“You look very lovely,” Stella said, eyeing the silver beading forming a scalloped pattern that looked almost like chain mail on her bodice.
Though Alexandra rarely wore anything but her leather armor, she looked just as at ease in the elegant dress that showed off her tall, slender body and a daring amount of cleavage.
Stella looked at the crowd. “Where is Aunt Isla?”
Juliana and Alexandra exchanged a look. “She’s gone away for a while.”
“Away?” Kate asked. “Like on a mission?”
King Xander’s consort, Isla, had long been the general of the Argarian army and had shared responsibility for Argaria’s network of spies with Evan Farlan.
Alexandra swiped a glass of bubble wine from a passing tray and took a long sip, refusing to meet Stella’s gaze. It was no secret that Alexandra idolized Isla. She’d spoken of going to the elite Novumi warrior academy, Callemoore, every summer visit since she was old enough to hold a weapon because she wanted to be trained in the same way the consort was.
Juliana cleared her throat. “No. Not a mission. Perhaps more permanent this time. Our father was forced to make a difficult decision and relieve her of her duties.”
Alexandra scoffed. “You mean to bend to the will of weaker men.”
Juliana glared at her. “You know well that a king cannot rule without the allegiance of his people, Alex. We should at leastsupporthim even if we don’t agree with his choices. Or is granting a loved one the grace to make their own mistakes a courtesy that you expect us to only extend to you?”
Stella stared at them. The two princesses were so different, but never so publicly at odds with each other.
“I don’t understand,” Kate said. “Isla is such an asset. She’s a legend. Why would he relieve her of her duties?”
Juliana cast a wary glance around the party and sipped her wine. “Old prejudices die hard. She’s been in the role a long time, but there are still men who are too proud to fight and train beneath a woman, especially a foreign woman.”
“Men would rather let their kingdom be overrun with rebels than follow a woman into battle. The decades change, but the men stay the same,” Alexandra said bitterly.
Stella’s gaze slid to the king. Xander looked as jovial as always,smiling indulgently at Cecilia as they sat down at the table. There was an ease between Cecilia and the king that spoke of a long and intimate history. Stella had always wondered why it didn’t bother her father more, but Rainer seemed entirely content watching the two of them. She supposed he was still riding the high about the baby news. Stella was the only one in the family feeling any semblance of apprehension. Even her mother, who was sick every day, seemed to be in great spirits.
Kate followed her gaze and whistled. “Gods, your father looks incredible. I love when he rolls up his tunic sleeves like that. Those forearms are so?—”
“Kate!” Stella snapped. Her best friend was so good at interrupting awkward conversations with even more awkward ones. “How many times do I have to tell you not to talk about him like that? It grosses me out.”
Juliana smothered a laugh, and Alexandra smirked.
Kate shrugged. “I don’t know why you’re grossed out. You have half those good looks.”
Stella rolled her eyes. “Stop it or I’ll start flirting with your brother.”
Kate gasped in faux shock, her hand coming to her heart. “You wouldn’tdare.”
“Why not? He’s one of the most eligible bachelors in Olney.”
Kate made a gagging noise. “Don’t remind me. If one more lady tries to initiate a friendship with me just to ask about him, I’m going to lose it.”
Kate’s brother, Gregory, was handsome, but Stella had once seen him tell a lady that her eyes were as brown as mud, so his idea of romance might need some work.
A bell rang, the signal for the guests to take their seats, and Stella was saved from any more awkwardness with the princesses.
She walked up alongside the table, searching for her name card and finding it toward the head of the table, only a few seats down from Arden. When he spotted her, he rounded the table and pulled out her chair.
He looked so handsome in his hunter-green tunic. His tan skin glowed in the candlelight.
“You look gorgeous,” he whispered as he pushed her chair in for her. “Just a few more days until I can show the world you’re mine.”
Stella fought a smile, trying to keep her face neutral as he walked back to his place at the table and the king of Olney stood to speak.
Kate sat down beside Stella. “Ready for the corny speech?”
