Page 51 of Blooms of Darkness

Ian hadn’t relaxed next to me. Hale’s dark skin flushed as he clenched his jaw. I hated Frederich even more now. I would never choose him, regardless of who remained at the end of the trials.

“If I may, Your Majesty.” Lord West rose to stand beside Frederich. “He speaks the truth. It hardly seems a fair contestat this point. Especially with the captain being one of the top three today and getting the opportunity for private time with the princess when he has had this opportunity for years.”

A dry chuckle accompanied Lord West’s declaration. My gaze darted around the room to learn who it had come from.

Kade.

“Perhaps Lord West should have tried harder in the trial if he wished to have been in the top three,” Kade said, glancing my way with a grin.

His comment would not win me over, but I stifled my own smile at the sentiment and the fact he spoke up on my behalf.

Lord West snarled, clearly unamused. “Be that as it may, it still stands Captain Stronholm, in particular, has an unfair advantage. Should he be declared the winner, there will be an inquiry into the legitimacy of his kingship from my city.”

“And mine,” Frederich added, his pudgy finger pointed into the air dramatically.

Staring down the two contenders, I rose from my seat. “If it is my good graces you wish to be in, you will find bickering like children is hardly the way to win my affection. Least of all make me want to give you any of my time and attention, winner or not.”

The king gave me a sharp look, and I immediately shrank into myself internally. I never snapped in public. I had lived my life poised and emotionless on purpose in these settings, and I allowed two Fae to cause a change in my public persona.

However, I was done letting men make decisions for me and my “well-being,” and I would not allow my thoughts to go unknown any longer. Certainly not with insinuations to my private life laid bare, as if I wasn't there.

I curled my right hand into a fist, my fingernails digging into the skin in an effort to ground myself and return to my expected demeanor.

My father puffed out his chest, waving a hand. “Your concerns have been noted. And I can’t argue with the validity.”

My jaw dropped. The absolute ridiculousness of this. Ian and I couldn’t help we were close before these damn trials. Even Hale. How could I know this would have been my life all those years ago?

The king flicked his wrist to magnify his voice, ensuring everyone in the dining hall would hear his next decree. “Preparations have already been made for Captain Stronholm to be moved from the guard house to the contender's wing. Additionally, we are bringing in Princess Illiana’s former guard to resume his role as her personal guard for the remainder of the trials.”

My hand unconsciously flew toward Ian.No. I’d grown too used to Ian’s presence. I didn’t know if I could handle Ruppert again. His dreadful demeanor, eyeing me with disdain, his retirement brought me such relief. Besides, his absolute refusal to bend any rule dampened my hopes of continuing Hidden Henchman runs undeterred.

I needed Ian as my guard so we could have a reason to be together outside of the trials to discuss and carry out the Hidden Henchman requests. I trusted no one else. Not even to rely on to merely pass a message for me to Ian.

“Please know we appreciate the attention brought to this matter,” the king said. “We are accustomed to Captain Stronholm’s presence here. I didn’t think of how it may appear to others from the outside, wishing to make a good impression on our kingdom, and its future Queen. However, should he win, after we have made such accommodations, I expect for the decision to be respected.”

I hated my father’s compromise to pacify the whining nobles. Even if a part of me understood he had to play their game. We werealwaysplaying the game. An inquiry would lessen thecredibility of the throne. I knew we couldn’t have the turmoil, considering my lack of magical abilities. Civil unrest, in a time of so much uncertainty, would make things ten times worse.

“Would these accommodations satisfy you?” the king questioned, arching an eyebrow.

Frederich directed his gaze back to me, a sly, wicked sort of grin forming, his mustache twitching. I refused to smile in return. Instead, I stared him down, wanting him to lose the next trial so we could be rid of him once and for all.

He would be king over my dead body.

“It is, Your Majesty.” Frederich beamed. “We simply wish to have equal opportunities with the princess so she may get to know us as well.” With a quick bow, he returned to his seat.

“The princess is still within her rights to accept or decline time with you outside of the trials. May I take this time to remind everyone, she is not to be forced into anything.” The king’s stony tone had Frederich and Lord West exchanging glances I could not yet decipher.

Andras’s smug expression etched into my brain as I processed everything my father said. He relished every chance he had to put me in my place. That increased tenfold with Ian, since there were no limits as Ian didn’t have his king’s blood.

Instantly, I lost my appetite, pushing the bowl of soup toward the middle of the table. I didn’t dare sit next to Ian any longer. I would have to find another empty chair to occupy. I refused to have it be near Frederich or Lord West, even though they both eyed the empty seat between them.

The only other open seat remained next to Edmund and across from the third to last person I wanted to sit with right now. I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to walk toward the open chair with some sort of dignity. “Option” being a strong word at the moment.

“Princess, you honor us,” Kade drawled as I approached.

Pursing my lips, I replied, “There wasn’t much of a choice.”

I sat on the chair as the staff pushed me closer to the table. The moment I settled onto my seat a small strawberry salad appeared in front of me.

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