If I’m right, Asmo is sitting in front of me. And I have no idea what his agenda is.
I set the teacup down delicately, willing it not to slam into the matching saucer.
“Twins have always fascinated me,” I say, forcing a smile onto my face. “How close are you with him?”
Eliza—Asmo?—smiles slowly, bright eyes twinkling. “Not very. In fact, a recent family dispute has us estranged at the moment.” Truth.
Sweet, sweet relief floods through me. “I’m sorry to hear that,” I lie.
She waves me off. “No, don’t be. Just a bit of a difference of opinions on a family matter,” she says nonchalantly before twisting in her seat to survey the garden again. “Would I be able to pluck some flowers and bring them home?”
“Um, sure. Of course,” I say.
She smiles. “Thank you, Your Highness.” She glances around the garden once more and stands. As she does, she bumps into the table, sending both cups of tea toppling to the ground. The cups shatter into pieces as they hit the cobblestone.
She gasps. “Oh! I’m so sorry.” She bends down, dropping to the floor on her knees, reaching for the shards of the broken cups.
This is my chance. The guards have glanced over here but make no attempt to come help.
Mother forbid I prick a finger.
I bend down and join Eliza on the ground, knees digging into the small pebbles underneath the table. Dozens of questions roar through my mind like a river threatening to break its dam.
Is Holly okay? Where’s Luca? Ivan?
What are you doing to save the kingdom?
Can you save me from your monster of a brother?
But I swallow them. It’s too risky.
When she reaches for a blue shard, she sneaks a folded scrap of paper underneath. I reach for it, sliding the paper up the sleeve of my blouse as I pluck the broken piece of ceramic from the ground.
It takes all my willpower not to look at the guards.
“I’m so sorry about that. I’m such a klutz,” Eliza says with a huff as she stands back up and sits in her chair.
I laugh at the lie as it comes from her mouth. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ve never been a big fan of tea, anyways. Shall we get down to business?” I ask her, motioning for the guards to come forward.
Eliza freezes at the summons.
I hand the guards the broken teacups. “Discard this,” I say before ordering them away with a wave of my hand.
Eliza’s posture visibly relaxes as they retreat. “Yes,” she says with a smile.
One hour later, I walk Eliza to the front doors, guards trailing behind us. We spent the rest of our time discussing education policy, something she was surprisingly informed on. Well, I guess it’s not surprising given that she’s actually a High Prince.
The note tucked into my sleeve felt like an itch I couldn’t scratch.
“Thank you, again, for inviting me, Your Highness,” she says, dipping into a bow before the grand double doors.
“The pleasure was all mine. I’d love for you to come back soon so we can continue our discussion,” I say sincerely. “Maybe next time I can give you a tour of the grounds.”
Please don’t leave me here.
Please save me.
“I’d love that,” she says with a smile.
