An unexpected dizziness came over me when I stood. I steadied myself against the railing and rubbed my temple.
Bennett took my arm. “Are you alright?”
Misty meowed in concern. I shook my head. “A passing headache. It’s nothing.”
He pressed a hand against my forehead and cheeks, his palm large and warm. “We shouldn’t have left Vandil so soon.”
Embarrassed, I pulled away. “I’m fine.”
Ulysses cleared his throat. “Perhaps Lady Narcissa will benefit from early rest. Shall we go?”
Bennett didn’t look convinced, but followed us out nonetheless. Several guests were already outside, but one look from the steward prevented anyone from approaching. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop them from speaking.
“Did you see her?” a middle-aged woman whispered behind a feathered fan.
Her companion nodded. “She has bewitched the crown prince, that is certain. He barely looked at the stage twice!”
“What sort of witchcraft do you suppose she was using?”
Bennett frowned at the two women. They scrambled into curtsies.
“Your Highness!” The woman with the fan gave a nervous giggle. “Did you enjoy the show?”
Bennett merely took my hand and brushed past them, his strides longer than usual. I had to trot to keep up. Ulysses opened his mouth and rushed after us in the open hallway.
“Your Highness! That was Dame Fiona Powell of—”
“I don’t care who she was, Ulysses. They all should know not to blatantly disrespect royalty,” the crown prince said as we hiked up the steps.
Ulysses’s shoes squeaked against the marble. “Of course, Your Highness, but it is of utmost importance to keep good relations with families of power, especially here in Alevine!”
The steward was right. The point of the tour was to uphold the image of the royal family. Bennett had his fair share of gossip surrounding him as evidenced by Sister Scarlett’s column, but never had he behaved so brashly. What had gotten into him?
“We should apologize.” I stopped, nearly bumping into Misty.
Bennett paused a few steps above me, his hand still holding mine. “You need to rest.”
“But Ulysses is right.”
He turned and sighed, closing his eyes briefly. “I will handle it.” His gaze dipped to my scar. “Take care of yourself.”
He kissed my fingertips with painful gentleness, then let go. Ulysses looked between us with an unreadable expression before sighing.
“Rest up, Lady Narcissa. Tomorrow will be a big day.”
