I stood by awkwardly as he set the heavy stack on a nearby table and began sorting through them. The last I saw of him was at the masquerade ball last summer, when all hell broke loose. And before that, he was unconscious in my mother’s chambers along with Amarante. I braced myself for a tirade of questions, but the second prince merely flashed me a polite smile and gestured to the bench next to him.
“Fancy seeing you here. I’m assuming you’re with Aunt Marianna?” he said as if we were old friends.
“Yes. She’s getting recipe books.” I perched myself on the edge of the bench. It seemed his dislike of me had vanished since last summer. Or he hid it well.
Prince Ash gave me a sidelong glance. He looked different since I last saw him—his hair longer and his skin tanner. I wondered how long it had been since he left the palace. “I have to admit, I never doubted that you’d end up marrying Bennett. I just didn’t think it would be good for the kingdom.”
I stared at him.
He gave an uncomfortable laugh. “That was a joke.”
The mess of books formed into neat stacks as Prince Ash arranged them. “I hope my brother hasn’t been treating you too badly,” he said, coughing at a particularly dusty volume.
“His Highness has been nothing but respectful.”
He raised a brow. “Maybe a little too respectful, if you’re still calling him that.”
I bit my cheek. Perhaps I needed to refer to the crown prince by his first name when speaking to others.
“You know,” Prince Ash began, his voice hesitant, “Bennett is a good crown prince, but he’s terrible with people. That’s why he begged me to attend the Season on his behalf.”
Mother had been furious when she found out, claiming that it had been a waste of a Season for me.Herplans were sadly undeterred.
“I reckon this tour business isn’t his strong suit either,” Prince Ash continued, shaking his head. “The poor soul was forced into it, wasn’t he?”
“Not at all. His Highness was the one who suggested it,” I said.
A look of surprise passed Prince Ash’s face, before understanding dawned. “Ah. To speak with civilians and figure out how to reform the witch laws, correct?”
I nodded.
“Makes sense. Father would have never allowed it,” the second prince said with a snort. “Anyhow, do Bennett a favor. If anything goes badly, take over. He always freezes up in front of an audience.”
“I will.” I looked down at my hands, which were pale from the cold. I flexed my fingers to warm them.
It was difficult to imagine Crown Prince Bennett freezing up. He seemed to have a silent confidence about him, a certainty to his words and actions.
Then again, he was afraid of candles. Perhaps I didn’t know him at all.
“Is there...anything else I should know?” I asked. Even if I didn’t consider Prince Ash my confidant, he was a better source than anyone else.
He tapped his chin. “It’s Bennett’s birthday next week. You should give him a gift.”
I furrowed my brows. “Is there going to be a public celebration?”
Prince Ash laughed. “No, he hates that stuff.”
“Then why should I get him a gift?” I asked.
He laughed again, but stopped when he saw my expression. “Oh. You’re serious.”
I waited for an answer.
The second prince gave a dramatic sigh. “I should’ve known,” he said. “You’re not actually trying to woo him, are you?”
“I tried,” I said flatly. “It’s impossible.”
Prince Ash shrugged. “Can’t blame you. Bennett’s never been interested in anything except dusty old books on Olderean history.” He paused and narrowed his eyes. “What did you try, exactly?”
