“Indeed. There are rumors that he took something from King Silas, the king of Haran, before running away with the other woman.”
“What did he take?”
Sawyer shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
A memory stirred in the back of my mind. My second day in Bremloc, Maddox had taken me to the barracks, and I’d sat with some of the knights. It was when I’d first met Duke and Quincy. I had asked why Bremloc was at war with the kingdom of Haran.
“The king’s youngest brother worsened the conflict,”Quincy had said.“Or so the stories say.”
“What stories?”
“The one about the lost treasure of Haran,”he’d responded.
“Lost treasure?”
Quincy had smirked.“Stolen.”
“Some kind of royal treasure, maybe?” I asked. “Like a magical amulet or a ring. Hmm.”
Sawyer seemed amused. “Perhaps. No one knows for certain. And it could only be rumors.”
I pondered the idea as I ate more bread. “So your uncle broke off his engagement with the princess of Haran, possibly stole something, and then ran away with another woman. What happened to him after that? You said he died. How?”
“I regret to say I don’t know much more.” Sawyer stood from his chair and patted the top of Kuya’s head as he passed him to go to the window. “My father will tell me very little about my uncle. Some of it comes from anger and shame. But I think it also comes from sadness. Elias was his younger brother, and I’m told my father doted on him when they were growing up.”
“That’s sad.”
“Yes. Quite.” Sawyer turned to me with a kind smile. “Would you like to go for a walk? I’m suddenly feeling too restless to stay inside.”
Kuya hopped out of his chair, his earlier sleepiness gone. “Kuya wants to go too.”
“As if I’d ever go anywhere without you.” Sawyer took his wrist in a gentle hold. He didn’t pull him closer, but I got the impression he wanted to. “Wrap up a few crab cakes and bring them with you. You always get hungry during walks.”
Purrs filled the air as Kuya held the prince’s gaze. “Kuya will bring some for his prince too.”
“It’s an honor to be one of the rare few you’ll share food with.”
“Kuya will always give Prince Sawyer his food.” His purrs intensified.
I looked away from them, an ache settling in my chest.
Noah stood in place along the wall, so quiet I’d almost forgotten he was still in the room. He didn’t look at them either, but I noticed the slight crease of his brow as he carefully watched the only doorway in the room.
“As much as I’d love to stay longer, I should probably head back to the café. But I hope you enjoy your walk.”
“Oh, of course.” Sawyer nodded to me. “I apologize for keeping you so long. You’re a working man now.”
“Yep. Finally found a job I can keep,” I said, then gave an exaggerated sigh. “Couldn’t cut it as a knight and was banned from wielding anything sharp by my hot boyfriend. Got fired from the clinic by my other hot boyfriend. I nearly caved and became the court jester. Thank god for muffins and coffee, right?”
Sawyer laughed. “It’s always a pleasure to see you, Evan. You make me forget about things for a while.”
“It’s always good to see you too.”
Did I need to get back to my café? Yeah. But I also wanted to give them some time alone. After the heavy discussion about Sawyer’s future arranged marriage, I knew their time was limited. Once Sawyer married Alina, would Kuya be allowed to stay by his side? Or would he be sent away?
By the sad gleam in Sawyer’s eyes as he returned his gaze to Kuya, his thumb smoothing along the top of Kuya’s hand as he held him just a bit tighter, I doubt he knew the answer either.
“Allow me to walk you out,” Noah said as I reached the doorway.
