Page 58 of The Promised Prince
Ezra said?
Trev hadn’t told Renna that.
“Officer Doman is challenging him for the crown.” Seran pushed a loose strand of hair away from her face. “I didn’t think much about it, but Ezra said he has a lot of followers. Definitely stay away from him, or else it might look like we’re favoring the competition.”
Jenica snickered. “Maybe we should send him back to New Hope with Renna then.”
The women giggled.
“You’d do that for Seran, wouldn’t you, Renna?” Jenica laughed over her shoulder.
Renna kept her eyes down on her book, pretending she hadn’t heard them.
Seran spoke over her cards. “That’s not necessary. Renna is free to marry whomever she wants.”
Not true at all.
Renna kept her face expressionless as she stared at her book but was grateful for Seran’s defense.
Sheridan turned toward Queen Mariele. “May I ask how the negotiations are going with the marriage treaty?”
The queen looked up from her letter. “There are a few details left to sort out about trade. Once those issues are agreed upon, the document will be drawn up for review by King Carver, myself, and King Bryant’s advisors.”
Renna had heard about these negotiations for years. The vital New Hope military, access to New Hope ports, trade considerations in Albion, and the exchange of votes at the Council of Essentials, promises that if someone voted for this, someone else would vote for that.
Whatever happened to voting for something not because you were in an alliance, but because it was the right thing to do?
Her mother continued, “I imagine we’re only a few days away from signing.”
Sheridan nodded in an official way as if she understood all the ins and outs of the agreement. “It’s good to have those things taken care of before the ceremony.”
“Seran, let’s talk about your wedding,” Lizanne said with excitement. “I want to hear every detail of the plans so far.”
Renna definitely didn’t want to hear every detail. She stood to leave.
“Leaving so early, Renna?” Jenica smiled wide and Renna’s stomach soured.
“It looks like it.” She wanted to say something catty but managed to suppress the urge.
Renna left the ladies behind, taking the side stairs up to her room. She was finally getting the layout of this enormous place. She pushed the door open to her room to see Nora’s small frame standing there all giddy.
“Miss Renna, a secret admirer came to visit.” She walked over to the bed and pointed at a small box on top of her pillow.
“A secret admirer?” Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “Who?”
“I don’t know. I was getting fresh towels. I’m sure it says on the note.”
Renna reached for the paper and unfolded it.
Renna,
Normally, I would compliment you on how beautiful you looked tonight at dinner. I would tell you how I wished you were sitting next to me, conjuring up one of your pretend stories, or how I wish I could spend time with you again just to see what crazy thing you’ll do or say next. Normally, I would say those things to you, but I’m not going to do that. I’m not going to flirt with you—I promised I wouldn’t.
Tybolt
Renna laughed as she reached for the box and opened it. Inside were four individually wrapped squares of chocolate.
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