“I know.” Alice flipped her pixie hair and winked.
Peter, who wasn’t nearly as extroverted, kindly smiled at me before leaving with the now empty tray.
Kuya grabbed a cupcake and bit into it. His head then shot toward the left, followed by a big, toothy grin.
“Good evening.” Prince Sawyer stopped in front of us and bowed his head. His white dress suit and red cloak gave him a regal appearance, especially when paired with the thin gold crown atop his golden hair.
“Good evening, my prince.” I returned the gesture. “Can I get you something to eat?”
“Gratitude for the offer, but I must decline.” He smiled. “The downside to wearing white. I’d end up wearing whatever I ate.”
I laughed. “You sound like me. I’m surprised I haven’t spilled anything on myself yet.”
Sir Noah, Ban, and Finnian stood a short distance behind him. The guards wore their usual armor, but Sir Noah was decked out in a dress uniform fit for a royal knight: gold embellishments on his wrist cuffs and an ornamental dagger sheathed at his hip.
“Your Highness.” Callum bowed his head and stepped closer. My cinnamon roll had been standing against the wall behind the dessert table ever since guests began piling in, never far from my reach.
“Lieutenant.” Sawyer greeted him with a nod. “I assume you’re guarding our Evan this evening?”
“Aye, sir. Captain Maddox is overseeing security of the grounds.”
“I have no doubt you’ll keep him safe,” the prince said. “Though please don’t forget to care for him in other ways as well. Such as joining him for a dance.”
The dimple showed in Callum’s cheek. “It would be an honor.”
Ban shifted in place. A subtle movement I would’ve missed had I blinked. His gray eyes flickered to me before lowering again. The middle of his brow crinkled.
“Are you boys hungry?” I asked. “I can put a good word in with the baker and slip you some cookies.”
“You’re much too kind, young Evan.” Finnian gave me a warm smile. “Yet, I regret to say we must decline your generous offer. At least for the time being.”
Ban’s shoulders seemed to slump.
Yep. I was going to sneak him one anyway.
“Kuya will eat the yummies in your place.” He hopped over to the dessert table and snatched a lemon cookie, running it beneath his nose. His long tail swished in the air as he tore into it. Crumbs dusted the front of his vest.
“Master Kuya,” an older man then said, appearing beside him. He had a thin gray mustache and wore rounded glasses, a black suit, and pointed, shiny black dress shoes. “Have you learned nothing from our lessons?”
Oh, so he must be the “mean old man” Kuya told me about who instructed him on etiquette.
With a squeak, Kuya bounded over and hid behind Sawyer. “Kuya has gone away.”
Sawyer stifled a laugh before addressing the older man. “Good evening, Professor Crane. I assure you that Kuya remembers all you taught him. He merely let his excitement get the better of him this once.”
Professor Crane puffed out his chest. “Master Kuya, you are to stand before me this instant.”
Slowly, Kuya inched over to him, the cookie crumbs still on his vest.
“Head up.” The man snapped his fingers.
Kuya obeyed.
“Now.” He rested both hands behind his back. “How should a gentleman behave when attending a royal ball?”
The demi-cat changed right before my eyes. He held his head higher, squared his shoulders, and dusted the crumbs off his vest. “My apologies, Professor Crane. It appears Prince Sawyer was correct. I let my gluttonous tendencies get the best of me. However, it won’t happen again.”
My jaw dropped.
