This novella is the sequel to A Taste of Gold and Iron, and takes place immediately following the events of the first book. It is told from Tadek’s perspective and switches between his present role as friend, confidant, and personal armsman to Kadou, and his backstory of growing up in the slums of Arrast.

The immediate threat of the attempted coup has passed, and Tadek accompanies Kadou and Evemer to a royal estate far from the capitol. Away from prying eyes, Kadou and Evemer can take advantage of the remote location and enjoy their honeymoon in secret. Tadek is the only other person who knows of their nuptials, so he bears the burden of running interference and covering for them when they disappear together for hours at a time.

At the estate, Tadek happens upon a portrait of the late Princess Mihrişah, Kadou’s mother. Tadek credits her with the life he has now, and he has never gotten over her death. In his spare time, Tadek stands vigil over the princess’s likeness. He ruminates on his early life as a street urchin and how his path was forever changed the day the princess took notice of him.

To earn food money as a child, Tadek worked as an unofficial runner for various government institutions. Positioned outside of the royal mint, he caught the attention of the princess. Recognizing that he was bright, she encouraged him to apply to the cadet academy. This was the first time any adult had shown any interest in him. She and her guards gathered up some silver for him, which he used to purchase food, a book, and a reading lesson from a retired teacher in his neighborhood. Once he made it into the academy, it was his life’s goal to serve the princess with honor and one day join her retinue.

Although it wasn’t what I expected, I still enjoyed this novella. Tadek’s backstory was somewhat interesting, but his present challenge of simultaneously waiting on Kadou and Evermer while disappearing before the two lovers forgot he was within earshot was the funniest part of the book. Tadek is one of my favorite characters and I thought that the novel would focus on his love life or current predicaments. This is a perfectly good follow-up from the first novel, but nothing important is missed if you choose not to read it.