Page 90 of A Kingdom's Heart
I swallowed hard, refusing to look away. “If I’m just your duty, then do your duty. Stop acting like I’m worth looking at.”
Still, no answer. His eyes lingered on me for a heartbeat, then he turned and started walking away.
“Come back here!” I called after him, my voice loud enough for people to turn and stare.
He didn’t stop. He didn’t even look back. He just kept walking, his steps steady and unhurried, until he disappeared into the crowd.
My chest ached with the words I wanted to say caught in my throat. Before I could move, Lorenzo’s voice came from behind me. “There you are,” he said with a bright smile, his arm slipping easily around my waist.
I forced a nod, trying to steady myself.
“Where to next, my lady?” he asked.
“To the castle,” I said quickly.
He tilted his head. “So soon?”
“Yes. I’m not feeling too well.”
Concern flickered across his face, though it looked practiced. “Very well then.” He offered his arm again. “Let’s get you back.”
He guided me through the crowd. The air smelled of salt and spice, but I could hardly focus. My thoughts were still on William, on the look in his eyes before he walked away.
When we reached the carriages, the guards were already waiting. Sunlight glinted off their armor as they moved aside to let us pass. William was seated inside ours. His posture was rigid, his hands resting on his knees. When our eyes met, I felt my breath catch. His expression was cold, distant, but his gaze didn’t waver.
A day ago, he could barely look at me. Now, he didn’t seem able to look anywhere else.
Lorenzo helped me up the step and took his seat beside me. The guards followed, closing the door behind them.
“Let’s ride,” Lorenzo said.
The driver gave a sharp nod, and the carriage began to move, wheels rumbling softly over the stone road.
Lorenzo’s arm slid around my waist, steady and sure, pulling me
closer to him as the carriage swayed. His tone was light when he spoke to one of the guards, but I could feel how close he was, how every inch between us disappeared.
Across from me, William’s gaze hardened. He said nothing, yet I could feel it. Sharp, heavy, and fixed on me. His eyes held the same coldness he’d worn all day, but beneath it, something else lingered, something that made it difficult to breathe.
I kept my eyes on my hands, fingers twisting together in my lap. I looked down at my hands, my fingers twisting together in my lap. I wanted to tell him to stop staring. I wanted him to say something. Anything. But not here. Not in front of Lorenzo.
So I sat still, silent, as the wheels rolled on, the air inside the carriage thick with words neither of us could say.
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
IRIS
The dining hall was bright and full of sound. The long table gleamed beneath the chandelier, silver platters spread with roasted meats, fruits, and bread still warm from the oven. The scent of herbs and honey filled the air.
My father sat beside King Phelipe at the head of the table, the two of them deep in conversation about alliances and borders. Their voices carried easily, low but confident, the way men spoke when they believed the world was firmly in their grasp.
I sat to their right, across from the queen. Lorenzo was beside me, cutting into his steak with practiced ease. He looked relaxed, comfortable in his place, occasionally leaning toward me to say something polite.
I nodded when expected, smiled when I had to, and tried to focus on the plate in front of me. The chicken was tender, the sauce rich, but I could hardly taste it. The weight in my stomach had nothing to do with the food.
Laughter rose from further down the table. Servants moved quietly between us, refilling goblets and clearing plates. The light flickered against the walls, soft and golden, and for a moment, I wished I could melt into it, become part of something so simple.
Lorenzo turned to me again, his voice gentle. “You should try
