Page 23 of Tall, Royal and Grumpy

“You’re going to do great,” he said softly, and I willed the assurance in his piercing stare to soothe my anxiety.

It did. A bit. Enough for me to ease into my chair. “Thank you, Sher.”

He smiled and gave my knee one final squeeze before a loud applause danced around us. The Crown Princess of Raven was taking a bow upon the stage.

When the older princess began her descent from the stairs, the conference emcee called out, “To present Jahandar’s environmental strategy, please welcome onto the stage, Her Highness, Crown Princess Esmeralda.”

More applause rang out and I pushed my shoulders back and stood tall, taking the folder from Shehryar. I didn’t look at Kareem as I passed by him and made my way to the wooden podium on the left side of the stage.

“Thank you, Vikram,” I said into the small microphone, looking at the speaker tucked in the corner of the stage as I took my script out of the folder. “They have hidden you behind a curtain, but we all know you’re the true Wizard of Roz, keeping this conference running smoothly.”

Vikram bowed his head with a massive grin plastered across his face and light cheers echoed through the hall of thousands of seats. I took the opportunity to look around quickly.

First to Shehryar, who gave me a nod and a toothy grin. Before I dared to look at Kareem, whose smile appeared pleasant to others, but I knew his eyes only held contempt for me.

My heart kicked hard when my gaze then collided with Kai’s.

Intense. Unmoving. Confident. Beautiful.

There was no nod, no charming smile, nor a grumpy frown, no emotion overtly there that I could pick up on. And yet the warmth of happiness I had been feeling this morning bubbled up again.

With a newfound confidence, I tipped my chin up and began my presentation, silently vowing I was going to use the previous night’s success to talk to Kai again today.

Or tonight.

* * *

KAI

I covered my yawning mouth with the side of my hand as I closed the door behind me and made my way down the corridor past my bedroom.

It was after midnight, so the halls were pin-drop quiet. Exhaustion from the first full-day conference of the Peace Celebrations had sent everyone to bed as soon we returned to Chaukham Palace. I was tired too, but my growling stomach was demanding to be fed so sleep evaded me.

On my way to the kitchen, I passed by the night guard, Raj, humming to himself in front of garden doors that were completely shut tonight. Thankfully.

“Your Highness,” he said and bowed.

“Raj,” I greeted in reply.

“Crown Princess Esmeralda—”

The mention of her name caused me to stop as my heart plummeted.

Bloody woods, she hadn’t gone outside again, had she? It wasn’t raining tonight, but it was still freezing cold. Dammit, was she genuinely trying to fall ill?

“Is she outside again?” I asked, stomping back towards Raj.

“Oh, no, no, Your Highness.” He shook his head swiftly. “I was just going to tell you she passed by a while ago.” My shoulders eased, but the guard shifted on his feet. “It’s just…this is the third night she’s been awake, so I was just wondering if Her Highness doesn’t—can’t—sleep. Like you.”

“Hmm, she doesn’t. But you keep that to yourself, Raj.”

“Of course.”

It felt a bit wrong disclosing something she’d told me in confidence, but if it meant there was someone to keep an eye on the pint-sized, babbling troublemaker, then it was fine. Good even.

“And if she ever needs anything—”

Raj smiled widely. “I will not hesitate to help her.”

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