Page 41 of Crown of Hearts
“It’s none of my business anyway,” he continued. “Though I had to keep myself from giving that man a smack on the back of his head.”
“Why?” I frowned.
“I understand Cai needs to view everything from a political angle now. But some men would kill to marry a queen.”
“I suppose.” I shrugged. “Though not all men are fit to be king.” I thought back to Edgar wanting to blackmail me.
“Now that—” Thatcher raised his cup — “I couldn’t agree with more.”
“What are you reading?” I nodded towards the book on the table.
“Some old poetry collection. I didn’t want heavy reading material for lunch.”
“So, you decided on poetry?” I asked in slight surprise. I always thought poetry was to be examined, dissected even, read between the lines.
“You don’t prefer literature as a pastime, Your Majesty?”
“Not even if someone paid me.”
He laughed at my response. I dabbed my face with my napkin and pushed the chair back.
“Thank you for lunch. I’m going to see if I can find Cai.”
“It was my deepest pleasure. Thank you for keeping me company.” Thatcher picked up his book again.
I walked from the dining room to Cai’s study. It wasn’t the same one we’d spoken in when I’d proposed, and it took a while of searching and eventually awkwardly asking one of the servants. Why did this palace have to be so damn big? After much protesting, I’d finally been able to convince Rhen not to follow me around everywhere, that I was safe here. But it was difficult to find my way through all the halls and rooms.
I pushed open the door without knocking. Thankfully Cai didn’t have company.
I wouldn’t want to look like a complete fool... again. He looked up as I entered the room, his expression carrying uncertainty. Flashes of my dream came to mind and my eyes involuntarily travelled to his hands. I could still feel his breath against my skin.
Cai set down the papers that had been in his hands. “Lara. Please come in.” The study housed a large dark oak desk and many books lining the walls. I wondered if this had been King Eric’s study before it was Cai’s. Or had he chosen a different room, something that was his own? Regardless, there wasn’t much thought put into the decoration. It was simple and neat, suited to Cai.
“We need to talk.” I tried to keep my posture as straight and confident as possible. It felt like that was the only thing I’d been doing since arriving in Norrandale — trying to appear more confident than I actually was.
“Yes, of course.” He looked down at the papers on his desk and hesitated. “It’s only that now is not exactly a good time and—”
“Are you avoiding me, Cai?” I cut straight to the point.
“No, why would I be avoiding you?” he asked.
“I wanted to have breakfast with you this morning.” I stepped further into the study.
“I’m sorry, I was in a meeting,” Cai responded with sincerity.
“So I heard, and then I thought perhaps we might have lunch together.”
The study remained awkwardly quiet.
“But I see you’re busy.” He probably had many things on his plate, but was it too much to ask for a moment of his time? I turned to leave.
“Lara, wait!”
“Listen, Cai, I understand you have your priorities, but I have mine too, and whether I like it or not, you’re involved with that. I’m asking you to treat me like an equal and not a problem to be solved.”
“That was not my intention,” he responded swiftly.
“I believe you.” I sighed. He sat back in his chair. “But pushing me away is not going to make me leave. It’s not going to make any of this change.”
