Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“You’re quite cold, my lady. Do you know it’s become quite common to give them to family members?” He peered down at me, but I steadfastly ignored his gaze.
It wasn’t hard. I was already ignoring all the questioning gazes from people around us.
“I am aware,” I confirmed. “However, as an engaged woman, it would be highly inappropriate for me to offer a handkerchief to anyone other than my betrothed, wouldn’t you say, Your Highness?”
“Ah, of course.” He smiled, but there was a hint of mild annoyance in his tone. “I am interested to hear your thoughts on an engaged gentleman accepting one from another woman, though.”
“I’d rather not share those. You appear to have quite a good opinion of me, and I would hate to disappoint you.”
“That’s a shame. I was wondering what you’d do, given there’s a young lady offering your fiancé a handkerchief right now.”
I jolted, digging my fingers into his arm. “What? Where?”
“Just over there.” Crown Prince Torin raised his arm, and I followed the direction of his finger.
Kalon was standing in front of a small tent, peering down at a blonde woman in a green dress. She was nervously fidgeting with something in her hand, and I recognised her the instant she looked up at him with a beaming smile.
Lillia.
I took a step forward, but Crown Prince Torin held his arm out in front of me, blocking me. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“Wait a moment,” he said, leaning down closer to me. “Aren’t you interested in what he’ll do?”
I was.
Damn it, I really was.
But… why didn’t he care that Lillia was offering her handkerchief to Kalon? Torin had none, and I knew for a fact they’d met and even danced together last night. He should have been interested in her to the point that this would annoy him, but he looked more as though he was enjoying it than anything.
Lillia held out the handkerchief to Kalon, and he looked down at it. Just when my faith in him wavered and I thought he might actually accept it, he held up one hand and shook his head.
“I’m impressed,” Crown Prince Torin said. “She’s a beautiful woman, and she was quite enthusiastic with her interest in Kalon at the ball last night. She asked me numerous questions about him during our dance. Did you notice?”
What a shit stirrer.
“Please excuse me, Your Highness,” I said, removing my hand from his arm. “Thank you for escorting me, but it appears I must rescue my fiancé from some unwanted attention.”
“I’ve never seen him be rescued by a woman. I think I’ll join you.”
“Do as you please,” I replied, marching off ahead of him.
Lillia took a step closer to Kalon and reached for him, and even from his distance, I could see Kalon’s jaw tick. I recognised that look—it was the one he got when someone argued with him unnecessarily, and if she pushed him any further…
Well, if she pushed him any further, I would have to accidentally shove her face in the mud to get her away from him.
For now, it was time to make my presence known.
“There you are, honey!” I said brightly, if a little loudly.
Lillia flinched at the sound of my voice, turning her face away from me.
That’s right.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Chapter Thirty-One
Setting Boundaries
Kalon immediately turned to me and took a step away from Lillia, and his cheeks pinkened ever so slightly when he met my gaze. “Allie. When did you arrive?”
“Not long ago,” I replied, standing next to him. “I was hoping to come and see you sooner, but Blair stopped by the tent and fell in love with Rina, so I did some platonic matchmaking.”
“I was wondering where Rina was. I told her to stay with you at all times.”
“I ordered her to stay behind. Blair so rarely gets to meet with a female knight, after all. Sir Otto was kind enough to accompany me in her stead.” I smiled, then turned to Lillia. “Lady Lillia, how lovely to see you. Once again, please do accept my apologies for my rudeness last night.”
She smiled, but the look in her eyes was one of pure frustration. “Please don’t worry yourself, Lady Alicia. Are you feeling better?”
“Very much so. It’s kind of you to ask.” I paused, then gazed up at Kalon. “Oh, I do hope I wasn’t interrupting your conversation.”
“Of course not,” Kalon said, sliding one arm around my waist to pull me in close. He practically squeezed me against him. “Besides, you often barge into my office while I’m meeting with people without a care. I hardly think this could be considered an interruption in comparison.”
“Don’t be rude,” I said, lightly smacking his chest. “I don’t barge in anywhere. I always knock first.”
“You’re supposed to wait for an answer before you enter a room, you know.”