"It was fantastic, Kiki."
She couldn't see him but knew Enzo sat down on the chair next to her. "I've been meaning to ask you something. Where did you hear that nickname?"
It took him a minute to answer. "I'm not sure. Your brother? I think it was when I spoke with him after..." He hesitated. "After becoming king."
After his mum passed.
"Yes. He told me Kiki had called. It didn't register until later, so I didn't ask him where it came from."
"I was Vicki to my family when I was little. One of my brothers couldn't say Vicki, so I became Kiki until we all got a little older. It never became public."
"I won't tell anyone."
Victoria opened her eyes and looked over at him without actually moving her head. "I know. I hope that didn't sound like an accusation."
"Not at all." He reached over and covered her hand. "Does it bother you?"
She thought about that for a second and decided it could be a good thing. "No one's called me Kiki in a long time. I kind of like it."
They sat in silence for a few more minutes.
Enzo stood and held out his hand. "Come on. You've got to be exhausted."
After letting him help her up, Victoria lifted her skirt a little bit with her free hand. Tripping wouldn't be a good plan.
She still hadn't learned her way around the palace as well as she'd like, but she was still pretty sure they weren't going the right way.
Her suspicion was confirmed when Enzo opened a door that led outside. "Where are we going?"
He just smiled. "You'll see."
They walked through the garden and then back inside. After a bit more walking, they turned down a hallway she recognized.
Victoria started to ask a question, but decided not to. As they neared the end of the hallway, he stopped and turned to her. "Close your eyes."
She gave him a wary look but did as he asked.
With her hand snug in his, they took a few more steps before he stopped her. She felt his hand on her lower back as he urged her forwardinto the archery nook.
With her eyes still closed, Enzo stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Open them."
The nook had been transformed into an actual reading area, complete with a comfortable chair, blanket, electric heater shaped like a fireplace, and cozy lighting.
"This is beautiful." Tears filled her eyes as she looked around. "How'd you get that chair in here?"
She could feel his chuckle against her back. "Some secrets are meant to stay secret."
"I love it."
"I have something else for you." He didn't move, so she didn't either.Enzo let go with one arm and seemed to reach into his pocket. "Close your eyes again?"
Victoria nodded as she did.
She heard a quiet snap. It sounded familiar but she couldn't quite place it.
"Open them?"
This time the first thing she saw was a box with a beautiful ring inside.
