Page 30 of Oath of Rebellion

Gastone turned to Eirwyn and smiled tightly.

"I see Chancellor Howe in the corner. Why don't you go say hello, sister?"

Eirwyn's face froze, and she stiffened. "I'd rather not. He's very handsy."

"But everyone in the kingdom knows how free with your affections you are, and the chancellor is in his prime. Perhaps with some encouragement from you, he can get some laws passed about the sky high taxes."

Eirwyn took a deep breath and frowned. This was why she didn't want to sleep with any nobles. It was too complicated, too political.

"I will not be used for your political gain, brother, not even to help lower the taxes and win you favor with the people."

He narrowed his eyes as Bella gasped again. Eirwyn felt a prickle of fear and awareness race up her spine at Gastone's flashing eyes. A small curl of white smoke drifted from his nose.

"Eirwyn, that's enough. You're going to ruin everything," Bella whispered.

Eirwyn took a deep breath and let go of her brother's arm. She curtsied deeply, and as she rose, she said, "Pardon me, your highness. I meant no offense. I'm going to mingle before the dinner bell if you don't mind. Please excuse me."

She didn't wait on the king's reply and dismissal, but she figured she had already made him mad. All she could do was hope for escape and that he'd forget. She turned and walked to the edge of the room, hugging the shadows and avoiding the general. Once there, she could breathe much deeper.

It seemed like she only took two breaths before the dinner bell sounded. Chancellor Howe appeared in front of her. He was older than her brother with an arrogant smile that made her skin crawl. He was almost as power hungry as her brother.

He held out a hand. "May I escort you into dinner, your highness?"

"Ah, yes, thank you," she said, taking his hand and raising her head. It was pointless to argue, as the dinner processional was very strict about who sat next to who. It was all about ranking, and as the highest ranking member of the Council, she was used to dinners with him.

The man's nose twitched as he leered slightly. "I've been looking forward to your return, your highness. I was worried about you going through the forest home."

"Not worried enough to accompany me though," she said with an overly bright, false smile.

He shook his head. "You couldn't pay me enough to step foot in those accursed woods. Truly, I thought you would perish on the road."

She shrugged as he seated her at one end of the table. He took the seat directly on the end, opposite of Gastone down the long table. To her left sat a foppish, young noble.

He grinned and took her hand. "Your highness, what an honor to sit next to you tonight. I've been wanting to meet you ever since my cousin, the Duke of Edgemere, told me of your beauty."

Eirwyn smiled coyly, but inside she cringed. The duke had chased her for years, but the man was old enough to be her grandfather. This young one must be his heir to have earned a seat at the engagement ball dinner.

She only hoped he'd get too tipsy at dinner and would be too far drunk to proposition her. There was nothing like nobles trying to outdo one another and get under her skirts. She sighed, already bored with the evening.

Perhaps she could sneak out to the tavern in a few days and get a real feel for the rumor mill. At the very least, she'd be able to breathe.

She sat at the table, her dress too tight and barely leaving her room to eat. All the forks, all the place settings, the rules and social etiquette... it was so very overwhelming.

After a nice, relaxing, simple meal in Olive's cottage, she felt the weight of her role as princess weigh on her that much more. She smiled at the nobles across the table and tried to bring them into conversation, the easier to manage the advances of the duke's heir and the Chancellor.

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