“Forgive me.” Hugo wanted the floor to swallow him up so he could disappear from this world. He’d never imagined that he’d be talking to the king of Wulia one day, and he would never have imagined that he’d do it while smelling so horrible.
“Father had me running in the woods and training with soldiers from the moment I could bend a bow and heft a sword. I know what it’s like to be surrounded by men who hadn’t seen a cake of soap in more than a month. You’re not as bad.”
“That’s a small relief,” Hugo replied, accepting the glass of wine. He took a sip and hummed with delight. It was a rich, bold red that seemed to warm his soul as it hit his chest.
The king crossed to the front of his desk and leaned against it, staring at Hugo with a speculative gaze. A lock of white-blond hair had escaped where it was tied back and now hung down to brush his cheek. The king had cheekbones so high and sharp, they could have sliced through stone. His chin was also a sharpweapon, giving him a very cold appearance. “So, if you’re not a courtier or a noble’s son, who are you?”
“I’m not sure Your Majesty would believe me if I told you. With every day that passes, I find my life growing more unbelievable. Never would I have imagined that I’d be talking to the king of Wulia in his palace.”
“Try me.”
“My name really is Hugo Baker. My father was Charles Baker, and while he lived, he was the most talented baker and pastry chef in all of Branem. He made the wedding cake for King Hubert and Queen Lilianna. Prior to my father achieving his minor fame, my mother worked as a charwoman for several noble families in Frostbourne and Buckleford. My brothers and I grew up in a modestly wealthy home. We’re well educated, but we could never pass for the aristocracy. We’re simply sons of a baker.”
King Victor blinked at him and spat out, “Commoners?” Disbelief and shock coated that single word.
Hugo nodded, not feeling any shame about his position in society, and from the king’s tone, it didn’t seem as if he meant it to be an insult. “Very common, I’m afraid.”
“Not at all if you captured the heart of a prince.”
A crooked smile lifted the corners of Hugo’s lips as the image of Everand’s handsome face drifted through his mind. “Honestly, I still don’t understand how that is even possible. I’m just me. No one special at all.”
“I think I’m beginning to see it,” Victor murmured before tossing back the last of his drink.
Hugo drank more of his own to keep from stumbling through more denials. If Victor could see what Everand saw, it must be something only royals were trained to see. Or maybe because they were relatives?
“But my sources state that you and Prince Everand are notofficiallyengaged. In fact, his parents refuse to comment one way or the other on that matter.” King Victor set his glass on the edge of his desk and crossed his arms over his chest. The friendliness that had softened his features evaporated.
“Yes. That. Please don’t be angry with Prince Everand. I think he said it in a moment of panic. We’ve been courting for a brief time. He introduced me to his parents at the ball, so it’s far too early to broach the topic of marriage. Plus, as you know, my background makes me unsuitable. His parents will require some convincing.”
That was an understatement.
Hugo couldn’t imagine any circumstances where the king and queen would allow their child to marry the baker’s son. But that was a problem for another day.
After taking a deep breath, Hugo straightened and lifted his chin. “Regardless of whether his parents ever accept me, I love Prince Everand, and I will protect him with my life. That is why I demanded Captain Ryze bring me along. He needs someone at his side.”
The king made a noise to acknowledge that he understood, but nothing else. The silence stretched between them as the king continued to watch him. Hugo grew flushed, not wishing to be under such scrutiny. He felt sure that he should say something that could help to close the breach between these two kingdoms, but he wasn’t a trained diplomat. He didn’t even have the full story of why Branem and Wulia hated each other so much. It was just that he wanted to help Everand, and King Victor appeared to be a reasonable man.
“Your Majesty, it’s not my place to say anything, but I feel confident that Wulia and Branem can work out their differences at long last without more people needing to suffer and die.”
King Victor jumped to his feet and walked around his desk. “King Hubert has received my proposal for the only solution I will accept. We’re waiting for him to recognize the brilliance of my plan.” His expression had become icy as he looked at Hugo. “Prince Everand will remain my prisoner here, like how Queen Victoria was Branem’s prisoner for most of her life. The one question I’m left with now is what to do with you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, King Victor picked up a silver bell and rang it. The sharp, piercing notes hung in the air, slicing through Hugo’s eardrums until he had no choice but to lift his shoulders to his ears to help shield them.
The doors behind him opened, and a young man in servants’ livery strode in and stopped beside Hugo. He bowed his head. “If you will come with me, sir.”
Hugo glanced back to the king to find Victor had returned to his work, not giving him a second thought. He had been dismissed, and his fate was decided, at least for now. It seemed he’d been no help at all to Everand and his plight.
Twenty-Four
Hugo followed the servant from the king’s study and into the hallway to find that Captain Ryze wasn’t waiting for him. There were two guards who fell into step behind Hugo and the servant back through the winding corridors. Yet, as the servant started up a set of stairs, Hugo hesitated.
“Um…excuse me,” he called out. “I think you might be going the wrong way.”
The servant turned and blinked at him as if he couldn’t believe Hugo would suggest such a thing.
“Or maybe there’s been a misunderstanding. Obviously, you know your way around the castle better than I do. It’s just, shouldn’t you be taking me to the dungeon again? Up seems to take me farther from the dungeon.”
That got the servant’s eyes to open so wide Hugo thought he’d have to lunge forward to catch them when they fell out of his head.
