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)
“Wrong. He gave it to Bella because they were both heading my way.”
“I will be sure to reprimand him for his laziness.”
“That’s hardly the point here,” I said. “Do you really not know what the issue is?”
Kalon flicked through the sheets. “Are they unqualified in your eyes?”
“They’re all men.”
“Yes, they are. They’re the most qualified men for the job.”
“Out of who?” I asked. “All the possible candidates? Or just the men in Stein?”
“Alicia.” He placed his elbows on the desk and linked his fingers, using his clasped hands as a rest for his chin. “What is it that you’re trying to say?”
“I fail to believe that there isn’t a single noblewoman in all of Stein who isn’t qualified to be my aide. Were they even considered when you drew up this list?” I raised my eyebrows. “Or was it assumed that a woman couldn’t assist me adequately?”
“Hayes!” Kalon shouted.
The door burst open. “Sir!”
“Did you include women when you were pulling together the list for Alicia’s aide?”
“No.”
“Why not?” I spun around to look at him.
He flinched. “I… didn’t think to, my lady.”
“Hmph.” I snatched the sheets from Kalon’s desk and scrunched them up, then walked over to Sir Hayes and handed him the paper balls. “I have no intention of allowing someone’s gender to influence my choice, but I can’t accept it if this hasn’t been done fairly. Please redo the shortlist, making sure to include noblewomen who are qualified. Judge them by the same parameters you do the men.”
Sir Hayes looked past me at Kalon. “Your Highness?”
“It sounds like you’ve been given an order, Hayes.” Amusement tinged Kalon’s tone. “You best get to it.”
“I don’t know why you’re having such a jolly time over here.” I crossed his office and stopped at the side of his desk, gripping the edge. “I just sent a letter to Viscountess Evsea regarding her offer and, as you wished, informed her that you’re an extremely jealous man and cannot bear my first official appearance being anywhere other than at Stein Castle.”
Kalon stilled. “You really did that?”
“You’re the one who said you didn’t mind rumours spreading about how obsessed you are with me.” I leant forwards. “So, my extremely jealous fiancé, what are you doing sending me a list that mostly comprises of young, single, handsome noblemen to be my aide?”
His eyes darkened. “Alicia…”
“It’s fine by me, for what it’s worth. I have no problem spending eight hours a day being advised and guided by a handsome gentleman who’ll follow my every order.” I straightened up and held out my hands in a shrug. “In fact, that sounds like an ideal situation.”
“Hayes.” Kalon’s tone was so cold a chill ran through the air.
“Y-yes, Your Highness?” Sir Hayes froze, still gripping the paper balls I’d shoved at him.
“Redo that list. If I see one man’s name on it when it comes back, I will cut off your head and let the children in the town use it as a football.” His eyes blazed with a deep-rooted fury that was kind of sexy.
Damn it.
I had no business finding him hot when he was threatening to behead someone.
“Understood. I’ll just… dispose of these.” Sir Hayes walked over to the fireplace and tossed them onto the flames enthusiastically. “There. Just the noblewomen, yes? I’ll get right on that. Does anyone know where Ark is?” His words were nothing but rambles as he headed for the door. “Ark! Bella—have you seen Ark?”
“I haven’t, Sir Hayes. Why?”
“I don’t want my head to be used as a football.”
“I can’t imagine that’s something anyone aspires to, Sir.”
I pressed my lips together and dropped my chin, desperately trying to hold in my laugh. Oh, Bella.
“Hayes,” Kalon called coldly. “Stop dillydallying. While you’re out there, do that other thing we spoke about earlier as well.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Shut the door.”
“Yes, sir!”
The door slammed shut, and I finally let my small laugh escape. “Was it really necessary to threaten him with that?”
He turned his blazing purple gaze to me, and a chill ran down my spine. It was clear that this was the version of him everyone feared, and for a second, I really thought he might slice off my head and let the children use it as a football.
I didn’t know they had footballs here.
“Do not provoke me in such a manner again,” he warned me, his tone only a little less icy than it’d been with Sir Hayes. “Especially not when your point is already well made.”
I held up my hands and took a step back from his desk. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
“I would hate to scare you with the true extent of my possessiveness when we’re only just starting to get along.”
“That’s very considerate of you, Kalon,” I said, walking towards the door. “But I don’t think such a thing is possible. I’ll let you get on with your—”