Page 86 of A Kingdom's Heart
“The king’s orders,” he said
Lorenzo’s brows lifted slightly. “Oh?” His voice carried a note of amusement. “And why was I not informed of this?”
William didn’t blink. “Because I was informed only moments ago,” he replied. “His Majesty wished it to be enforced at once.”
My pulse quickened, though I didn’t know why. A part of me knew William was lying. There was no such order, there couldn’t be. But he stood there with a quiet conviction that almost made me believe him.
Almost.
I clenched my jaw, heat crawling up my neck. What was he doing? Trying to humiliate me? Or worse, trying to remind me of the control he still held, even after everything? The thought made my chest burn.
Lorenzo’s smile returned, smaller now, sharper. “Surely,” his fingers tightened faintly at my side, “the king would not mind his daughter’s future husband spending a few moments after midnight with her.”
“He will,” William said simply.
The words landed heavy, final.
The room seemed to shrink around us. I could feel the tension rolling off them bode: Lorenzo’s pride, William’s restraint, the sharp friction of two men circling a line neither dared cross.
And me, caught between them, my heart beating too fast, my
throat dry with irritation. I could feel William’s eyes on me, steady and unreadable, and that only made it worse.
Something twisted in me. Anger. Embarrassment. Confusion. I
didn’t know which one was stronger.
I lifted my chin, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “Actually,” I said, forcing my voice steady, “he won’t.”
That silenced William. For a heartbeat, no one moved.
Then his jaw flexed, his voice low but firm. “King Henrik expects all attending to be well rested for tomorrow.”
I turned to him slowly, irritation flaring sharp and fast. I’d had enough of his coldness. “Oh?” My tone sharpened. “And what, exactly, happens tomorrow?”
William’s eyes flicked toward me. “Something important,” he said. “So the prince must leave.”
Lorenzo gave a short laugh under his breath, his fingers still resting lightly at my side. “Is that so?”
But before either of them could say another word, I stood. My voice was calm, though the air felt like it might break. “No,” I said. “You must leave.”
For a long moment, no one moved.
The silence pressed heavy between us, thick enough to feel. The wind outside brushed faintly against the balcony curtains, but even that seemed distant.
William didn’t speak. He only stood there, his jaw tight, his fists
curling once at his sides. The faint blaze in his eyes said everything his voice didn’t.
For some reason, that look brought a flicker of satisfaction to my
chest. He’d lied. There was nothing important beyond a simple visit to a village. He made it up, and we both knew it.
I turned toward him fully, my voice steady now, deliberate. “Well?” I said. “Get out,knight. My fiancé and I are trying to have a moment.”
Lorenzo’s smirk returned, slow and sure. “You heard her,” he said, his tone edged with pride. “Out.”
William’s gaze lingered on me for a long, burning moment. The air between us felt heavy, too still, like the world itself was holding its breath.
