Page 30 of If The Crown Fits
“No, they didn’t. Though I haven’t been there in ages myself. I should think evenIwould have trouble finding it now.”
“Would you show it to me, if I ever come to Norrandale?” I frowned.
“What do you mean,ifyou come to Norrandale? Surely your brother has discussed with you the arrangements of our union?”
“Oh, right.” She looked away. “Lance hardly tells me anything. But I suppose it makes the most sense since you are to be king of Norrandale one day.”
We started walking along the water’s edge. “You will miss your kingdom?”
“Some of it I might miss. Some of it I won’t.” Her expression suggested there was a lot she wasn’t telling me, but I wasn’t exactly in the mood to pry. My gaze shifted to the necklace hanging around her neck, which fitted perfectly. When I’d sent her the gift, I was unsure if she would wear it, but the jewels suited her.
We stopped walking when one of her guards, Rhen, ran up to us. “Your Highness, we shall set up camp here tonight and continue our travels in the morning.”
“That sounds like a good idea, thank you.”
He nodded, but his eyes lingered for a moment too long, as if he were trying to tell her something else. Something I wasn’t supposed to see.
“So, when you’re not running about the woods and threatening people with their own weapons, what do you do in your free time?”
She chuckled. “I am sorry for that. Why don’t we just call it even?”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re not quite like any princess I’ve met before?” I asked jokingly.
“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” she responded.
“I never said it wasn’t.”
“To answer your previous question, I enjoy needlework and listening to piano music.”
“Really?” I asked in surprise.
“Not at all.”
I watched her laugh.
“I like being outside. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” It was nice to know we had at least one thing in common. It was a start.
“What about you?” She brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. “What do you do when you’re not lurking about the woods in disguise?”
“I would hardly call it lurking.” I chuckled. “But like you, I prefer being outdoors. Horse-riding, hunting or even if it’s just to take a walk outside, breathe in the fresh air. We have the most beautiful beaches in Norrandale, with long stretches of white sand and crystal-clear waters.”
“It sounds wonderful. I can’t remember the last time I was on a beach.”
My forehead creased between my eyebrows. “I thought Woodsbrook Manor was in a coastal town?”
Her head swivelled in my direction. “It is.” She cleared her throat. “Of course it is. I go into town sometimes, but for whatever odd reason, I never seem to visit the beach.”
Right.
“How do you feel about shooting with a bow?” She quickly changed the subject.
“I haven’t had proper target practice in quite some time,” I admitted. “But I’m not opposed to it.”
“Then would you be up for a little competition some time?” Eloisa smiled.
“You like to shoot with a bow?”
