Page 72 of The Promised Prince
“I suppose we’ll be busy the next few months with the election approaching. My advisors say we’re going on a few city tours...to promote the alliance.”
“That’s the plan. If it’s okay with you, of course.” Trev had never asked Seran what she wanted to do after they were married.
“It’s okay with me,” Nalissy chirped, clapping her hands in front of her.
Seran reached forward and nudged the small girl. “If it is okay with Nalissy, then it’s okay with me. I’m happy to do whatever is necessary for the election.”
He bit his lip. “You know, there’s a chance I won’t win, even with you by my side. Joniss is extremely popular.”
Seran worked a braid through Nalissy’s hair. “I know. My father prepared me for that possibility.”
“What does your father think if I lose? I’m guessing that would make me a disappointing choice in husband for his only daughter.”
“It would be a bit of a shock, I’m sure. But, if you lost, we would go back to New Hope, establish a presence there, and then you or I could run for king or queen when my father’s reign is up.”
Trev didn’t like that plan. How would he ever get over Renna if he had to live so near her?
Seran continued, clearly oblivious to the battle raging inside him. “The more I get to know you, the more I am convinced that you will win Albion’s election. Joniss has some popularity, but he doesn’t have my country backing him.”
Trev released the hair twist, letting Seran’s black hair fall onto her back. “That’s what my father says.”
“King Carver!” Nalissy interjected, picking up bits and pieces of their conversation.
“I believe in you,” Seran said. “And I will stand by you. I’ll help you win the election. And together, we’ll rule the kingdom honorably.”
He appreciated Seran’s loyalty and unwavering support, but it came with a fresh dose of guilt centered around Renna. On paper, it all seemed so perfect. So easy. But nothing about Trev’s situation felt easy.
He spent the next hour with Seran and Nalissy talking about silly things, laughing, and playing until the transporters arrived to take the children back into the city. Seran waved at the little arms and hands stretching out from the windows until they all disappeared down the royal drive and out the gates.
“That was fun,” she said as they walked back across the lawn toward the palace, servants already bustling around them to collapse tents and gather up lawn games. “Usually I’m not fun in settings like these.”
Trev shook his head. “I thought you did great.”
Seran hesitated like she was trying to find the right words. “Sometimes I worry so much about being dignified that I don’t connect well with people. I try so hard to be a princess that I forget to be a person.”
“I think everyone struggles to be themselves in front of others.”
“You don’t seem to, and neither does Renna. She’s always herself. You’re very similar in that way, and I sometimes wonder if you would have been better suited marrying someone with a personality like hers.”
Trev’s stomach dropped. How was he supposed to respond to that? “Renna and I do get along well. She’s easy to talk to, so we’ve become friends.” At least, he wastryingto put her in the friend category; he wasn’t making much progress. “But if our friendship makes you feel uncomfortable, I can...” What? Try harder? Lock her in her room? Put a blindfold on whenever she was near, so he didn’t notice the nuances of her facial expressions? There was no right answer.
“I can avoid her,” he said finally.
I think.
“That won’t be necessary.” She pursed her lips together into a slight smile. “Renna is harmless.”
He was starting to think she didn’t know Renna that well because she definitely wasn’t harmless. She was harming his thoughts, his sleep, his work—pretty much every aspect of his life.
Seran straightened. “I just hope that I can complement your life in the way you need me to.”
Trev tried to offer a reassuring smile. “I hope to do the same for you.”
Seran nodded before changing the subject. “Any word about the missing girls from Axville?” The concern in her eyes was apparent.
Trev shook his head. “Nothing yet. We sent a letter to King Adler last week, but it’s still too soon to have received his response. I don’t want to go to war with Tolsten. I just want to resolve this peacefully.”
She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m sure it will all work out.”
