“We should put you in charge of security,” Damien suggested.
“A wall of fire around the palace isn’t the worst idea,” the general considered.
“I would appreciate you keeping my daughter out of military operations, gentlemen,” King Tristan warned.
Lord Stuart Fontaine entered the ballroom and bowed. “Alexander.”
No one knows what to call Leo yet.
“Thank you for coming,” Leo said.
“It is my pleasure to serve the Crown,” Lord Stuart declared. “The Auditory Court is loyal to you and your family.”
“Suck-up,” Damien whispered into Evelyn’s ear.
“I appreciate that,” Leo said in a monotone.
“I’m afraid there isn’t much that can be done yet,” General Savatier said. “Not until the other lords arrive.”
“You can make yourself comfortable in the sitting room,” Damien told his father.
Lord Stuart hesitated. Taking orders from a captain was beneath him. But when no other directions came from the new king or the general, he didn’t have a choice. “I will do that.”
Once his father was out of the room, Damien stepped away from Evelyn. “I have more work to do, but I will return if I get any updates.”
“Thank you, Captain Fontaine,” the general said.
Damien whispered something to Rory, then left.
“Sweetheart,” Evelyn’s father said. “You should get some breakfast and relax while there’s time.”
She put her hands on her hips. “I was just on a scavenger hunt for seventeen probably dead bodies. You want me to eat a pastry and take a nap?”
General Savatier turned his laugh into a cough almost fast enough.
King Tristan wasn’t amused. “Stayoutof trouble andwithyour guards.”
Evelyn rolled her eyes and walked away, not entirely sure where to go.
“Princess Evelyn,” Lord Stuart called as she passed the sitting room. “Do you have a minute?”
“I—”
“Apologies, Lord Stuart,” Rory interrupted. “The princess is needed elsewhere.”
“Of course,” the lord said with his lip curled into a fake smile.
Rory and Simon ushered Evelyn out the front door.
“And where is it I’m needed?” she asked.
“Captain Fontaine gave me additional orders to keep you away from Lord Stuart,” Rory explained.
“Why?”
“He didn’t say, Your Highness.”
“What am I supposed to do out here?”
