Paper! Paperboy!

By sunset, Willem was standing in Roland's kitchen, scowling at his reflection in a polished metal plate.

"This is ridiculous," he grumbled, tugging at the borrowed tunic Elizabeth had insisted he wear. It was far too fine, the fabric soft and embroidered with subtle patterns. Willem felt like a pig in a silk blanket.

"You look like a proper gentleman!" Elizabeth declared, standing back to admire her handiwork.

"I look like I'm about to sell snake oil," Willem retorted.

Roland, who had been watching from the corner with an amused grin, chuckled. "Well, you don't look like yourself, that's for sure."

"That's the idea," Elizabeth said, tying a simple leather belt around Willem's waist. "Now all we need is a proper introduction."

"What kind of introduction?" Willem asked suspiciously.

Elizabeth cleared her throat and stepped back, adopting an exaggerated noble stance. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Willem Gilbur, esteemed scholar, scribe, and advisor to the Bellmore family."

Willem stared at her. "You're joking."

"Not at all," she said, smiling sweetly.

"Esteemed scholar?" he repeated, incredulous. "I sell newspapers! The only 'advising' I've ever done is telling Roland to stop burning his bread!"

"And look how much better his bread is now," Roland chimed in.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Trust me, no one in the capital will know the difference. Just act confident."

"Act confident?" Willem said, throwing up his hands. "What happens when they ask me to write something?"

Elizabeth paused, considering this. "Then you... improvise."

"Improvise?" Willem echoed. "Oh, great. I'll just doodle a chicken and hope they think it's poetry."

Elizabeth laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "You'll be fine. Besides, you've got me to back you up."

Willem sighed, glancing at Roland. "You hear that? She's dragging me into the lion's den, and I'm supposed to trust her to save me."

Roland shrugged. "She's got a point. You've been itching for adventure, and this sounds like one. Plus, you might even eat something fancier than bread."

"Bread is reliable," Willem muttered, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward.