“Who?” I asked before I could stop myself. Then, remembering who the hell I was addressing, I quickly added, “Um, Your Majesty.”
Not sure what I expected, but it sure as hell wasn’t to see him smile. There was something sad about it. “Someone I knew long ago.” He touched his chest and tipped his head to me. “I regret that our meeting didn’t come sooner, Evan. My son speaks highly of you and your pastries.”
Sawyer clearly took after his father. Both had a gentleness to them that most wouldn’t expect from someone of their status.
“Prince Sawyer flatters me,” I responded, feeling oddly at ease in his presence. Well, more so than earlier anyway, when my whole body had been on the verge of shutting down, all the tiny Evans abandoning ship. Thankfully, they had returned.
“I’m told you accepted the invitation to the autumn ball,” the king said.
“Yes, Your Majesty. To say I’m honored is an understatement.”
“Bremloc is honored to count you among the fine establishments that help it flourish,” he said. “Since the opening of your café, we’ve seen a rise in profits all across the kingdom as people travel here to visit your business. Inns, taverns, and sellers in the marketplace have all been prosperous. For that, I thank you.”
“Oh. Well. You’re welcome.” My cheeks heated with the praise. I had never been able to accept it well. “I’m happy to be of service, Your Majesty.”
“King Eidolon,” one of the knights said. His uniform was more lavish than the rest, the insignias on his shoulder and chest more ornate. Gray streaked through his dark hair, showing a bit in his close-shaven beard as well. “I apologize for the interruption, but you’ll be late for your afternoon meeting if we don’t leave now.”
“Ah, Captain Vander.” The king smiled at him. “Don’t you know a king is never late?”
Captain Vander? Damn. He was the captain of the Royal Order. And if I remembered right, he was the king’s personal knight. His bodyguard, sworn to protect him above all else.
The knight’s cheek twitched, though he kept a straight face. It reminded me of my own captain. “I’m sure the archduke of Exalos would disagree with that assertion.”
“Bah.” King Eidolon waved his hand. “Let him disagree all he wants. However, seeing as to how I’m in no mood for his sharp tongue and the way his face reddens like a tomato when angry, I suppose we should leave to spare ourselves his wrath.”
“Be well, Father.” Sawyer bowed his head.
I did the same.
“And you, my boy.” The king turned and joined the armed men on the path. His gaze wandered back over to me, and that haunted look in his eyes reemerged. He then continued on his way.
“That was terrifying,” I whispered. “Is my head still attached? Am I in one piece? I can’t feel anything from the neck down. I think I’m in shock.” A sharp sting then dug into my forearm, and I jerked back. “Ow!”
Kuya wiped at his mouth and rose to his full height. The little brat had bitten me. “Evan can feel his arm now. The shock is gone.”
Sawyer threw his head with a laugh before trying to stifle it. “Now, Kuya. It’s not polite to bite people.”
“But Kuya helped,” he said with big, innocent eyes. “Kuya has earned more cake now.”
“You know,” I said, rubbing at my arm. “In his own way, he probably did think he was helping.” He hadn’t bitten me hard anyway. No teeth marks. There was only a slight pink blot. And slobber.
Beaming with a smile, Kuya grabbed Sawyer’s hand and pulled him along as he continued through the grass. I caught up and walked beside them.
More clouds had rolled in, blocking the worst of the sun’s sweltering rays. The added shade was a nice reprieve from the heat.
“My father’s behavior was… odd when he met you.”
“I feel like if I agree with you, my head really will be chopped off.”
He snickered. “Your head is safe, I promise.”
Sir Noah followed several paces behind us as we left the garden and entered a small courtyard, taking a narrow path that cut through a grove of trees and led to a pond. The same pond I’d caught sight of the time we’d eaten lunch inside the castle. Lily pads and flowers decorated the surface, and the trees had sweeping branches that brushed the top of the water.
“Who do you think King Eidolon mistook me for?” I asked.
“I’m not sure, to be honest,” Sawyer answered. “Perhaps it was someone he knew in his youth, from when he was our age.”
A strange sensation sank into my gut. I felt like I was on the cusp of something huge, some knowledge that would turn my world upside down. Or maybe it was only indigestion.
