Page 40 of Crown of Hearts
“It would be an honour.” He seemed to catch onto my hesitation and called for a servant to set the table. Everything smelled so wonderful.
“Perhaps His Majesty might join us later,” he suggested hopefully, as a servant helped me into my seat.
“I’ve been meaning to see him all day, but I believe he had other plans this morning, so I explored the city with Lady Cordelia instead.”
“And what do you think of Norrandale thus far?”
“It’s beautiful. Everything feels so lively and full of colour. The people look really happy.”
Thatcher shrugged, taking a bite from the food on his plate. “Looks can be deceiving sometimes.”
“Oh, don’t I know that.” I almost laughed. A servant placed a plate full of food in front of me and I thanked him. In my peripheral vision, I saw Thatcher observing me. Probably because I was paying more attention to the servants than I should have.Let him stare. I knew what it was like to be even lower than palace servants. I knew how people treated you when you weren’t born with money and a title. They were no less human than I, and I wasn’t going to let propriety stop me from showing common decency.
“Are you suggesting some kind of trouble growing in the kingdom?” I asked.
“Every kingdom has its troubles as you well know, Your Majesty.” There was no arguing with that. “Though Cai isn’t quick to confide in anyone about the things he’s dealing with.”
“When I first got to know him, I honestly didn’t think he had a single problem in his life. He’s good at hiding his feelings.” Itfelt somewhat strange to talk to Thatcher, a man I hardly knew, about Cai. But, to my understanding, this was his oldest friend. Thatcher was like Cai’s brother. If there were anyone to discuss Cai with, it would be him.
“What was my friend like in Everness?”
“More...” I thought about it for a moment. “More carefree, I suppose.” I bit my lip. “He didn’t consider the future with every decision. He was more likely to follow his heart.”
“Sounds like him.” Thatcher nodded. “These days he’s working most of the time. I worry about him.”
I forced myself to eat more slowly and cleared my throat. “What about you?”
Thatcher had put his book away entirely by now. “What about me, Your Majesty?”
“Well, I know you’re Cai’s friend and I know you used to get into a lot of trouble when you were younger.”
A smile formed at my words.
“But other than that, I don’t know anything about you.”
He sucked in a breath and relaxed back into the chair. “I’m to inherit all of my father’s money and business. Though he does have excellent men running most of it, which leaves me more free time for...” He hesitated. “Certain pleasures.”
“Cai seems awfully fond of you.” I tried to steer the conversation.
“He’s like a brother. I’ve known him my whole life.”
“I have a friend like that,” I said, thinking about Ray. Wondering where he was and hoping that by some miracle he was still alive.
“I didn’t know queens had friends,” Thatcher replied coyly.
“Maybe you’re right.” I sighed, taking another bite. “Maybe we only have allies and enemies.”
“Perhaps.” He took hold of the nearest cup and started filling it from a porcelain jug. “But it would be awfully boring otherwise.”
“I could use a little boredom.” I chuckled. “In fact, I wouldn’t even mind a lot of boredom.”
“Well, you certainly won’t be bored if you marry Cai.” Seeing my expression, he added, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. Cai confided in me about the matter.”
“I see.” I couldn’t blame Cai for telling Thatcher but felt embarrassed, nonetheless.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty.” He winked. “I won’t tell a soul.” He said it with enough sincerity that it made me feel a little bit better.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
