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“Do you mind,” I asked, interrupting their lighthearted bickering, “if I ask you all a personal question?”

“Of course,” said Eliza. They hushed their laughter and conversation, looking at me expectantly.

“Are any of you … well, married?”

Faline and Albert looked at each other from across the table, perhaps shocked by the question, before Faline said, “The king doesn’t allow relationships, in our positions.”

“But Queen Kat said his wives are allowed loving relationships,” I said. “Doesn’t that include her maids as well? It’s just that I need someone with experience on the subject to explain to me what it’s like to be … in love.”

“Can we pause for a moment,” said Eliza, pointing at Faline and Albert, “and talk about the look you two just exchanged across the table? How long have you been bedding each other?”

“Eliza,” Faline warned, blushing scarlet. I grinned as Albert stole a cookie from my plate, halved it with me, and put the whole half in his mouth, as if to avoid speaking.

“I’ve been working with you for years, and you were never going to tell me? I feel betrayed.”

“To answer your question, my lady,” Faline said, shooting a warning glare at Eliza. “Love is a beautiful thing, when it’s with the right person. Even so, it takes a lot of work and sacrifice.”

I blinked at her. “Work?”

Albert gave me a reassuring smile. “More so on the man’s part. He has to earn the privilege of her presence, and making a woman happy is—”

“Albert,” Faline warned.

“A delightful challenge,” he finished, and put another cookie in his mouth. This time a whole one.

“But if you find the perfect person,” I said, “shouldn’t it feel easy? Shouldn’t it feel as if you were made for one another? As if all your problems go away?”

“What a sweet notion, my lady,” said Albert. His kind approval never ceased to make me feel as if I’d accomplished something simply by speaking. “Sometimes, it does.”

“Are you asking this, Cali,” Eliza said, leaning closer, “because you think you might be in love?”

I felt myself blush. “Well, I-I—”

There was a knock at the door. I startled Faline as I leapt from my seat, ignoring her chastisements to behave like a lady when I rushed to open the door. There stood Beric. Tall, dark, and handsome—I could have died from how handsome he looked standing there, with his hands behind his back. He’d clearly bathed and changed out of his white battle clothes, because he was back in his usual black attire. It was odd how quickly black was becoming one of my favorite colors.

“Good evening, my lady,” he said.

“Good evening, my lord,” I replied, forcing my voice to sound somewhat normal and failing miserably. “How are you feeling?”

“How am I feeling?” He paused, as if he wasn’t sure what I meant. “How’s your scar?”

“Oh, it’s fine.” I patted my leg, covered by my many skirts. “I barely know it’s there.”

“Would it be all right if I examine it?”

“Examine it?” I felt myself blushing. Violently. “With my maids in the room?”

“Naturally,” said Faline, “it would be inappropriate for him to ask us to leave.”

But I wanted them to leave. I had no real reason to be embarrassed, since the women literally bathed and dressed me. But this just felt different. As if I was bound to give myself away with others watching.

What is there to give away, Cali?

Besides, I imagine he’d seen every inch of my legs in the coach … which didn’t necessarily make this situation any less suggestive.

“Yes, of course,” I said. “Do come in.”

I looked at Eliza, who raised a brow with a smirk. Stop, I mouthed, and she pressed her lips together to keep in a laugh.