“No,” Evelyn said, backing away from him.
Damien appeared at her side. “It’s okay. You don’t have to.”
King Tristan and Hannah approached the coffin to give their respects. Slowly, and in order of rank, everyone else had a chance to do the same.
Damien walked Evelyn back to the carriages. When they reached the road, Damien leaned down to check on her.
“I just couldn’t,” she told him.
“I know. It’s okay,” he repeated, brushing loose hair off her face.
Evelyn reached up and traced the gold music note on the front of Damien’s uniform. It was only a small distraction, but it was enough. He didn’t stop her.
“Isn’t your family here?” she asked. “You should go see your sisters.”
“They are, but no. I would rather stay with you.”
Evelyn’s heart fluttered. “I thought you didn’t like babysitting me?”
“Well, you do cry a lot.”
“Shut up!”
Damien laughed. “You wouldn’t know what to do if I were nice to you.”
“You could try it anyway!”
“Nah. Teasing you is much more fun.”
Evelyn and Damien waited almost an hour for everyone else to return to the carriages.
King Tristan wasn’t pleased with his youngest daughter. “You embarrassed us, Evelyn!”
“I wasn’t comfortable being there,” she explained.
“It’s not about you!” Hannah interjected. “We are here to support the Ducasse family.”
“I can be supportive without going near a dead body, Hannah!” Evelyn yelled. “I’ve seen enough of them already while you’ve been having tea parties!”
“I have been doing what a princess is supposed to do!” Hannah said, her voice uncharacteristically loud. “You would understand that if you tried acting like a princess for once!”
“At least I have my own opinions and my own dreams,” Evelyn argued. “You would marry a llama if Father told you it would turn into a prince.”
“Enough!”
Evelyn didn’t even recognize the voice until she saw Leo.
I’ve never heard him sound so angry… or so much like a king.
Hannah clasped her hands together and lowered her head respectfully.
Fuck that.
Evelyn stood tall and looked directly at Leo.
He stared back at her. “Can I talk to you?”
“Yes,” she agreed curtly.
