“Understandable.”
There was nothing understanding about his manner. In fact, everything about him said otherwise. Unlike the king who had mentioned nothing about my switch of allegiance, Crown Prince Bennett was suspicious.
So be it. I exhaled.
“You do not trust me, Your Highness,” I said.
If he was surprised he didn’t show it. “I don’t,” he agreed. “I advised my father to find someone else, but it seems you are the most suitable candidate at this moment. The kingdom cannot wait. It would be unwise to put more citizens at risk because of my baseless suspicions.”
“I could hardly call them baseless,” I said, folding my hands on my lap. I had my fair share of backhanded conversations. My feathers were not so easily ruffled. “I hope you will trust I have no ulterior motives other than to help Olderea. My mother is under the watch of your men. If you suspect us of cavorting you can ask them.”
Crown Prince Bennett stared unblinkingly, his shoulders tense. He reminded me of Misty before she targets her prey. The resemblance was uncanny.
I tore my eyes away and looked past his shoulder instead. “I apologize for my past actions, but I believe I’ve since made my allegiance clear. That is all.”
I felt my cheeks heat despite my best efforts to appear unaffected. He was there at the masquerade where I attacked my own mother quite publicly. That was the moment I denounced her forever.
But why was my heart pounding like I had just lied?
Perhaps it was the mutual knowledge that I had flirted with him before per Mother’s orders, and that the coy facade was the only side he had seen of me until now. No doubt my sudden switch of personality was not helping my case.
Hewas as unflinchingly stoic as he had always been.
“My duty is to my kingdom, Lady Narcissa,” Crown Prince Bennett said at last. He stood and rounded the table. “Whether yours is remains to be seen.”
He bowed low at the waist, then straightened. “Excuse me. I will return with Father and the captain shortly.”
The door swung shut. I glared at the spot he had stood seconds before.
Insufferable! He was as bad as Maddox, though with cleverly twisted words and a mask of politeness. The ring glittered in its velvet bed, as if mocking me. I snapped the box shut and stuffed it into my pocket.
I acknowledged his suspicions and apologized. Wasn’t that enough? What more did he want?
The box weighed heavily against my thigh. I closed my eyes, forcing myself to calm. Somehow the change in me I thought was so obvious was not so to everyone else. There was much I still had to do.
I just had to figure out what.
***
“IREFUSE TO GO!” MADDOXbellowed.
“You have no choice. I’ve settled it with His Majesty and Lord Frederick. You will join the guards accompanying Narcissa and Crown Prince Bennett on their engagement tour,” Father said, the picture of serenity as he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
It was evening. Father had summoned us to his study after supper to share what he spoke to the king about. It seemed that Maddox now had a position in the Royal Guard.
“This isn’t fair!” Maddox said, arms trembling as he gripped the sofa.
“It isn’t,” Father agreed. He took a sip of the amber liquid. “Others have to spend years upon years training to get a place in the Royal Guard. You’re lucky enough to have the king himself grant you your position.”
“I am not spending the next four months of my life trudging around in the cold and followingherlike some slave!”
“Any guard would be grateful to serve the future crown princess.”
“Crown princess? Crown princess my a—”
“Maddox. You are a fine swordsman. With work, you will have the patience of a guard,” Father said. “You have greatness in you, son. I’m merely pushing you to unlock it.”
Maddox’s jaw opened and closed. Apparently, praise was difficult to argue with. He swung to me instead. “You have ruined my life!”
