Back at the royal stand, Ryu quickly explained what had happened, emphasising the fact that none of it had been Tadashi’s fault, and then chairs were hastily rearranged to allow Tadashi to sit beside Ryu. He was once again surprised to find no one objecting to the presence of such an unusual guest.
“Well, Kentario is just a treasure, isn’t he?” Elise said, once Ryu had finished detailing the altercation. “I hadn’t even realised there was a problem, and then suddenly he’s darting off across the courtyard to rescue you. Such a diligent man. Don’t you agree?”
“Kentario’s very good at his job,” Ryu agreed, unable to help a pointed glance at Maro as he said the words. It would give the Captain something to remember, the next time he thought to override Kentario’s position when a new crisis arose.
“A fine example to the Royal Guard,” Maro agreed, without the slightest hesitation. “I only wish all my soldiers were so capable.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Ican’t thank you enough for your hospitality,” Jasmine said, dropping into a deep curtsey on the front steps of the palace. It was Thursday, five days after the Festival of the Goddess, and Jasmine’s official visit to Galandeen was at an end. “It’s been a remarkable week. You have such a beautiful city. And I hope you’ll have the opportunity to visit Iderheil in the near future. There are so many sights I’d love to show you.”
After a week of showing her around and being treated to her dry humour, Ryu couldn’t help but grin at the invitation. “I’d love to,” he said. “But perhaps nottoosoon,” he added. “Otherwise we’ll just reignite all those rumours about us supposedly getting married.”
The media had been having a field day with that one, with photos showing up daily in the newspapers of the pair of them visiting various landmarks around the city and plenty of speculation about whether the prince might finally be preparing to announce his soulmate to the world. And when the palace had tried to quell the speculation by making an official announcement that the prince and princess were not engaged, one or two publications had even started trying to pair Jasmine up with Kentario! He knew from a few subtle comments that his bodyguard had enjoyed her company as much as Ryu had, and the paparazzi had apparently noticed.
“I do have just one more question to ask,” Jasmine said, lowering her voice. Nearby, the king and queen were busy saying their farewells to Jasmine’s aunt, and further back, Kentario and Danag were standing stiff and straight in their Guard uniforms, keeping an official eye on the gathering. Jasmine glanced over at them. “It’s about your rather endearing bodyguard.”
That got Ryu’s attention. Surely she wouldn’t… She already had a soulmate. But Kentario had already registered his soul mark, he remembered belatedly. So it was just about possible that he and Princess Jasmine… No, they couldn’t be. Could they? The media couldn’t possibly have gotten that one right…?
“What about him?” Ryu asked, realising after that fact that it had come out just a little too sharply.
Jasmine smiled, a mischievous, knowing look. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about,” she said coyly. “You’re rather protective of him. And he even more so of you. In a way that seems to extend just a little too far to be consideredprofessionalconcern.”
“I don’t follow.”
She glanced around again, to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. “I think you like him.” The way she said it made it clear she meant as more than just friends.
“He’s not my soulmate,” Ryu said, embarrassed at having been caught out. Was he really so obvious that Jasmine had figured it out in just one week? Did that mean Kentario already knew? What about his parents? Was that why they kept trying to get him to take an interest in other nobles?
“Since when has that ever stopped anyone?” Jasmine asked.
“Since I’m a prince and I’m supposed to marry someone who can have babies and carry on the family line. And we’re both alphas. And he’s my bodyguard! Do you seriously need more reasons than that?”
“You know, he watches you exactly the same way you watch him. Quietly. Constantly. And always from a distance.”
“He does not,” Ryu replied automatically. But at the same time, his heart was doing a funny little dance in his chest. Kentario didn’t watch him. Not like that. He glanced over at the man… and was dismayed to realise that he was, in fact, watching Ryu.
“Fair enough,” Jasmine said, fluffing her hair nonchalantly. “I know when my advice is unwanted. Seriously, though… don’t settle for someone just because they’resuitable. Life’s too short to sell yourself out just to please everyone else.”
“Jasmine? Are you ready to go?” Jasmine’s aunt called loudly, gesturing to the car that had arrived to take them to the airport.
“Coming,” she called back. “Stay in touch,” she told Ryu, with a wink. “And let me know how things work out.” She followed her aunt to the car, offering a demure wave to Ryu and his parents, then slid into the seat, and the driver closed the door.
As the car pulled away, Elise sidled over to Ryu and put an arm around his shoulder. “Well, she seemed alovelyyoung lady,” she said. “And you enjoyed the week, didn’t you?”
“I did,” Ryu admitted, for once not feeling defensive about his mother’s eagerness to match him up with various young women. “And she invited me to visit Iderheil at some point in the future.”
“Oh, that’s delightful. So it wasn’t the dreadful trial you thought it was going to be?”
“You’re just trying to get me to admit that my mother was right about something,” Ryu said, with all the teenage sass he could muster. “Never. It was a complete disaster. And now the entire country thinks I’m going to marry her, and then Kentario’s going to steal her from me in a fit of jealousy.”
Elise burst out laughing. “The media does manage to come up with some fanciful stories, I’ll give you that. Oh, Captain Landis!” she said brightly, seeing the man arrive. “I wasn’t expecting to see you this morning.”
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” he greeted her, with the customary bow. “But actually, I was coming to see King Sou. I have news,” he told the king, “from the Arctesian ambassador. His flight was rescheduled. He’ll be landing at the Azrahn airport in thirty minutes.”
“That’s rather early,” Sou said in surprise. “He wasn’t due to arrive until late this afternoon. Why would he move his flight forward?”
“I don’t know for certain,” Maro said, “but I would guess it has something to do with the war in Biermarg. There’s been a sudden development overnight. Rebels have taken the city of Gylan and are moving towards the capital.”
