Page 74 of Crown of Hearts
“Sorry, Gwen, but surely you must know that your brother is attractive and there’s a reason he’s so popular among women.”
Gwen sent a look of disapproval in Romy’s direction. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s the most annoying person on earth.”
“Can’t be worse than my brother,” I muttered, without thinking, and they looked towards me.
“I’ve heard quite a lot about His Highness,” Lady Haisly said while Gwen’s eyes focused on her cards.
“And none of it good, I’m assuming.” Lance had a reputation, after all.
“At least you didn’t have to grow up with him,” Gwen muttered, still undecided on which card to exchange.
“That’s true.” I forced a chuckle. They might have heard about his drinking and frivolous parties, but I could never tell them who Lance really was, what he did to me and Cai.
“Don’t you think Lord Thatcher is handsome, Your Majesty?” Lady Romy asked.
“Mmh.” I tilted my head to the side, wanting to give an honest answer without making Gwen uncomfortable.
“He’s notbad-looking.”
“That’s a very diplomatic response,” Gwen said. “Though I suppose you prefer Cai’s features.”
I felt the heat crawling up my neck. Of course Cai was handsome. Anyone could agree he was good-looking. But having to admit it out loud made me squirm like a shy young girl.
“His Majesty is blessed with good genetics.” I was suddenly very focused on the cards in front of me. Luckily no queen of hearts yet.
“Don’t avoid the question.” Gwen tauntingly bumped my shoulder. “We all know you’re practically swooning.”
I gave her a look but let out a chuckle, nonetheless. The girls giggled behind their cards.
Was this what I’d been missing out on my whole life? I was enjoying myself and their company so much more than I’d thought I would. The group of them were so inviting and we could joke about silly things. For an hour, I didn’t need to worry about the politics of my kingdom or when the next council meeting would be. I could laugh about nonsensical things, my biggest concern the pack of cards in front of me and whether they contained a very specific queen.
“No but do you know what’s really been bothering me?” Haisly changed the subject. “Why is no one talking about Lady Marlowe’s dress from the other night?”
Chapter 20
Cai
“Can I borrow you for a moment?”
Elara looked up from the book she was reading to where I was standing in the doorway of the library.
“I believe it’s grammatically correct to ask if youmayborrow me and not if you can.”
I pressed my lips into a line to keep from grinning. “Look at you, telling a king how to speak.”
“Well.” She shrugged. “If anyone ever was going to tell a king how to speak, you and I both know it would be me.”
“I suppose that’s true.” I stared at her for another moment, leaning my head against the doorframe.
“Care to join me for a stroll?”
She sighed, looking up as if she was deep in thought. “You know, I’d love to, but this book I’m reading suddenly just got very interesting.” She held it up for me to see.
“I thought you didn’t like to read?” I crossed my arms.
“You’re right. This book is terrible. I’ve read the same sentence twenty times now.” She tossed the book, and I chuckled as she climbed over the edge of the settee in a manner very unlike the queen she was.
With her arm linked in mine, I led her out to the gardens. My guards followed and I had to ask them to stay back to give me and the Queen of Everness some privacy. Elara’s expression changed at this request, but she remained quiet at my side.
