Page 19 of The King's Bodyguard
“A princess,” echoed Landis, flashing her a stiff but welcoming smile. “Princess Erellia, I presume?”
“Gods!” The girl rolled her eyes. “So dull and boring. Are all of the royal family in Sumarene so stiff?”
“Stiff in the ground more like,” Rolf mumbled next to me.
I choked back a laugh. Down below, I could see Landis’s back between the crowds gathered. He had maintained his poise, but I could see tension creep a little into his shoulders. One of his hands half curled into a fist. I wondered if anyone else noticed how Landis forced himself to relax and tip his head deprecatingly.
“Apologies—“ he started again.
“No,” Erellia said, suddenly hopping off her horse in one smooth motion. “The apologies are mine. I shouldn’t tease you so. Papa and Mama would get their tails in a twist if Madame Rathe told them I was rude.”
Perhaps Erellia had noticed Landis’s discomfort?I couldn’t help but wonder. Recognizing that Erellia was in fact simply joking, Landis relaxed a bit further. He gamely offered her an elbow and led her up the stairs as though she were also wearing her best.
“You were a scout today?” Landis asked carefully.
“I hate riding in the stuffy carriage,” the princess replied. “Especially with Madame Rathe. She always makes me read aloud the most boring books.”
“Oh?” Landis asked. “What kind?”
As he passed me, for a second, our gazes met. His blue eyes were wide with barely masked unease, but before I could respond, Landis was moving into the great hall beyond.Schooling my features into a more neutral, professional look, I followed the courtiers in.
Judging by the princess’s shocking entrance, it looked like Princess Erellia was going to take Landis on an adventure. Part of me was happy for Landis, but deep down jealousy began to gnaw. I didn’t want Landis to sweep her into the great hall on his arm. I wanted him to take my own arm.
I consoled myself with the thought of finding him asleep on the lounge chair later that night. I would once again be able to carry him in my arms, care for him, and ensure his comfort. Perhaps he would ask for me to stay again.
And if he did... what would I do?I didn’t know the answer to that. Yet, I knew that whatever that moment held for us, it would be ours. For now, at least the princess didn’t have that.
Chapter 9
Landis
“Where is Princess Erellia?”
That was the common question these days. Almost every single day, I overheard one courtier or maid asking where Esteria’s trouble-making princess had gone. Ever since the princess had arrived on horseback posing as a scout, she had proved herself to be quite a handful for Madame Rathe and my royal household.
And nobody said a peep. At least, none of my servants, guards, or courtiers openly did. It was imperative that Sumarene, vulnerable as it was, should maintain civil relations with its southern neighbors. Everyone bit their tongue and carried on. Meanwhile, if I were to show up with the wrong tunic on, tongues would start wagging about whether the king was taking his responsibilities seriously or not.
Sometimes, I mused,I don’t know whether I want to laugh or cry.If I was honest with myself, I had to admit that even I wasdriven to frustrated tears on more than one occasion. I had little to no desire to marry, but I was attempting to make an effort.
Every morning, I would rise, put on the clothes my valet laid out for me, and then break my fast alone in the empty dining hall. The princess apparently rose earlier than I and would often pack her food before disappearing on some jaunt or adventure in the countryside. Meanwhile, I was stuck attending meetings concerning state affairs all morning long.
And if I so much as look at a window, Cousin Morne is ready to accuse me of daydreaming or some such nonsense.I frowned crossly as I stomped down the curving stairs from the upper floor of the royal castle down to the great receiving hall.I am trying to make an effort. Surely he can see that!
Usually, after a morning packed with state meetings, I was allowed an hour and a half of respite. If I had my way, I would spend the time eating my luncheon in my private garden with Corrin. Alas, like all Munni, Corrin was sound asleep during the mid-day, and so I ate lunch alone.
The afternoons were a little more diverse. Some days, I would spend time with a variety of tutors who were intent on cramming as much information about the kingdom into my head as they could. There was a dancing tutor, a stiff madame, who was overseeing my education in courtly dances. Sometimes, I would have meetings with staff to handle, with public law officials, with jewelers, with artists seeking a patron, or with tailors.
Before dinner, if I was lucky, there might be strategic meetings dealing with matters of state security. During those periods of time, Corrin would be present to lend his experienced voice alongside the rest. No matter how Lord Elthorne droned on, I found myself invariably more awake and invested during those meetings.
Even now, as he walked behind me to the dining hall where my breakfast waited, Corrin provided me with his ever steadyingpresence. I imagined Corrin remaining at my side all day long. Princess Erellia should have been the one whose presence I pined for, but someone else had already captivated my heart. Corrin was the one I wanted.
Not that Rilla is a terrible person, I reminded myself.She’s a lark... when she’s around. There’s a wild energy to her that I admire, but she’s never around. I sighed.If we could meet more often, perhaps without her elderly companion, something could blossom between us. Respect and care at the very least. Respect and care.
Like two pebbles dropping into a still pond, the two words sent a ripple through my thoughts. Despite the difference in our station and the professionalism that Corrin worked hard to maintain between us, the dark-haired Munni embodied those two virtues. If I could be half as respectful and kind as Corrin to Rilla, I was sure to be a good husband to the princess.
Even now, as I sat down before my breakfast, I could hear him debriefing Ser Anderson who was to take his post. My heart sank. Ser Anderson had arrived early for once, and that meant that Corrin was relieved of his duty. He couldn’t possibly remain with me for much longer. His bed was no doubt calling him.
“I will depart,” Corrin was saying civilly.
