“That’s true.” Evelyn shifted her weight uncomfortably. “But mostly I feel like I’m missing out on the wonders of your kingdom by not getting to see any of its famous magic.”
“It’s much more difficult to charm a princess without any of my usual tricks.” Damien winked at Evelyn in a way that made her stomach swoop.
“I’ve heard that men used to court ladies with flowers and chocolate instead of tricking them.”
“Well, that sounds exhausting,” Damien decided.
“Princess Evelyn,” General Savatier interrupted. “Please let me know when you tire of Captain Fontaine. I would be happy to assign him additional duties. I’m sure he remembers how to clean the barracks.”
“You wouldn’t!” Damien said with wide eyes.
The general crossed his arms. “Did I hear that you stabbed a man at a tavern two nights ago?”
Damien relaxed. “I was having a nice dinner with the princess and misplaced my knife.”
“You areluckythat we had bigger concerns that night.”
Evelyn saw red. Specifically, the red of the fire in the explosion. “I don’t think the two hundred people who died would say anything about that night waslucky, General.”
Damien flinched, but Evelyn didn’t regret it.
“You are right, Princess,” the general said apologetically. “My choice of words was a mistake.”
“Why wasn’t I ever questioned about that night?” Evelyn asked.
Savatier looked at her curiously. “Prince Alexander requested that no one bother you. I assumed you knew that.”
“Prince Alexander?”That doesn’t make any sense.“Why would he?—”
“One of the perks of being a princess,” Damien interrupted. “You don’t have to relive that night over and over for the sake of paperwork.”
19
Heart
Damien, Evelyn, and General Savatier were still talking at the edge of the ballroom when a handsome, silver-haired man approached them.
Haydn! He’s alive!
Evelyn took an involuntary step back as her heart leapt to her throat.
Damien threw a protective arm around her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“He was at the bar that night!”
Damien looked at the man, who had started chatting with the general, then back at Evelyn. “Ritter? He helped me pull people out after the explosion.”
“What? No?—”
“Princess Evelyn,” General Savatier interrupted. “Have you met our guest from Lochmatten yet? This is High Councilor Haydn Ritter.”
High Councilor?
Councilor Ritter bowed, causing locks of his wavy silver hair to fall out of place. “It’s wonderful to officially meet you, Princess.”
Evelyn barely heard him over the memory of his voice in the bar:“I want to drag you into a dark corner and fuck you until neither of us can remember our names.”
He’s a High Councilor from Lochmatten? He absolutely did not mention that! Is that how he saw through the illusion? Is that how he knew who I was?
