Page 69 of The Heart of the King

Whatever she’d expected the older woman to say, that wasn’t it.

With the new information swirling like leaves on the breeze of her mind, Jazz headed downstairs to her office.

Where she’d try to get some work done.

Maybe she should just pack up Hazel and head to the cabin with her, because she was already pretty sure her plans to be productive would fail.

By midafternoon,David needed a break. His mind was on overload. Jasmine and Hazel had already left for the cabin. He’d meet them there later.

Originally, there were supposed to be meetings with the other monarchs, but after the scare the night before, all three had decided to return home.

He didn’t blame them, especially Edward and Astrid, not after what happened to Miriam the year before.

Letting Stewart know he’d be leaving the palace early, David went to the garrison then dozed the whole way to the cabin.

Once there, he decided to check on Hazel first. The room on the other side of hers had been converted into a temporary schoolroom and lounge area for when they were at the residence, complete with age-appropriate movies and video games.

“Hello?” he asked softly, peering into the room.

“Davey!” Hazel jumped up, her school workbook falling to the floor as she ran to him.

Mrs. Sneedly frowned a bit - at the name or the mess or both - but she didn’t say anything.

David picked Hazel up as she reached him. “Good afternoon, Hazel. How are your studies going today?”

She shrugged. “I don’t like maths.”

He chuckled. “I’m not a big fan either. However, we do need to know how to do them.”

An exaggerated sigh escaped from her. “I know. That’s what Mrs. Sneedly tells me.”

“Listen to Mrs. Sneedly. She’s a smart woman.”

Hazel fiddled with his tie but didn’t look at him. “Mrs. Sneedly said I’m having dinner with her tonight.”

“Is that all right?” He needed it to be. “Jasmine and I have some things to discuss, and you would be bored to tears. You’ll have a much nicer time watching a movie while you eat. It’ll be like one of those cinemas where they bring your food to your seat while you watch the movie.”

Hazel shrugged. “I’ve never been to a cinema.”

That surprised him, until he remembered the girl’s mother had basically hidden her away for years. “I haven’t been many times either. Perhaps we’ll go together sometime. Would you like that?”

She nodded.

There had been talks about converting some space in the palace into a cinema of sorts for the family, and occasionally staff, to use. Benjamin had one in the palace in Akushla. David’s father had started the process because he couldn’t be outdone by a younger king.

That would have to work for the time being, once it was done.

“Is my mama ever coming back?”

Hazel surprised him with the question.

Rather than replying immediately, he carried her to a chair and sat down with her on his knee. “What makes you ask that?”

“My mama did some bad stuff. I know the police took her. Is she ever coming back?”

David breathed a prayer that he’d know the right words to say. “Well, as far as I know, she’s not going to jail forever, but from what I’ve been told, it will be a long time. You’ll almost be a grownup before she gets to leave.” Maybe. “I know that’s got to be hard for you to hear, but I don’t want to lie to you and tell you she’ll be home soon either.”

Hazel nodded. “Thought so. She and Nanny talked about it all the time. She didn’t like you or Papa and told me you were horribly mean and wanted me dead.”

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