I want to be in Leo’s arms as much as I want to push him down the stairs. I could slap him for talking about me and Damien like that, but I would beg to hear him say my name again. I hope he’ll come around the corner and find me, and I’m terrified that he will.
Ultimately, Leo walked downstairs without knowing Evelyn had been only feet away.
23
Boundaries
Evelyn tried and failed to concentrate on a book. She hadn’t left her room yet, grateful for Damien’s breakfast delivery. But it was late morning, and Evelyn became more anxious the longer she was alone.
I should tell Hannah what happened with Leo at the ball. If she’s going to marry him, she should know the truth. But why is that my responsibility? Leo should tell Hannah. He’s been lying to her, too.
“Evelyn?” King Tristan called through the door.
Reluctantly, she got up to let him in.
“How are you doing, sweetheart?”
“I’m spectacular today, Father. How are you?” Evelyn replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Do you want to talk about what happened last night?” The hesitation in his voice made it clearhedidn’t want to discuss her love life.
“No, I really don’t,” Evelyn said honestly.
He already knows Leo lied to me and I fell for it. That’s enough humiliation for the month.
“Well,” King Tristan continued, sounding relieved, “I need you to join us for lunch today. Councilor Ritter’s ship leaves for Lochmatten this afternoon.”
“Why is that my problem?” Evelyn snapped.
Her father’s brows lifted at her reaction. “He asked about you this morning. Ritter said the two of you had a nice conversation last night, and he wants to see you again before he leaves.”
“Absolutely not.” She crossed her arms and kept her new tattoo out of sight.
The king frowned. “Did something happen that I should know about?”
Evelyn didnotwant to explain that she accidentally made a worthless Bargain. “I did not enjoy his company yesterday.”
Her father sighed with exasperation.
That’s the same face he made when I was a teenager and got in trouble for setting the curtains on fire when I wanted out of a tutoring session early.
“Evelyn, it’s not a betrothal. You just have to eat lunch in his presence. Is that really so awful?”
“Probably.”
“This isn’t something we can refuse. Lochmatten is our ally and Councilor Ritter is part of their leadership. He has equal status to King Gerard.”
“That means he has equal status to you, too! You should be able to say no.”
“I am not going to deny a request this trivial. A princess can be expected to attend a meal in the palace where she is aguest. So unless Ritter did something truly offensive last night, you will come downstairs for lunch in an hour.”
Evelyn was not in the mood for this, today of all days. “Fine.”
“Good. Hannah and I will be there, as will the Ducasse family.”
Evelyn’s stomach dropped. Her father added that last comment as a warning, reminding her that the prince would be there. She hadn’t even thought about that. All week, Evelyn had never attended a meal in the palace dining room at the same time as Leo.
Gods, how is that even possible? Did he avoid me on purpose? Had he skipped dinners and stayed out late with Damien just to keep his secret?
