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“You said you wanted the gray. Here, miss,” she said, swapping the pair for the other. “Did… Did something happen on your ride?” she asked.

“What ride?” Elías checked.

I sighed. “Thank you, Miss Jocelyn. Very helpful.”

She paused. “I’m sorry, did Ser Elías not know you went?”

“Know you went where?” he asked. “Did you go riding this morning?”

“No,” I said. “I went riding yesterday afternoon.”

“Alone?” he asked.

“No, not alone,” I said. I rolled my eyes. “With Mr. Evergreen. Where is the belt for this?”

Josie handed it to me. I wrapped it around my waist.

“You stated you would not be seeing Mr. Evergreen,” Elías said.

“Aye,” I told him. “That had been my intention. Then he was in my room and?—”

“The boy wasin your room?”His tone changed.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “No. I meant he wasatmy room. He was standing, waiting for me by the door, when I walked out.”

“And you went riding alone with him?” he asked.

“Believe me, I had my own concerns, but apparently, it’s fine that I was with him. The Prince practically declared that rat as my bodyguard.”

“And you gave him that authority?” he asked. “You have knights for that.”

“I gave him nothing; he took it. Mr. Evergreen is quite capable or something. It doesn’t matter,” I said. “It was a very bad ride.”

“What did he do?” he demanded.

I hooked a hand to my hip. “Nothing,” I said.

“Nothing?” He scoffed. “You’re protecting him?”

“What?” I frowned. “No. I’m notprotectinghim.”

“You’ve kept this from me,” he said. “I don’t like it.”

“I have hardly kept anything. This is the first time I’ve seen you since yesterday, and I just– Fine, Imaynot have intended for you to know about the ride, but not because I am protecting anyone, but because it was humiliating. It’s not as though I brought it up; Jocelyn did.” I turned toward her. “Have I thanked you enough for that yet?”

Josie busied herself within the chores.

“It’s fine, Ser,” I told him. “Mr. Evergreen was fine. The ride was fine. Everything and everyone involved is and was fine,” I said. I tugged the ribbon, releasing my crown. “I don’t like the white,” I told Jocelyn.

She took the shoes and belt as I stepped out of them and went to change my clothes behind the screen to spare Elías.

“Was it fine or was it bad?” he asked. I heard his armor move as he turned the other way.

“I—” I loosed a breath. “What do you want me to say?”

“Josie,” Elías spoke to her. “Why did you suggest the ride was the issue?”

“Eli,”I pressed.