"Ready to try not to fall off, you mean."
"You haven't fallen off yet."
"Key word being 'yet.'I feel like the universe is just waiting for the right moment to humiliate me."
"The universe wouldn't dare."
She laughed and gathered her reins."You have a lot of faith in my riding abilities."
"I have a lot of faith in you."
The words came out more sincere than I'd intended, and I saw something shift in her expression.Surprise, maybe, or recognition that we were dancing around something neither of us was ready to name.
She looked away first, clicking softly to Celeste to move forward."Let's see if that faith is justified."
I watched her warm up, noting the improvements in her posture and her hands.She'd been practicing, probably in front of a mirror, working on the things I'd corrected in previous lessons.The dedication was obvious, and it made me fall a little harder.
Stop it, I told myself.You're here to evaluate her suitability, not to fall in love with her.
But that ship had sailed approximately forty-eight hours ago, somewhere between her first genuine laugh and the moment she'd almost kissed me by the fountain.
"Okay," I called out."Let's work on asking for the canter from a walk.It's trickier than transitioning from a trot, but it'll give you more control."
I talked her through the aids: outside leg back, inside leg at the girth, a slight shift in her weight.She attempted it three times before Celeste finally responded, launching into a smooth canter that made Betty whoop with delight.
"I did it," she called as she swept past me.
"You did it."
She cantered a full lap around the arena, her face alight with joy, her body moving in harmony with Celeste's rhythm.In that moment, she wasn't a princess struggling with protocol or a political pawn in an international chess game.She was just Betty, discovering something she loved, and she was beautiful.
I was so busy watching her that I almost missed the sound of footsteps behind me.
"Your Highness."
I turned to find Lord Chancellor Renaud standing at the arena entrance, his expression unreadable and his portfolio tucked under his arm.
For a moment, I forgot I was supposed to be Peter.Then his words registered, and I realized he'd addressed me by my title.
"Lord Chancellor," I said carefully, keeping my voice low.Betty was still cantering on the far side of the arena, too far to hear our conversation."I wasn't expecting you."
"Clearly."His gaze moved from me to Betty and back again."The Grand Duchess asked me to remind you that the pre-wedding reception is tomorrow evening.Your presence as Prince Archibald will be required."
"I'm aware of the schedule."
"And does the princess know that her riding instructor will be transforming into her fiancé at midnight like some sort of reverse Cinderella?"
The sarcasm in his tone made my shoulders stiffen."I plan to tell her before then."
"Do you?Because from what I've observed, you seem more interested in playing stable boy than in preparing for your royal duties."
"What I'm doing is getting to know my future wife."
"What you're doing is deceiving her.And when she discovers the truth, that deception will either make her hate you or make her question whether anything between you was real."Renaud's voice was cool and precise."Either outcome damages the alliance."
I hated that he was right.I hated even more that he seemed to be enjoying pointing it out.
"Your concern for the alliance is noted," I said."Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lesson to finish."
