My smile is wide when I sit back in my chair. The sound of dinner clanks behind us as three plates hit the table, the sight of the food nearly making me laugh in disbelief.
Smoked peppered trout.
I groan at the sight of it.
“Was that your stomach?” the Prince asks quietly, holding back a laugh.
“More like my mouth,” I admit honestly, “I had the same meal earlier today and it was outstanding.”
As is this bite.
“I think I’m going to ask Chef to make this for me when I get back.”
“If the food doesn’t involve cinnamon or something sweet, I doubt he’ll even consider it,” Keane replies with a smile.
“I hate how right you are about that,” I sigh.
“You had an eventful day today…”
“I did,” I smile, grinning at my well-spent day throughout Gaumond’s rises. My mind roams to the clanging of metal and the smell of the fire in Marybeth’s Tavern…
Wait.
How does he know I’ve had an eventful day?
I glance sharply at the Prince. “How could you possibly know that?”
Keane nods his head in a way that is all too smug, “this is my home, Lady Alexis. I know everything that goes on here.”
I scowl and take another drink of ale.
Everything?
Does he know about Barnett and me last night?
My eyes quickly dart out to the crowd in front of us, scanning for the Discerni soldier’s giving smiling.
“I’d like to tell you that’s disturbing,” I turn slowly back to the Prince, “but I have a feeling that you know and don’t care.”
Keane laughs in amusement, his brown eyes dancing across my face. “Too true, Lady Alexis. Would you like another drink?”
I look down in surprise at the near empty mug in my hand.
“Please.”
Keane grins and leans back in his seat, the movement familiar as he lets his fingers rest at the top of my chair.
I flush and sit a little bit straighter.
“How did you enjoy court last night?” he asks curiously, placing a new mug on the table.
“It was…”
My mind races through the memories of the night.
Ancients, what was it?
“It was a night without expectations,” I finally settle on with a grin.
