Page 59 of Ties of Deception

I bobbed a curtsy. “I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting. I hope you will forgive me. My maid fell and hit her head. It was really quite nasty—it knocked her unconscious. I couldn’t leave her with a physician when I could heal her with my Blessing. But it took me a while to get her comfortable and stabilize her, and then I had to finish dressing without her aid.” I lowered my head then peeped up through my eyelashes, hoping I looked contrite yet innocent. “Please forgive me.” Charity glared at me over the prince’s shoulder.

Sebastian frowned. “It sounds like you’ve had quite a morning. Of course you should have attended to your maid, but you could have called on others to help you.”

I smiled a shy smile. “I didn’t want to bother anyone when I could simply heal her myself. But I will ask a physician to check on her later.”

Sebastian laid a hand on my arm, leaning close so I would look him full in the eyes. “It was kind and compassionate of you, Purity. It’s good of you to care about your servants.”

He turned to Charity. “Thank you for your concern and for keeping me company, Charity, but I will use the remainder of this time to get to know Purity.”

Charity stood and beamed at the prince. “Of course, Your Highness. It’s always nice to have a chat, however short. I will see you later.” She walked back the way I had come—when she glanced back, her eyes were on the prince alone.

Prince Sebastian pulled out Charity’s seat for me. I hoped she hadn’t hidden anything on it.

He sat down opposite me and poured me a glass of juice before pouring his own. Since he drank from the same pitcher, I presumed Charity couldn’t have risked placing anything in it. She hadn’t expected me to come, after all. “I’m afraid our conversation will be shorter than normal due to your stressful morning, but I’m sure we’ll have other chances to converse in the future.” He raised a hand to signal for a servant to bring us food. The smell of eggs and toast wafted from under covered dishes along with platters of cold meats and fruit. My mouth watered, and my stomach clenched in anticipation. Moon blossom must have heightened my appetite.

I helped myself to the food, trying to be dainty and not overly eager, despite how my stomach was eating itself alive. “I do hope so. I enjoy your company.”

He grinned at me, his whole face lighting with pleasure, and pushed back the unruly black curls of his fringe. “You joining Mother’s list was a most unexpected surprise. But it is much easier for me to get to know somebody when I’m able to invite them to a public breakfast.”

I thought of his private meetings with the goddess in the garden and how she had been so eager to kiss him. He seemed to manage well enough.

I met his dark eyes. “Please tell me more about yourself. I would love to get to knowyoubetter.”

He huffed a laugh and scooped some scrambled egg onto a spoon. Every mannerism of his was smooth and precise. Attractive. “Hmm. I like good food and wine. I’m active. I like dancing and horseback riding. Swimming in the river. And I’m good at the short sprint. I like to study politics and economics, but I need frequent breaks. I feel like distractions are good for me.” He grinned at me as if I were one such distraction. “What about you?”

I took a bite of cooked tomato and egg as I thought. “It’s a hard question since I’ve been alive for such a short time. I haven’t had long to experience new things and discover what I like. I’ve spent most of that time in my family’s villa in Yienna. But so far, I enjoy watching dancers and walking in the gardens. Feeding fish calms me.” I leaned forward and raised my eyebrows. “Maybe you could teach me some of the other things to see whether I like them or not. For example, in the Fertility Festival, I didn’t even know how to direct my horse!”

He waved his fork at me. “That is an excellent idea. After whatever task Mother sets is over, I’ll arrange for us to go riding and swimming together.” He winked at me. “I don’t want to be an unhelpful distraction before then. I suspect whatever it is, it will be hard work.”

I smiled. “Thank you for being so considerate.”

He grinned. “You know, I love your hair loose like that. It catches the light better than when it’s hidden in coils and braids and whatever. I don’t think gold chains or crystal or jewels can add to its beauty, only subtract when they would be inferior to its glorious color.”

A servant strode over with efficient strides and bowed to the prince. “Your Highness, I’m afraid breakfast time is finished. The envoy is due in the meeting room any minute.”

Sebastian sighed and looked down at his half-eaten plate. I winced. “I’m so sorry. My tardiness has kept you from eating.”

“Some things are worth waiting for.” He scooped up one last, large mouthful and stood, swallowing it quickly. “I’ll see you soon, Purity. I look forward to our swim.” He flashed his characteristic charming grin before following the servant from the courtyard.

Nobody came to escort me, so I took my time finishing my own breakfast, even helping myself to a second serving. What would the empress’s task be? Whatever it was, I had to do well. Whether the prince forgave me or not, I had been late today, and I was already the empress’s least favorite. I needed to excel.

I finished my meal and headed back to my rooms to see if Flavia had slept off the drug yet. She would likely be hungry too.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Ascroll arrived at lunchtime. Flavia was eating beside me, wolfing down her food in a manner that was quite amusing, considering how reserved she usually was. Thankfully, my Blessing had cured her headache and fatigue, but she was mortally embarrassed—despite how many times I had told her it wasn’t her fault—and even hungrier than I had been.

She berated herself for the hundredth time. “I just can’t believe you managed to get yourself ready without me. The dress isn’t easy. I let you down. I failed you.”

“Nonsense. We got through it. Next time we won’t be so easily caught out. No more incense.” Flavia gave a firm nod of agreement before pushing a large slice of bread and cheese into her mouth.

I cracked the wax seal on the ribbon and unfurled the scroll—it was from the empress. My heart thudded with excitement to find out what the next stage would be.

I scanned the curling script. “I need to organize a political banquet. I suppose that is what empresses do. It will be held in some staterooms in the middle of Fierro in four days’ time. Four important nobles from Hassia, Vekatna, and Suza have been invited, along with four important families from Yienna and…the Aidis, along with three of his companions.”

Flavia was staring at me with wide eyes. “That could be a hard group of people to please. They won’t easily be impressed with such a young Grace. Not to mention, the Aida will lower the mood. The Unseen Lands and Suza are not on good terms—we’ll need to sit them at opposite sides of the room. And only four days…” She stood with a determined expression. “We should get to work at once. I’ll make up for this morning, I promise you.”

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