“Oh, I am with…the Stormburg party,” Francis replied.
“Yes, that is who’s missing,” Hasim told him. “Your prince is missing.”
Francis opened his mouth to assure Hasim that he was not missing, then paused.
He would feel rather embarrassed to come clean now, and in the heat of the moment Francis made a decision to continue the ruse.
“Oh, what a damned pain,” he said. “I had better go assist in finding the prince.”
Supper was over.
Francis set down his plate and got to his feet. Hasim hurriedly got to his feet also.
“Thank you very much for your hospitality today, Hasim,” Francis said, extending his hand.
Hasim took his hand, then firmly pulled Francis in and kissed both his cheeks.
Francis tried not to appear too shocked; he had glimpsed this type of greeting among the locals here. This was customary, and yet…
And yet, a thrill shot through him at the contact.
Francis smiled bashfully.
“Farewell,” he said.
“You didn’t tell me your name,” Hasim said.
Francis had been avoiding that. Well, it was unlikely he’d ever see Hasim again, which was a pity. He would never know.
“Archie,” Francis said. “Equerry to Prince Francis Sachs-Stormburg.”
Hasim smiled and bowed his head. “Thank you for your company, Archie.”
Francis immediately felt bad about the lie, but what was he supposed to do? If he’d told Hasim that he was a prince, it would have set an imbalance to their friendship. Hasim would have treated him differently, and Francis didn’t want that.
It was nice to not be royalty, even for only a day.
“I bid you goodnight, my friend,” Francis said in parting. “Please give my fond farewells to the cats.”
Hasim chuckled. “I will.Hosça kal!”
“Adieu,” Francis said, then hurried after the servant in pink robes.
They dashed through the gardens toward the palace, her in bare feet and Francis in slippers.
They surprised a few lounging cats, who woke up and craned their heads to watch them run past.
Holding the bundles of her robes in hand, she led him through short cuts and secret passageways, until they were at a secluded courtyard in the palace itself.
There, she drew the attention of a guard, speaking hurriedly and gesturing to Francis. The guard nodded, and took over the escort, leading Francis inside.
Francis hadn’t meant to cause a stir. He only hoped it had been kept low key. He did hate a fuss.
Upon their arrival into the side hall, Francis spotted Maddie and Christian up ahead.
“Thank you,” he told the guard. “I shall take it from here.”
The guard nodded and turned away. Francis took a breath, then walked toward his friends.
