“The engagement—”
“Is still on. I have already told the press about the one-year delay so you cannot get married until then,” King Maximus said, standing from his seat.
I blinked rapidly. He truly loved his son if he was willing to make amends with me. Perhaps he wasn’t entirely like Mother after all.
King Maximus gave me a steely stare when he turned to go. “But mark my words, Narcissa. If my son becomes a lovesick buffoon in your presence again, I won’t be so forgiving.”
I returned to my room, numb. Maddox and Giselle stood at my entrance.
“What did he want?” Giselle asked.
I let go of the breath I was holding. “I can see Bennett again.”
40
The day of the banquetcame before I knew it. Giselle whipped up a dress for me, a floaty evening gown the color of frosted leaves, pale enough to be mistaken for white. I dressed with greater care than usual that night.
When I arrived at the palace banquet hall, a maidservant escorted me to a curtained alcove before the entrance, where I was told to wait. It was there I sat.
“I do not see why this is necessary,” I said, shifting on my feet.
“Apologies, milady.” The maid wrung her hands, peeking out at the banquet hall. “Just a minute more.”
“You said that for the past fifteen.” I tugged at the emeralds dangling from my necklace—the gift Bennett had given me at Alevine.
The maid blushed. “Apologies,” she repeated.
“What are we waiting for, exactly? Every other guest has already been announced.”
“For the royal steward to come with Crown Prince Bennett,” she said.
“Is he not already here?” I asked in surprise. My glances past the curtains have been futile, then.
“His Highness is running late,” she said. “King Maximus wanted you to be announced together but...” Her words trailed off and she ducked her head.
Had Bennett heard of my attendance? Was that why he avoided coming? There was no reason to believe that was the case, but a month’s separation had blurred the memory of him, of his mannerisms and whether his affections had been as ardent as I thought. Did he only need a month to forget about me?
