Page 165 of I Ran Away to Evil
Keith countered, “I assure you I take it most seriously. If you recall, Henrietta was actually supposed to slaughter my entire army and then kill me in my own inner sanctum.”
Rowen was silent for a moment. The fact that without Madame Potts neither of them would be here today left a deep impression on the pair.
“It pleases me that you’re not dead, Monfort.”
“The feeling is mutual, Your Majesty.”
Keith decided that was enough pleasantries and asked, “Can I expect you for Chloe and Julia’s wedding?”
Anyone who had arrived by today had received their invite to the wedding with their lunch. Keith and Henrietta had gotten theirs in person. Chloe had popped by at breakfast to personally hand them over.
“The Peldeep royal family will attend in some capacity or another. That’s who the letter is addressed to, anyway,” Rowen answered. “Inconsiderate. It’s like they don’t want me to come. Now, when have I ever caused mischief at a wedding?”
Keith opened his mouth to say he was there when Their Highness had pretended to be the bride or groom at no less than three such affairs, but he thought better of it.
Rowen sighed. “All these young faces; I’m getting too old for this. Maybe it’s time to abdicate.”
“I can’t imagine. What would you do with all that free time?” Keith ran his hand over Jacqueline. No response, so he fiddled with the ties.
“Sleep?” Rowen shrugged. Suddenly, their guise melted away, and an older-looking man with long red hair and a moustache stood up from the bench. He wore pants and a vest with pink accents. “Travel? Play with my grandchildren?”
Keith offered, “You could come tomywedding when it happens. I’ll officially invite you, Their Royal Highness Rowen of Peldeep. Ruler to Ruler. No ‘Royal Family of Peldeep’ nonsense.”
“Then I’ll attend.” Rowen reached out and put a hand on Keith’s shoulder. “Congratulations.”
“Don’t congratulate me just yet. I still have to ask the princess.”
Their Royal Highness looked taken aback, then they threw their head back and roared with laughter.
“I turned her down already, so we’ll see if she forgives me.” Keith smiled, content in the knowledge that Henriettawouldsay yes. Probably.
Rowen was still chuckling as they patted Keith’s shoulder a second time. “I knew there was a reason I liked you, Monfort.”
“I thought it was because I can see through your disguises?”
“Not just that.” They shook their head and let go, crossing their arms in front of their chest. “Though now that you mention it, Istilldon’t know how you do that!”
Keith sniffed. “I’m just an excellent judge of character.”
Their Royal Highness eyed the Dark Lord. “It’s not a skill? Or a perk? You’d tell me if there was a perk that could bypass my illusions?”
“Thereareperks that can bypass your illusions. And skills and spells. But I didn’t use them. I just happen—” Keith stopped as the ruler of Peldeep whipped his head in the direction of the tea party and frowned. “Oh, that’s not good.”
Keith felt a thrumming at his side.
CHAPTER 101
Wait! I Haven’t Been Tortured!
Henrietta
I’d met Duke Wyldon a few times in the Servalt Court. Once when I was visiting as a delegate for the queen’s birthday luncheon, and a second time when he’d been accompanying his king to sign a trade tax revision on the treaty between Drendil and Servalt.
Both times he’d been firm and professional and distant, so I was surprised when he stepped forward to be my partner for the luncheon. I allowed it, given our previous relationship, and the fact that I didn’t want to be the only young lady unescorted; all around us, young men and women were pairing off.
“It is a lovely day, Duke Wyldon.” I smiled, falling into the habitual etiquette ingrained into me at my mother’s knee. Namely, a bland face with a fake smile.
“It’s not raining, which I admit is a nice change.” The young man, perhaps twenty-one, glanced at the sky warily.
