“The truth is what, Your Highness?” I asked.
He paused, mouth ajar to ponder it. “The truth is, Miss Agatha and I have been friends for a long time.”
“I see.”
“Our engagement, being yours and mine, was a deal my father struck behind closed doors with yours. I didn’t…I didn’t know of it at its time of conception, nor did I ask for it. So, the truth is, I didn’t even know what to expect from this arrangement,” he said. “I know I did not expect you to be sobeautiful?—”
“You don’t have to placate me,” I told him. My interruption sparked a frown. “I’m fine,” I lied. “Did Mr. Evergreen tell you I was upset?”
“Mister...Cyrus?” Sam asked. “Did you speak to him already? I told him to wait for me.”
“Waitfor you? For what?” I asked.
“Yes, he… Hang on. What areyoutalking about?”
I paused. “...What?”
“What?” he asked. “You said you spoke to Cyrus. I’m talking about your rides,”he said.
“My ride?” I asked. “Your Highness, I didn’t?—“
“You—”
We cut each other off.
Sam sighed, apologizing for the fact, but added, “Svana, we may not have begun this marriage on proper terms, but Idolisten. Or I try to. I may notlikehorses, but I do hear you when you sayyoudo.”
“Sir, last night, I was humiliated. I was scared. I did not mean to offend you by?—”
“It’s fine. You said you wanted to have someone to ride with. Yes?” he asked.
“Y-Yes? But?—”
“But I understand,” he said. “You wish for it to be me, but that is not something that I can give you. You have every right to be upset. Confused, even. However, thankfully, we have Cyrus...Mr. Evergreen,if you will.”He stressed the swordsman’s name.
A million thoughts over whatMr. Evergreenhad said to the Prince saturated my skin with sweat. “Sir, again, I?—”
“As a personal favor to me, Cyrus has agreed to be your riding companion in my stead. Well. For most days. Hedoeshave other work, and my sword lessons are his top priority on Wednesdays; however?—”
“Wait, what?” I asked. “Mr. Evergreen is to be myridingcompanion? What does that mean?”
“He’s very skilled,” Sam assured me. “I promise you. Ride once with him, and you will see just how perfect this idea is.”
Ride once. Sam didn’t know I’d done that.
“Sure,” he went on, weighing the words, “He’s a little rough around the edges, but the man is my dear friend, and it’s only because he’s… He’s shy, honestly. Don’t tell him I told you that, but I do think that you will enjoy breaking Isa with him once he opens up. He’s funny, too. You know?”
“Isa? Who is Isa?” I asked.
He knit his brow. “…Your horse, Svana.”
“My horse is named Isaac,” I explained.
“Yes. And Isa, for short. See? I listen,” Sam said.
I was confused. “...What exactly did Mr. Evergreen tell you?” I asked.
“Are you...unhappy?” He was upset. “You said you wanted to ride. I thought this would please you. I thought that I could see your needs met where I lacked ability and, as a result, mend some of our differences. It’s important that we get along, I think.”
