“Palace politics,” I tell her. “Bureaucratic nonsense.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“I’m an excellent liar, actually. Top three in the country.”
“I can tell you’re hella bothered.” She picks up her brush again. “But fine, you can keep your secrets. You’re sucky company when you’re like this.”
“Excuse me?”
“You brood like it’s the default setting.” She dabs paint on the canvas. “You’re like the Beast, not the prince.”
“And what does that make you?”
“Beauty, of course and always.” She works in silence for a moment before glancing at me. “You know what your problem is?”
“Which one? Please guess. I seem to have many right now.”
“You’re always thinking six moves ahead and calculating risks.” She shrugs. “Sometimes, you should let intuition guide you and make the first move that feels right without overthinking it.”
She has no idea how accurate that is.
“What would you suggest?”
“Something that isn’t part of a grand strategy. Focus on the board, and remember, you’re in control.” She returns her attention to the canvas. “You have more power than you realize.”
I want to stand and pull her into my arms.
“You’re suggesting spontaneity.” I wonder if she’s onto something.
“Not completely. It’s more like letting your heart guide you. Sometimes, it’s right even if everything around you says it’s wrong.”
“Is that advice for me or you, Miss Cross?”
She licks her lips and smiles. “Hmm. I’m not sure I know the answer to that, Your Highness.”
The session continues with lighter banter, though the tension underneath never fully dissolves. I watch her concentrate, memorizing the way she bites her lip when she’s focused and the small furrow between her brows when something isn’t working.
The mood grows somber, and I wonder if she can feel the shift too. She steps back and stretches.
“I think we’re done for the day. We lost the sun.”
“Same time tomorrow?” I ask.
She hesitates. “I don’t think so. I’ll work from reference photos.”
“Are you purposely avoiding me?” I ask.
“No.” She packs her supplies, taking her time. “It’s clear you have a lot on your mind that you need to work through. Palace politics.Bureaucratic nonsense,” she says, using my words against me. “I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You, a burden? I don’t think so.”
“Notice how you didn’t comment on the other things. Take some time. You’ve got a lot going on in your world right now.” She gives me a smile and lifts her bag to her shoulder. “I hope you have a good night.”
“You’re playing hard to get,” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest. “I know how these games work.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Yes, and I destroy men like you, Louis. You were warned, but still, you play.”
“I enjoy living on the edge,” I say, smirking.
