Jeremy lingered a few feet away, his posture tense, and I noticed the other guard was no longer with us.
“I’m sorry to have called on you like this, but with my schedule, I wanted to see you before I left,” my father said, slightly slurred.
I blinked in surprise. Was my father drunk? I shot him a cautious glance, studying his face more carefully. “What did you want to talk to me about?” I replied, keeping my tone even. I didn’t like it when he drank heavily.
My brows scrunched at that thought. I wasn’t sure why I had thought it.
“A drink for my daughter, please!” my father rang out, and a barmaid scrambled over from the corner of the room and placed a mug of ale in front of me. Before I could reach for it, Jeremy snatched the mug off the table, taking a quick sip before setting it back down.
My father beamed at Jeremy, as if his action were a grand display of loyalty, but I wasn’t amused.
I shot Jeremy a scowl, to which he responded with a smug smile that I ignored. He knew that was unnecessary. This entire village was filled with the royal guard and their families. Only the most trusted by my father resided here.
“Thank you, Jeremy,” my father said, clearly pleased. Then he turned back to me, his tone shifting. “Now, Zara, I wanted to discuss this… situation with your mother.”
My body went rigid. This could not be why he had called me here—there was no way.
“It has come to my attention that you haven’t left your room since your argument,” my father began, and I immediately glared at Jeremy, who now stood stone-faced behind me. My father laughed, loud and hearty, clearly unbothered by my anger. “Don’t blame the boy; he’s only doing his job.” He hiccupped, then took a long drink from his glass.
“Your mother just wants what’s best for you, Zara. She’s looking out for your safety, as am I.”
“My safety…” I muttered, my voice laced with frustration. “I did not do what she said I did.” My cheeks heated. I so did not want to discuss this with my father.
My father shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Yes, well,” he began, clearly struggling with the topic, “your mother feels you need to start taking your courting more seriously. I hear you still don’t have a date for the ball next week, and I was thinking… Atticus is a nice man, young—”
I choked on the ale I had been sipping. “What?” I croaked, coughing to clear my throat. My father asked me here to set me up? With Atticus? Jeremy appeared beside me, offering a napkin, but I could barely acknowledge him as my mind reeled.
“Atticus is a handsome gentleman,” my father continued, oblivious to my distress. “A bit older, but once you get to know him—”
“I already have a date for the ball,” I blurted out, cutting him off, my words tumbling out in a panicked rush.
My father’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Really? Who?”
Panic tightened my chest as my mind raced for a name, any name. I glanced around the tavern, searching for an escape or inspiration.
“If I may interject, Your Majesty,” Jeremy’s voice rang out smoothly, and he stepped forward to face both of us.
My father nodded in his direction, an odd, knowing smirk on his lips. My brow furrowed in confusion, but my frantic eyes found Jeremy’s golden stare.
“The other day I asked the princess if she would escort me,” Jeremy said smoothly, his voice calm yet purposeful. “I thought that being new to the castle and with our recent training sessions, itwould help me get to know her and your family better. However, if you wish for her to attend with someone else or find it unsuitable for me to escort her, I would step aside without question.” He bowed deeply, his face a perfect mask of humility and respect.
I stared at him. No, not him. I didn’t want to spend an entire evening with him…but I also didn’t want to spend an evening with Atticus…ah, was there no one else? My heart sank as my father beamed, his gaze flicking between Jeremy and me with satisfaction. “Your mother will be pleased to hear it,” he said, signaling to the barmaid for another drink.
My stomach churned, and I blinked in disbelief. How had I let this happen? Why hadn’t I come up with someone—anyone—else?
“Seems I’ve called you here for no real reason after all.” My father chuckled softly, leaning in to kiss my forehead. “Sorry to have dragged you away for nothing.”
As I stood from the table, I caught Jeremy’s eye briefly. His expression was unreadable, hovering between amusement and something else I couldn’t place.
“Safe travels, Father,” I whispered before turning on my heel and walking out of the tavern, my mind already spinning.
Once we stepped outside the tavern, I whirled around and shoved Jeremy backward. “I didn’t need you to save me,” I yelled, and he looked at me like I had two heads.
“You were practically begging for someone to intervene,” he said, his features hardening. “And don’t kid yourself—your father saw right through the act. He knew I was lying. Your panic was as clear as day.”
“My father was drunk, and I would have come up with something.”
Our stares locked in a heated exchange, and the young guard who had accompanied us here froze as he emerged from the tavern, his eyes wide with uncertainty.
