Page 57 of Ruling the Green

“Not really.”

His gaze cut down to mine. “You are, though,” he said. “Legally, we are married. And I am the prince. So you are a princess.”

I liked that.

Way more than I should have.

“Now, do you have any last words?” he asked with a private little smirk for me.

“When in doubt, just hand me more food.”

They all chuckled at that as Jet offered me his arm, and we made our way down the hall with Vishen ahead of us and Nira walking a few feet behind.

The chorus of voices pulled us in the direction of the dining hall, the sound so loud it made my shoulders rise up.

I was getting used to being around other people, but perhaps not so many of them all at once. I could only catch a word or two here or there, everything swirling around in my mind until I felt dizzy.

Seeming to sense my discomfort, Jet pulled me more firmly against his side as he stopped to speak to someone who called out to him.

Their gazes slid to me on occasion, but because Jet didn’t invite me into the conversation, they didn’t either.

I reminded myself that I wasn’t being rude, that this was a persona I needed to play. That I was doing this because—

Grimwood.

Like my thoughts had conjured him, there he was. He was in a charcoal tunic with matching slacks and shining jewelry adorned his fingers, wrist, and a single, very large medallion sat at the center of his chest from a chain.

Feeling me tense, Jet followed my gaze just as Grimwood turned to look in our direction.

Jet turned in toward me for a second, his voice just for me. “It’ll be okay. But we have to greet him. It would be strange for you not to see your father. Two minutes and it will be over.”

With that, Grimwood started toward us, arms outstretched.

I tensed, sensing he was about to embrace me, when Nira stepped in the way, appearing out of nowhere.

“You can’t touch the princess,” she said, her hand on the hilt of her sword—a silent threat. One I knew her well enough to know she would absolutely deliver on if she had to.

“That is my daughter,” Grimwood insisted, chest puffing.

“She is the princess,” Nira countered. “A title that supersedes your offspring.”

God, I loved Nira.

A muscle ticked in Grimwood’s cheek.

“So be it,” he said, looking down his nose at Nira as she stepped back to the side.

“My dear,” Grimwood said as I stared daggers at him. “My Prince.” He ducked his chin ever so slightly for Jet.

He was not ready to accept the disrespect, though.

“Your Princess,” Jet clarified.

“Pardon me?”

“She is your Princess, not your dear.”

Grimwood’s jaw went to granite. “Very well. My Princess. I hope you are settling into your new accommodations without complaint.”