“I will demote you if you keep it up,” I say in mock seriousness before turning for the door.
Like the first day, William stands just outside. “Alright, William. Lead me to the veranda.”
He bows, stands, and immediately heads to the right. I fall into step beside him, our footsteps echoing in the silent hallway.
“So, tell me about yourself,” I say cheerfully, trying to fill the silence so I don’t ruminate on my lingering shame from last night.
He doesn’t move his gaze, still focused on what’s in front of us. “What do you want to know, Your Highness?” His tone is professional, and it irks me.
“What do you like to do for fun?”
“Work,” he responds straight-faced.
I quirk an eyebrow and ask, “Really?”
He nods, revealing a small smile. “Work is what I love to do.”
Weeks ago, my answer would have been the same. I loved spending my days in the bookstore. I looked forward to every day, surrounded by yellowed pages full of thoughtfully crafted stories.
“Well, what is it about this that you love so much?” I ask.
He smiles at the question. “My father served before me, but he passed away when I was young. It was always my mother’s dream that I follow in his footsteps. So, I did. It makes her happy, so it makes me happy. Plus, there’s nothing better than protecting…goodness.”
“What do you mean?”
“The values of our court are what keep the kingdom…good,” he says. “And that’s worth protecting.”
“Goodness is worth protecting,” I repeat.
He nods in agreement. “Yes, Your Highness, and it’s an honor to do so.”
We turn down a corner, and I notice the black flower bouquets have been removed and replaced with bundles of white daisies. Already, my father’s death is a thing of the past. “Well, what do you do outside of work?” I ask after a few moments of silence.
A hint of pink blooms on his cheeks. “I’m actually about to propose to my girlfriend.”
A smile breaks across my face. “Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!”
“Yours, too, Your Highness.”
My mood dampens at the reminder.
Outside, Cally is seated on one of the plush outdoor chairs on the veranda, a spread of fruits and cheeses on the wooden table in front of her.
“About time you got here!” she exclaims when she sees me. “Someone dropped this off a few minutes ago, and I’ve been dying to dig in.”
“Sorry, I tried to be as quick as I could.” I walk toward her and take a seat in the chair across from her.
She sits back, propping an arm on the back of the chair. “How are you feeling?” she asks carefully.
I nod. “Better. Ivan and I came up with a plan for the week, starting with a private dinner with Prince Marik tonight,” I say, leaning back into the chair. The sun shines directly on the veranda, warming my very bones.
Her eyes almost pop out of their sockets. “So, it begins.”
I nod slowly. “Yep… It’s happening.”
The corners of her mouth twitch upwards. “I can’t believe it.” I snort. I can’t either. “How are you feeling about dinner tonight?” she asks.
I shrug. Truthfully, I would rather lay in bed and read a book than go to dinner with any of the High Princes.
