeky gestures when she wasn't looking was just inherently a bad idea, not knowing what she was fully capable of. If she even had a slight suspicion that Charlotte knew you were a boy and actually a male heir to the throne, you worried she might be in serious danger.

Charlotte adds "I have grown quite fond of the Princess and would be honored if she could attend, even if it's just as a friend and fellow Princess herself".

Your stepmother gives a noncommittal "We will see. The Princess has a great deal of responsibilities to the crown and needs to be sheltered so she can one day provide a royal heir for the line of succession. Her suitor will be delicately hand-picked for this task."

Charlotte replies "I could give her a great many sons and daughters, with your permission your Grace. The mage healers in my Province would always tell me growing up how fertile and strong my seed was. Very potent and extremely high in volume and amount, they would say."

The Queen answers "I will consider your proposal, but I believe I have spoken on the matter for now. Now run along Charlotte, the Princess Samantha has a big day tomorrow for the passing of her 18th nameday."

Charlotte gives another deep bow and curtsy and then says goodbye "I bid you farewell your Grace.. and your Highness.", giving you in particular another adorable smile and runs along, now with a very noticeable skip in her step.

As soon as Charlotte is out of sight, your stepmother glances at you and says strictly "You will not be attending that young girl's Ball." "She is not from this kingdom, and you have other things to worry about dear."

You were clearly upset by this news but you bit back a retort and knew she wouldn't be able to keep you away from Charlotte that easy. You just give a single nod as your stepmother says "Now follow along my darling son, we have work to do in preparation for tomorrow's surprise event."

You followed your stepmother as you left the courtyard and trekked down the corridors, unsure where she was taking you.