Page 54 of Crown of Hearts
“Thank you.” I gave him a warm smile as he stood at the head of the table.
“To friends.” He lifted his glass, and we all toasted with our wine.
The first course was served, and Ray looked at the cutlery with uncertainty. I gently placed my finger on the knife furthest away from the plate. He gave me a grateful smile from across the table.
“So how are you finding Norrandale?” Gwen asked Ray. She sipped on her wine with interest.
“I’ll confess I haven’t seen much of it apart from the main travelling roads, but the palace really is something.”
He looked at all the food as if he were unsure where to start. Ray’s discomfort made me realise how accustomed I’d grown to this lifestyle.
“Cai’s recently had a new library built in the city for all the public to use. It’s the biggest library Norrandale’s ever had.”
I was grateful that Gwen found it so easy to make conversation with strangers. If it were up to me, the whole lot of us would probably be sitting in dreadful silence.
“Though I don’t suppose you read much.” Thatcher spoke up before Ray had a chance to say anything.
I looked up from my plate in slight surprise. Was that supposed to be some kind of insult?
I saw Ray’s jaw clench at the comment. “No, I’m more of an outdoor person.”
“Cai’s the same,” Gwen continued, unbothered by her brother. “If he didn’t have to work in his study, I’m sure we would never find him inside.”
“That’s not true,” Cai countered, with a grin. “I don’t mind sleeping inside.”
“You know what I mean.” She waved him off.
“Cordelia and I were in town the other day, but unfortunately, we never got around to the library. Then again, I’m not much of a reader either.” I made my best attempt at contributing to the small talk.
“Yes, if anyone were planning to punish you, it would take nothing more than forcing you to go through a thick book.”
I met Cai’s eyes and shook my head at his little joke.
“What about you, Lady Anesta?” Gwen turned her interrogation to the next victim. “Are you fond of reading?”
“I don’t mind it.” Anesta shrugged, though I wondered how she ever got around to reading when she had to run after me all day.
“Are you planning on staying here for a while?” Cai asked Ray, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else in the world.
“Not long, no.” He met my gaze. “My queen has sent me on an important mission.”
“That sounds exciting,” Gwen replied. “What kind of mission?”
Cai looked to me, and his eyes seemed to ask the same question.
“I’ve asked Ray to look for my sister.” My voice came out softer than I would have liked.
Servants entered the dining room and removed our plates, which were quickly replaced with a new dish.
“You mean the rumours are true that the princess is missing?” Gwen’s eyes were wide with intrigue.
“Unfortunately, yes.” I reached for my glass and took a long sip of wine.
“That seems like a very personal mission. You must be very well acquainted with Her Majesty.”
I couldn’t tell who was more peeved by Thatcher’s comment, Cai or Ray. No one responded.
“Please remind me, again, how you and Her Majesty know each other.”
