“Did you attend the last Paravellian Balls five years ago?”he asked.
“No.”
“Interesting, what brought you to Paravellia for this year’s events?”
My fingernails embedded into my palms as I tried to craft the perfect response.He was digging.Searching for answers I couldn’t give him.
“My brother recently became head of the court,” I said.“He sent me as a diplomat to represent Allowyn in the hopes of securing better trade deals.”
“Such as?”
“That information is reserved for my kingdom and I.”
He shrugged, walking faster and forcing me to keep up with his long strides.
“What about you?”I asked.
“What about me?”
“I need to be aware of who I am striking an alliance with.”
He chuckled.“I am Prince Valeris, seventh in line for the throne, master of cunning and head of securing my father’s alliances.What more do you need to know?”
You forgot to include your arrogant jerk award, I wanted to say.
“Why did your father put you in charge of securing his alliances instead of one of your other siblings?”
“Because I’m the best.”
I had never wanted to slap someone more.
I ground my teeth together, biting back the insults grappling to get out.
“But you’re the youngest,” I said.“Surely your older siblings would have better sway and more experience.”I hesitated.“Or possibly even your uncle?”
Valeris led us onto a balcony, seating himself at a glass table and gesturing for me to join him.The wind tugged at my hair as I sat across from him.
“My uncle has no more political sway than the head housekeeper.”
My nose crinkled.I thought he and his uncle were close, but he apparently didn’t hold him in high regard.I leaned back, taking in the grand view of the city that the balcony offered.A servant placed two goblets on the table, filling them with chilled water from a pitcher.
“That’s a pretty condescending tone for not only your uncle but the brother of the king,” I mused, trying to tread carefully.“Your family must not care much for him.”
He shrugged.“Enough to allow him to live with us.”
I dropped it after that, afraid the prince might become suspicious.
But now I knew where his uncle slept.
“How did you find out about the murder?”The prince unsuccessfully tried to hide the curiosity in his voice.“Are there rumors circling?”
I took a sip of my water.“Rumors always circle from below, but this one came from the gambling dens and was traded for in secrets.”
The prince crossed his arms, lifting his chin and studying me like a conundrum.“How do you intend to solve it?”
“I have my ways.”I twirled the glass in my hands.“But first I need to know everything.”
His suspicious green eyes met mine, sunlight lightening the dark auburn of his hair and giving it the appearance of glowing embers.
