Evelyn plastered on a smile as Bargain magic burned in her throat. “Councilor Ritter and I will remain friends. But Alexander has my heart.”
“Sounds like he had Princess Hannah’s heart, as well,” Lord Stuart added.
“Oh hush, Fontaine,” Lord Robert scolded. “We’re moving forward! Let the girl enjoy her engagement. Don’t you remember what it’s like?”
“Not especially,” Lord Stuart sneered.
Lord Robert and Lord Grégory discussed the extensive guest list for the wedding, but Evelyn couldn’t keep track of the names. Nicolas used magic to fling blueberries at the back of Lord Stuart’s head while he wasn’t looking.
“Will you come outside with me, Princess?” Nicolas requested when she was done eating.
Evelyn agreed and they walked onto the patio, leaving the other lords behind.
“Damien told me you overheard our meeting with Alexander the other day,” Nicolas said.
“Enough of it, at least. I appreciated you throwing my name into the hat.”
“So you admit that I am solely responsible for you becoming a queen?”
Evelyn laughed. “Sure, let’s say that.”
His eyes shone with amusement. “Happy to help.”
“Do you know why my father was so against me? I know he said Hannah is better at everything, but…” Evelyn trailed off and fussed with her curls.
“I don’t know.” Nicolas rocked his head from side to side, making a decision. “Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but your father wasn’t in a great mood this morning. I thought he had received bad news until Alexander came in and announced the engagement.”
Evelyn groaned. “I don’t understand what I did wrong.”
“Not that this narrows it down, but I don’t think it’s about you.”
“Maybe.”
But I don’t want my father upset that I’m getting married.
Gods, how is Hannah going to feel? I need to talk to her.
“When was the last time you had a normal day, Princess?” Nicolas asked.
Evelyn considered it. “Let’s see… This morning, I got engaged. Yesterday, Councilor Ritter showed up at dinner.”
“Am I allowed to ask about that?”
“Nope. Before that was a funeral, a murder, fighting with Alexander, attending the ball, waking up in a hospital, surviving an explosion, and finding mutilated soldiers.”
“Is that all?”
Evelyn shrugged. “My first couple days here weren’t too bad.”
Nicolas touched her arm. “Can I ask a stupid question?”
“Go for it.”
“Are you okay?”
Tears filled Evelyn’s eyes before she had even consciously processed the question. She shook her head.
“Should we slip Lord Stuart a sleeping potion so he can’t attend the wedding?” Nicolas suggested.
