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)
“Where did Vincent go?” I said, taking two glasses that were offered to us by a servant. “When did he leave?”
Vivi accepted the glass I held out. “He was smart and left when you were flirting with my brother. I almost followed him.”
My cheeks flushed.
“Don’t worry. I introduced you for a reason.” She grinned, and the smile in her eyes matched the one on her face. “Father is pressuring him about marriage since my wedding date was set, and Leon’s interested in you.”
Ooft.
My cheeks could fry an egg.
“Goodness, you’re so cute when you blush.” Vivi bumped me with her shoulder. “Oh, there’s Georgina. Over here!” She raised her fan to catch her attention.
Lady Georgina caught sight of us, and I realised she was with Lady Blair and Lady Sasha from the tea party.
“You’re here! Gosh, you both look beautiful,” Lady Georgina said as she joined us.
“Indeed. Lady Alicia, that colour is divine on you.” Lady Sasha smiled.
Lady Blair huffed and shuffled her voluptuous skirt. “I’d rather be wearing my training outfit. This dress is so heavy.”
“Has anyone seen Lady Elisa yet?” Lady Georgina asked. “We’ve only just arrived.”
Right. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’d heard their announcements shortly after ours.
“Yes, she’s with the count and countess,” Vivi said. “They’re formally introducing her to their circle. I spoke with her shortly after she arrived and told her to come and find us when she’s able to escape.”
After that, the conversation drifted into more mundane topics. Questions about Vivi’s wedding, Lady Blair’s sword training, a garden party Lady Sasha was planning, and the upcoming spring hunt were all a part of the discussion.
I was soaking up as much information as I could. After all, this was a period not explicitly covered in the novel, so I needed to gain as much knowledge as I could to ensure that I would be one step ahead.
“Is that everyone? Won’t the Imperial Family be here soon?” Lady Sasha asked, looking around.
“I think—”
“Introducing His Imperial Highness, Prince Kalon, the Grand Duke of Stein and the First Prince of the Sada Empire!”
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My heart was going haywire at the mere mention of his name.
Oh, no.
I did not need this right now.
“Gosh, he’s handsome,” Lady Georgina muttered. “It’s a shame about the rumours.”
Don’t look, Allie. Don’t look. Don’t look. Don’t—
As if it were a compulsion, my gaze rose to the doors at the top of the stairs. If I thought I’d been surrounded by handsome men earlier, it was nothing compared to the overwhelming presence of this man.
He was mesmerizingly gorgeous.
He was tall, standing well over six feet, and his broad shoulders were the kind that were made for hooking your legs over. His black hair was parted to the side, and the ends of his fringe just tickled his vibrant purple eyes, casting shadows over his intense gaze. Every inch of his face was perfection personified from his square chin and prominent jaw to the way his lips curved down with annoyance as he surveyed the room.
He was dressed head to toe in black, and he looked exactly how I imagined a dark fairytale prince would look. The adornments were all silver; the fastenings on his jacket stood out like diamonds, and the rope that hung across his chest from his shoulder to his underarm kept his green-lined cape securely in place on his shoulder.
His gaze swept the crowd and found mine, almost as if he could sense me staring at him.
I couldn’t move.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My eyes were locked on his. I couldn’t look away no matter how badly I knew I needed to. His expression didn’t change, even as he descended the staircase. The stoic, cold air that wrapped around him was ever present in the harshness of his gaze, and to me, it was almost suffocating.
A thick, cloying reminder of what my future would be if I didn’t look away now.
“Is he looking at us?” Lady Blair whispered.
“No,” Vivi said, slowly turning towards me. “He’s looking at—”
“Excuse me. I need some air,” I said, quickly ducking away before she could finish that sentence.
Me.
He was looking at me.
I pushed through the crowd and slipped out onto one of the terraces. Thankfully, it was empty, and I drew in a deep breath before letting it out in one big go.
This was not good.
This was not in my plan.
Why had I looked at him? Why hadn’t I turned away the second I’d realised I was unabashedly staring in his direction? Why had my thirsty arse studied him as if I were memorising every inch of his body?
Idiot. I was an idiot.
His attention was the last thing I wanted. I might as well have jumped up and down on the spot and begged for his attention with the way I’d carried on just now.
He was the kind of handsome I felt in my panties.