Page 131 of The Promised Prince
56. King Adler didn’t come to the Council of Essentials. Not a big surprise there. He doesn’t follow the Council of Essentials rules anyway, so why would he even bother coming? He sent some advisors, though. They were annoying.
57. I really like King Davin of Enderlin. King Bryant introduced us formally, and I think there’s a lot of good we can do with Enderlin as far as transportation and trading goes.
58. Do you really think King Reddick is better looking than me? You were joking, right?
59. I got public transportation approved for everyone! My first essential item as king. You are the first person I wanted to tell. I think you’d be happy about it.
60. I miss you so much it hurts.
61. Have you found a good-looking guy from Vassel to keep you company these past few months? I hope not.
62. There’s a lot of political dinners and parties and a lot of political men trying to throw their daughters at me. I’m not saying that to make you jealous. I’m just saying it.
63. Can you believe it has been 166 days since you pretended to drown, and I pulled you out of the water? It has also been 132 days since I last saw you, but who’s counting? Definitely not me.
64. The king of Cristole proposed that clothing dyes should be essential for everyone. I voted for it. I already told you I thought the distinction of color was stupid. It passed.
65. Your mother and I mostly avoid each other. I think she’s worried I’ll ask her about you and I’m worried she’ll bring up our kiss. Avoidance is much easier.
66. Drake is in love with Lizanne. He denies it, but I know.
67. I wonder how long this list will get. I wonder if I will ever stop thinking about you.
68. I don’t like Jenica. Is that okay to say?
69. I just realized, if we got married, your name would be Renna Trevenna. That’s awful! You would need to go with Renna Degray Trevenna, just to break it up a little bit.
70. This is the last week of the Council of Essentials. I’ve learned so much from the other leaders. I think the world is in good hands. Well mostly—we’ve still got King Adler and Tolsten to deal with.
71. King Bryant and I have had some side conversations with other leaders. Everyone wants to avoid a war with Tolsten. We’re going to hold tight for now. There are rumors that Tolsten rebels are challenging King Adler on his own soil. Adler won’t have time for a war with Albion if he is trying to keep his throne from the rebels.
72. I wish you had been here in New Hope this past month. You promised to show me around.
73. I had a dream about you last night. You were swinging on a tree swing, which was weird since I’ve never seen you on a swing, and you’re not five years old, but I’m not complaining. You looked beautiful with your hair blowing back and forth. I can’t seem to get you out of my head.
King Bryant poured Trev a drink as the two men sat in the king’s office. The room wasn’t anything extravagant. It was painted a light cream that almost looked yellow, and there were a few pieces of art hung on the walls. Two leather chairs sat in front of his wooden desk, and a black sofa leaned against the wall under a window. It was all very modest compared to King Carver’s office, which was now Trev’s office.
The last official meeting for the Council of Essentials ended yesterday, and all the rulers were preparing to go home.
“I’m glad I got you alone before you leave tomorrow,” Bryant said, handing him his glass.
“Oh yeah?” Trev took a sip of the tangy liquid, letting it tingle down his throat.
“I want to talk to you about Renna.” Bryant sat on the couch, his leg resting across his knee.
Trev looked at his glass, not knowing what to say. He had almost made it an entire month in New Hope without having to talk to Bryant about her.
“Mariele told me a few weeks ago about you and Renna, and I can only guess what you were going to say when you stopped the wedding ceremony.”
If there ever was a man Trev didn’t want to disappoint, it was Bryant. Even more so than his own father.
His eyes dropped to the floor. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of it to happen. Seran deserved better from me, and I let you both down. I’m so ashamed.” The weight of guilt dragged him down again. Would it ever go away? “I hope you can forgive me.”
“I was angry at first. Livid, in fact. You’re right. My daughter deserved better than that.” Trev braced himself for the king’s wrath. “But my anger made me a hypocrite, and that realization was very confusing. I was enraged for Seran, but at the same time, I felt sorry for you.”
Trev let out the breath he’d been holding, startled by the king’s words. “Why would you ever feel sorry for me? This was all my fault.”
“For the last ten years, I’ve put politics over my daughter. I never should have made the marriage alliance.” Bryant shook his head with regret. “You might not know this, but many years ago I was in your same shoes. I loved a woman I wasn’t supposed to and was forced to marry another—a princess.”
