Page 26 of Redemption of a Prince

“Marco?”

Nikki?

“Polo?” he called back.

“Marco!” Her voice sounded closer and louder.

“Polo!” He started toward her voice and found her wandering near the yellow sitting room.

“There you are.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t find the main elevator. I only found the one in the ballroom and didn’t know how to get anywhere from the front door.” A grin crossed her face. “I didn’t want to yell too loud, but I didn’t want to call and interrupt your phone call. I’m just glad someone heard me. I didn’t know the royal family played Marco Polo, though.”

Zeke shook his head. “We didn’t. We played Sofós Voskós, but the concept is the same.”

“My friend’s family used to do it at the market when they couldn’t find each other, too,” she told him as he led the way to the small dining room where they’d be eating.

“I’ve never heard of anyone doing that.” But he didn’t go to the market much either.

Zeke held Nikki’s chair for her, trying to be a gentleman.

“Thank you,” she muttered.

He took a seat across from her.

“What’s for dinner?” Nikki slipped the napkin out from under her silverware and laid it in her lap.

“I think we’re having soup and then a pasta dish, but I’m not sure.”

The side door opened and two of the newer staff members brought in their first course. Zeke didn’t think he’d met either one of them yet.

“Thank you,” he and Nikki said in unison.

The soup was a tomato-based soup, but Zeke wasn’t familiar with which one.

“This is good,” Nikki told him after a couple of bites. “Everything I’ve had at the palace is excellent, too.”

“Agreed. I’m not sure I’ve ever had anything I didn’t like. You eat a lot of salads though, and you eat alone.”

She looked up at him, her dark blue eyes wide. “You’ve noticed that?”

Zeke shrugged. “I usually eat alone, too. Most of the time, I eat in my office or in my quarters, but when I eat in the dining room, I’m usually by myself. I look around and observe. I’ve noticed that when I see you there, you’re also alone and usually eating a large salad, rather than something more substantial.”

“Have you ever had one of those large salads? They usually come with some kind of poultry on them, and a variety of vegetables. They’re quite filling.” She took another bite of her soup.

“Hm. I guess it’s just different tastes. I need something more than a giant salad.” He hoped that didn’t sound judgemental, but it was true.

“A lot of people like different things. Some people like to read. Some people don’t. Even among those who do read genre preferences are varied. Some people eat big salads. Some people don’t.” She set her spoon down. “I have tried some of the entrées. They were all excellent. I just haven’t tried ones I didn’t expect to like in the first place. There’s no sense in wasting food.”

“Good point. But if you ever want to branch out, ask for a sample serving. They can often bring you just a little bit for you to try.” Zeke set his spoon down.

“I didn’t know that was a thing. Thank you for letting me know.”

The two staff members came in and removed the soup bowls before setting down plates of pasta with pesto sauce in front of them.

“Thank you,” they said in unison again.

They didn’t say much as they ate, but he noticed Nikki mostly pushed the food around on her plate. “Does it taste all right?” he asked.

She sighed and nodded. “I’m just anxious about this meeting. It’s my first big negotiation like this. I know you’ll be there, too, but it feels like it’s all on me.”

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