Page 28 of Pretense

“I agree.” Edmund gestured back toward the front door. “Let me know if you hear anything, and I’ll do the same if I find out anything during my own investigation.”

Though Edmund wasn’t going to tell Trent that he was going to put a stakeout on the Times to try to find the perpetrator.

Trent nodded and took a step back the way they’d come.

Edmund drew in a deep breath. “Wait. There’s one more thing.”

Trent turned back to Edmund, eyebrows scrunched. “Yes?”

“I have another story for you to run.” Edmund looked away, staring down at the squishy layer of filth covering the alley’s cobbles. “Write that a palace insider told you that Prince Edmund of Escarland and Princess Jalissa of Tarenhiel have confirmed that they are courting. They have been falling in love since the war with Kostaria, and this crisis with Prince Farrendel and Princess Elspeth brought them closer.”

Trent’s eyebrows shot up. “What game are you playing? Is this the kind of story that I’m going to regret running?”

“Probably.” Edmund couldn’t hold Trent’s gaze for more than a moment. “Don’t worry. You’ll be the first reporter I tell about any breakup.”

“I see.” Trent crossed his arms.

He probably did see all too much. He was too canny not to see right through Edmund.

“Just don’t tell anyone about this story.” Edmund managed to meet Trent’s gaze again. “We can’t risk the mole getting a hold of this one as well. This is your paper’s chance to get the edge back over the Sentinel.”

“I won’t tell a soul about this article even if I have to typeset it myself.” Trent’s jaw worked. “Sometimes, it just doesn’t pay to be an honest reporter.”

Or an honest spy, but Edmund couldn’t say that out loud.

Instead, he nodded, then strode past Trent back into the larger street, its cobbles shadowed by the large warehouses, tenant buildings, and other brick edifices looming high overhead.

Now he just had to break the news to Jalissa that their pretend courtship was going to be splashed all over the papers tomorrow.

* * *

Edmund waited, his words still hanging on the slight afternoon breeze. He and Jalissa stood in a corner of Winstead Palace’s manicured gardens, their nook protected by several hedges and a statue.

Jalissa’s flowing blue-and white-dress draped around her slim form as she hugged her arms over her stomach. The breeze tossed her glossy brown hair.

It was all Edmund could do to stop himself from pulling her into his arms. She looked so forlorn, and he wanted to comfort her.

But it wasn’t his place. He was supposed to be figuring out how to let her go. He was responsible for the mess in her life right now, and he felt burdened to fix it. But, perhaps, it wasn’t his place to fix it—to fix her—any more than it was his place to hold her right now.

Jalissa’s shoulders straightened and, when she spun to face him, her face was unlined and frozen in a serene expression. “Very well. This is the reason you proposed this pretense in the first place.”

“Yes.” Edmund shouldn’t let it hurt that she had gone all cold again.

“In that case, I will plan on a carriage ride through the streets of Aldon tomorrow.” Jalissa raised her chin slightly. “We need to get people talking about us as much as possible.”

Edmund nodded, unable to meet her gaze. This was not at all like what he had envisioned when he’d proposed this farce of a courtship. He’d thought a fake courtship would at least feel warm. Not as cold and calculating as one of his spying missions.

Then again, what else had he expected? He was playing a role, as was she. Roles never had the warmth of the real thing.

“The servants are scrambling, but the ball will be held tomorrow night.” Edmund flicked a glance at Jalissa before looking away. “When we attend together, that will cement our courtship in the minds of everyone there.”

“I see your plan is working perfectly.” Jalissa’s tone remained as stiff and cold as her expression.

“Our plan. I couldn’t do this without you.” Edmund turned back to her, working to put a lighter tone into his voice. “You have quite the knack for this. You’re going to turn into quite the spy.”

Jalissa raised her eyebrows. “Do you really wish to encourage me to pursue such an endeavor? I may end up spying on Escarland down the road, you know.”

“Then you would provide a very lovely challenge.” Edmund grinned, wishing he had the freedom to cup her chin and lean closer to savor this moment. “Just wait until the ball. It is the perfect place to practice observation skills. How do you think I got so good at it?”

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