“Cyrus is embarrassed,” Sam explained.
“Sam,”Cyrus said.
“I have to tell,” he said. He didn’t turn away. “He said he was late returning to our carriage because he’d run into–”
“Why must you embarrass me?” he asked. “If I had known she was your Princess, I would not have kept the comment to myself.”
“It still doesn’t negate the comment,” the other said.
“Please,” he replied.
“What comment?” I asked. “What was said exactly?”
“Nothing,” Cyrus told me.
Sam laughed. “I have to tell her.”
“No, you–”
“Please, sirs, I–”
“Sorry, my love,” Sam said. “Cyrus declared you a… What was it? A very beautiful distraction?”
Elías cleared his throat.
“But see, what I don’t understand is, if you met my wife, why did you not come to collect me at once?” the Prince asked. “I was right there. Or you could have at least let me know she was in the city on the way back. I expected her father. We could’ve-”
“I didn’tknowwho she was,” Lord Evergreen lied. “It’s not as though I knew her name until the hall.”
I cocked my head. He shot daggers at me back. “I–” I paused. Considering his face, and refrained from outing him.
Sam relaxed. “Alright. I see. Then I understand,” he said. “And I cannot hold it against you… She is quite the beauty. You would be blind not to notice.”
“Did you need something?” Cyrus asked.
“Pardon?” Sam said.
“Beyond exposing me,” he replied. “Did you need something?”
The Prince nodded, realizing. “Yes. Right. Of course. Thank you, friend. I sought you out because I thought thatgiftwe were preparing for the Princess might be ready.”
“I thought I had another six months,” Cyrus said.
“So, no?” Sam asked. “Or…?”
“No,” he said. “She’s not ready. She’s still too green.”
“Green?”I grew in excitement, a glee bursting at first thought. “She? Is it a horse?”
Sam brushed off a delighted snicker.
“Is it?” I begged. “Do you have ahorsefor me, Your Highness? A mare? Did you get me amare, sir?”
“If I say yes, will you call me Sam?” he asked.
The men looked at me as I tried to ease back into a more ladylike stance, but my insides twisted madly, craving to see the beauty of my gift.
“Did you get me a horse?” I asked.
