“Idoknow him,” he said.
“You do?” I asked.
“In a sense,” he said. “His type. His reputation. Mr. Evergreen is known to many folks. He sees to that.”
We waited as someone passed us and headed outside. Then, we smiled politely at Cyrus as the door opened with their departure. It shut between the three of us again. After a second, I looked at the closed threshold.
“Since when are you one to condemn a man by reputation alone?” I asked. “You forget you have a bad one, too.”
“No, you forget that I am often here with your father. Cyrus is no stranger to the Palace or its ladies.And I am no stranger to a man’s youth, as you love to remind me.”
I tsked. “He is just outside,” I told him, speaking quieter. “I will take your caution to heart only because I respect you so, but please learn to trust me and not read into whatever youreyeshave reported back to you. Mr. Evergreen has been encouraged to include me in breaking my horse by special request of the Prince. I do not think my husband would enlist a man’s assistance if he worried there was any real chance of impropriety. Do you not agree?” I asked.
He stewed.
“Have you heard of the Prince’s evil nature?” I asked.
He folded his arms.
“I did not think so. Sameer probably couldn’t hurt a fly. At least physically. He’d insult it somehow, but by being dumb. Not malicious. Would you feel better if you spoke to Mr. Evergreen?” I asked.
“Absolutely not.”
“Well,” I said. “He’s already seen you, so at this point, it would be very rude not to. So, just-” I pushed open the door and ushered him out. I appeared casually beside him and in front of the swordsman.“Be nice,”I whispered. “Alright,” I told the other, louder. “You summoned me. I am here.”
The men shared indistinguishable looks before Cyrus returned the greeting.
“Good morning, then,” he said. He looked between us. “Will we have company today?”
“Yes,” Elías said.
“I’m afraid not,” I replied. I waved dismissively. “Mr. Evergreen? Ser Elías. Ser Elías? Mr. Evergreen. I’m sure I have mentioned him likely a thousand times since our first interaction, but here he is. My favorite knight.”
They exchanged nods.
“Grand,” I said. I waited for further acknowledgment, but it never came. “Right. I’m glad you’ve met. This is the man that will speak to you if you maim my reputation,” I said.
“What?” Evergreen worried.
A footman arrived to us with a message flat on his tray. “Your Royal Highness,” he said.
“Oh, thank God,” I cried. I opened it, the only sound between the four of us its tearing, and I read it over, coming to a deliberate “Hmm.”
“Was is it?” Elías asked.
“It’s a second letter from His Majesty,” I said. My eyes went to Mr. Evergreen, but Eli inquired upon its content.
“And?” he asked.
“You tell me. It is, of course, addressed to you,” I said. I handed it to him, sighing.
Elías knit his brow and took the letter from my hands with a certain amount of air. He scanned its body and then gave a nod. “I’ll have to write him.”
“Is there a reason he won’t write me?” I asked.
“I’ll ask him to,” he said. “Excuse me.”
Eli wished us farewell and spun on his foot to go. It was quiet.
