Mama wouldn’t be pleased to know I didn’t want to talk to the crown prince. He was two years my senior—much too old to become friends with. And he was always so serious.
“Good girl. Be off now.”
Swallowing my displeasure, I waved goodbye to Mama and followed a footman who escorted me inside. The grand double doors closed behind us.
“His Highness is at his desk, milady,” the footman said, gesturing to the far end of the study.
I took in the tall mahogany furniture and books with muted covers. It looked like a place for adults who had nothing better to do than pour over yellowed pages of text all day. The damask rug was lit with panes of sunlight from the window, against which a desk was placed. Sure enough, Crown Prince Bennett was bent over a dusty old book. He turned when we drew close.
The footman bowed. “Your Highness, Lady Narcissa.” He departed shortly, though I knew he was behind the shelves as a chaperone. I didn’t know what part of the meeting needed chaperoning. All the crown prince did was sit around and read, whether there were visitors or not.
I dipped into my best curtsy, making sure to rise gracefully as Mama instructed. “Good morning, Your Highness.”
Crown Prince Bennett blinked, his face impassive as he looked at me. I wondered if my hairdo looked as tight as it felt. “Girls aren’t allowed here,” he said. His dark hair was neatly combed back, not an unruly strand in sight. The style made him look impossibly grown-up, especially paired with his neat ensemble.
It irritated me to no end. “Says who?” The words came out before I could stop them. Mama would have sucked her teeth at my behavior.
“Father,” the crown prince said, turning back to his book. His feet dangled from his chair, the only indication that hewasn’ta grownup.
But horsefeathers, he was as boring as one. I ran my fingers over the gold embossing on my birthday invitation, watching it reflect light onto the floor. Misty loved shiny things. I’d have to bring her toys or make some myself. Some pigeons feathers on a string, perhaps? I tugged my hair ribbon loose and held it up. It was the perfect length.
Throat clearing drew me out of my thoughts. Crown Prince Bennett was staring at me again, his cheeks pink, no doubt annoyed that I hadn’t left.
I retied my ribbon and sighed. Too bad. I was stuck here for another hour, unless I managed to sneak off to the dumping grounds like last time. Maybe I could find another kitten.
But not before carrying out Mama’s assignment. I walked over to his desk and stuck out the invitation. “Will you come to my birthday celebration this week?”
He didn’t take it, only looked. I grew self-conscious, wondering if the invitation wasn’t fancy enough for him or if my fingernails were still caked with dirt from the garden.
No. They were spotless. Mama had scrubbed them raw the other night.
“Birthday celebrations are frivolous,” the crown prince finally said, turning away.
I stamped my foot. “They are not.” I hadn’t a clue what ‘frivolous’ meant, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing that. “I’ll have a chocolate fountain at mine. And ponies for riding.”
Mama said I could have whatever I liked, as long as the crown prince came.
“I’m busy,” he said. A few dark locks fell over his forehead as he studied the book. He had ruffled his hair when I wasn’t looking. The messiness made him more approachable.
“You can’t be busy all week,” I said. “It’s on the weekend. You’re supposed to have fun on weekends.”
“Fun is frivolous.”
Again with that word.
“Please?” I dropped the invitation over his book, leaning my cheek against the hard desk to catch a glimpse of his face. “I’ll show you my new kitten.”
I hadn’t shown Misty to anyone yet. I didn’t plan to for at least a month, but I figured I’d make an exception for the crown prince.
Crown Prince Bennett frowned, leaning away. “No. I don’t care.”
Irritation spiked again, along with a twinge of hurt. I didn’t offer to introduce my animal companions to just anybody. I stood upright. “You’re not very nice for a prince.”
“Princes aren’t supposed to be nice. They’re supposed to be wise,” he said with an air of superiority.
It wasn’t wise to be in the company of friendless girls who talked to animals. That was what he meant. My cheeks grew hot as Crown Prince Bennett swept my invitation off his book like a crushed insect.
“Go. You’re distracting me.”
