***
ULYSSES WAS UNCHARACTERISTICALLYsilent during the carriage ride back. Crown Prince Bennett stiffened whenever our knees brushed and wouldn’t meet my eye when I inquired about the following days. They both split off upon arriving at Lady Marianna’s manor.
I was left standing in the parlor. My boldness had since fled, leaving nothing but a nagging sense of shame as a servant took my coat and gloves. Misty meandered toward me from the hall.
How did it go?she meowed, brushing against my leg.
I bent down to sink my fingers into her fur. It was softer since Lady Marianna had her groomed. After telling her everything, I fanned my hot cheeks and slumped onto the floor. “I think I need to apologize.”
Apologize? How do you know he didn’t enjoy it?Misty said cheekily.
“Well. It wasn’tthatkind of kiss. It was just for show.” I grew flustered when I replayed the moment. I doubted the crown prince would have felt the difference between an earnest kiss and a kiss for show, seeing as he had nothing to compare it to. Heavens,Ididn’t even know the difference.
I wanted to kiss him. Very much so. He, on the other hand, had no choice. Not with the goading crowd. Had I been too zealous? Did I take advantage of him?
“He wouldn’t even look at me,” I finally choked out.
Misty crawled onto my lap as I stroked her back.How about I ask Pippin to observe him and report back?
“Since when did you start talking to Pippin?” Only yesterday she was throwing a tantrum because of the tabby cat.
Misty flicked her tail.None of your concern. Do you want to hear from him or not?
I shook my head. It didn’t seem right to spy with my magic again. It would be better to confront him straight on.
I found myself before Crown Prince Bennett’s door. Forcing my erratic heartbeat to calm, I raised my hand to knock, but promptly stopped at the sound of voices within.
“His Majesty would never allow such a thing,” came Ulysses’s voice. The steward sounded agitated.
“Allow what? Listening to our people?” Crown Prince Bennett asked. The door was slightly ajar. I caught a glimpse of him rising from his chair, his back to me.
Ulysses exhaled. “No. He would never allow such disorganization. Listening to the people involves written reports and schedules—”
“You know how Father is with reports. He only reads what he deems important,” the crown prince said. “Why else did you think the problem with Vandil’s textile trade came as a surprise?”
“You’ve changed. You’re bending too much to the people’s will. What is this supposed to be? Some desperate attempt to defy your father?”
“No, Ulysses. You know me too well to say that.”
Ulysses quieted. After a beat, he said, “This isn’t because of Lady Narcissa, is it?”
I stilled at the sound of my name.
Crown Prince Bennett sat back down. “What do you mean?”
“You’re influenced by her,” Ulysses said, his tone accusing. “If she hadn’t interrupted your speech, none of this would have happened.”
“She saw things more clearly than we did,” Crown Prince Bennett said, turning away.
“She is a good speaker. You should learn that from her, but everything else—”
“Don’t you think the future queen should have a say in kingdom matters? Olderea has two rulers for a reason, Ulysses. That is something you and my father do not seem to understand.” His voice rose and quieted. “And you’re wrong about her influence. It’s not what you think.”
“Perhaps, Your Highness, I would be more convinced if you hadn’t just been thoroughly kissed,” the steward said flatly. “I was young once. I’m aware of the effect these things have on people.”
My cheeks flamed. I wouldn’t be able to look Ulysses in the eye for at least a week.
Crown Prince Bennett seemed similarly ruffled, but I didn’t linger to hear his response. I was too humiliated, knowing that my actions may have gotten him in trouble with King Maximus.
