Page 11 of The Prince's Wife

Aradishir groaned, burying his face in his hands as everyone laughed.

"Your son is delightfully charming," Heydar said, offering her more wine.

"Thank you," Relanya said. "He is a handful, but there is no one I love more."

"He seemed delightful. The whole court will adore him by the end of the week," Aradishir replied. If they didn't, he'd make them regret it.

The hand that nudged his thigh warned him at least three people at the table could read his thoughts. Aradishir stifled a sigh. "I think I've stolen all the attention for this luncheon. Tell me of your home, or a story about your son." Or maybe how many more children she'd like. Aradishir wouldn't be content until there was a little girl just like her in every way.

Fuck, he really was the stupidest person alive.

"There was the time he escaped his nursery and I found him sleeping with my father's sledding dogs," Relanya said with a long sigh. "My heart stopped, and the poor nurse thought Iwould terminate her on the spot, but I can hardly punish other people when he escapesmeall the time."

Aradishir laughed. "Bakhtiar was also good at escaping his caretakers. Don't leave him and Kerrin alone, Bakhti will likely share notes."

"Marvelous," Relanya muttered. "Could I get some more of this wine?"

Snickering, Heydar dutifully refilled her cup and offered it up.

Outside, the wind was howling in earnest, battering the shutters so hard Aradishir half-feared they'd bust open, even though he knew very well that Tavamarans knew how to keep sand outside no matter what the circumstances.

"So what do you like to do for fun, Your Highness, on the rare occasion you have free time to enjoy?"

"Read, relax in my garden, enjoy music and performances. My father's concubine Nandakumar is the finest musician in the entire kingdom, and he plays for the family sometimes. I always greatly enjoy those evenings."

Relanya smiled. "I always enjoy plays. They're a highly popular pastime in the coldest months, when we get no sun, just endless night. Too cold even to go outside, so entertainment is vitally important and plays the most popular version. One of my favorites is about a woman whose family is utterly destitute and on the verge of being cast out of their home. She becomes a brigand, accosting the wealthy and powerful on the road, taking their valuables to sell for money to help her family. Until she winds up having to kidnap the daughter of the evil duke, and of course there's all sorts of trouble and they fall in love… It's really quite a wonderful tale. I watch the play every year, multiple times. I have books, illustrations, and more."

"You'll have to loan me one of the books, if you're so inclined. I'd love to read it, given how avidly you speak of it."

"Of course!" Relanya pressed her hands together, as excited as a girl promised a new dress or toy. "I can't wait to discuss it with you." Lowering her hands, she accepted another sip of wine from Heydar and then said, "What sorts of things does Prince Bakhtiar like?"

"Bakhtiar likes to be a—oof." He cast Merza a dirty look. "That was uncalled for!"

"Be nice," Merza said, unrepentant.

Rolling his eyes, Aradishir tried again. "My brother is bad at holding still. He loves todo. Archery, horse riding, foot racing, the absolutely absurd challenge where they race barefoot over rocks during the hottest part of the year to prove who is the most talented at being stupid…"

That sent Relanya into a fit of giggles that made Aradishir forget all about his dumb brother. She was so sweet and pretty andfun. He could speak with her like this for hours.

He could do plenty of other things with her for hours, but he wasn't even going to think about letting his mind wanderthatroad.

"How in the world did that become a tradition?" Relanya said. "Not that I can judge. We do something similar back home with cutting a hole in the ice and jumping into the water. Proves manliness or something."

"Proves strength, determination, discipline, endurance, a severe lack of intelligence, and a weird desire to burn one’s feet for no reason at all…"

He could listen to Relanya giggle and laugh all day, every day. Especially if all he had to do was ruthlessly mock Bakhtiar.

"Is there a prize for winning this race of burning feet?"

Aradishir grinned. "In fairness, if you do it correctly, there's no burning, and the prize is typically a large purse, with second and third place prizes being things like wine. It's already happened this year, but you can certainly attend nextyear. Bakhtiar would love to know you're there watching him. He doesn't race for prizes, though. There's a race for the purse and then a race of friendly competition. Usually when he wins, he donates the same amount as the purse to a charity."

"That's lovely, how thoughtful."

Bakhtiar had stolen the idea from Aradishir, but he didn't mind leaving that detail out, because stolen was overdramatic, and Bakhtiar had done it with a good heart and sincere intentions.

"It makes him exceedingly popular, which is good, because we're going to drop him on the throne eventually."

Erfan slipped back into the room then, expression grim.

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