With that, he stormed out of the room, no doubt off to throw a tantrum in the stables.
“You’re not going after him?” I said.
Father took another swig of whiskey. “No. Defying me is one thing. Defying the king is treason.”
I laughed. “Clever.”
He looked at me and smiled. “I haven’t heard you laugh in months. Is your new fiancé to your liking? What did he say to you?”
The mention of the crown prince wiped away all amusement. I smoothed a cushion to avoid Father’s gaze. “He is perfectly respectable.”
Luckily, the whiskey made him less observant than usual. “Good. There’s little joy in matrimony if you do not like your partner.”
I shifted. “So...Maddox will be my personal guard?”
“One of several,” Father said. “I’m sorry I will not be there to accompany you, Cissa. My primary duty is to the king.”
“I know, Father,” I said.
“Nevertheless, I trust Frederick. He is an impeccable captain and his men are competent. I hope your brother can learn discipline under him. That boy is too lazy and careless for his own good.”
He seemed to be talking more to himself than to me. I took the opportunity to slip away, knowing that his whiskey was companion enough.
Misty meowed loudly when I returned to my room.
Please don’t tell me you’re leaving me in this dingy place while you go frolicking with your new beloved,she said, pacing at my feet.
I blinked. It was rare to see her so worked up, much less over something that wasn’t food. “Since when have I ever gone anywhere without you?”
Since recently. You didn’t bring me to the ball. Or to the palace this morning.
“I didn’t know you were upset about that. You hate traveling.”
She sat down on the carpet.I know why. You’re trying to sway public opinion. Having a black cat follow you around doesn’t exactly paint the picture of innocence, does it? Perhaps you’d prefer a white cat? A ginger tabby?
I squatted to her level and rubbed the downy spot behind her ears. “Silly girl. We’ve been locked up in this room for far too long, haven’t we?”
Misty mewed, batting my hand away half-heartedly. We both knew she liked it when I petted her there.Are you bringing me or not?
“Of course I am. Together forever, remember?”
She purred in satisfaction at our oath.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Besides, who else am I going to talk to if you don’t come?”
Misty surrendered to my petting.I thought your fiancé. Not much of a conversationalist, is he?
My smile faded. “He doesn’t trust me.”
Well, that makes things difficult.
I set my shoulders. Having complications to solve was better than moping around the abbey. It gave me something to work toward.
“Well, Misty,” I said, lifting her into the air. “It looks like we have a long road ahead of us.”
