Page 120 of The Dragon King's Assassin

“Oh, I'm sorry. Fuck you too, Ry.”

“Thanks!” Ry beamed.

“Um, excuse me,” a feminine voice said. “Oh, my. Um.”

“Pardon me, Your Majesty, but I must assist my future wife.” Ry shot up and wedged between the knights. “Move aside, can't you see that a lady's trying to get past? Allow me, sweetheart.” He took the massive tray from the waitress, balanced it on one hand, and offered his free arm to the woman. “Would you like to meet the King?”

“Um.” Her wide eyes went to the back of the King's head. “Yes?”

“Right this way.” Ry led her to Taroc, handed the tray to Lue, and presented the waitress as if she were a visiting princess. “Your Majesty, this is our beautiful waitress, uh . . .” He looked at her.

“I'm Marissa, Your Majesty.” She curtsied deeply. “I'm so sorry to interrupt. May I bring you something to eat or drink?”

“Thank you, Marissa. Yes, I'd like some coffee and a plate of whatever meat you have available.”

“We have bacon, sausage, ham, or steak, Your Majesty.”

“Yes,” he said.

Marissa blinked, then nodded, curtsied again, and hurried away.

“My sweet, you've forgotten your tray!” Ry called after her.

She stopped in her tracks and came back.

“Hurry up and pass out the food!” Ry hissed at Lue.

Lue shot him an annoyed look as he set the last dish down, then slapped Ry's chest with the tray.

“Thanks.” Ry grinned, spun around, and presented the tray to Marissa. “There you are, my lovely one. I told you we saved the King. You thought I was teasing, didn't you?”

“I did.” Marissa blushed again. “Thank you.” With another look at the King, she fled.

“I apologize for the antics of my crew, Your Majesty,” Teng said. “They are just humble sailors.”

A few of the humble sailors snickered at that.

Teng shot them a silencing look before adding, “I imagine you'd like to speak to Lock alone.”

“Not at all. I'm enjoying this. Please,” he waved at them, “continue as if I'm not here.”

“Yeah, as if they can do that,” I muttered.

“Would you like me to leave, Lock?” Taroc asked, his expression shifting into careful neutrality.

I sighed. “No, I don't want you to leave. But, fuck, Taroc, I wanted at least a few hours to calm down and maybe take a fucking shower before I spoke to you. I needed some time to think about everything.”

“You can shower after breakfast. I'll wait for you in your room.”

“Wonderful.” I rolled my eyes.

Ren yipped again.

“I'm happy you're all right, Ren” I said, then handed her a piece of sausage from my plate.

As she ate, Taroc eyed my food.

“Do you want a piece of sausage too, Your Majesty?” I drawled.

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