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)
“Oh. So, it’s like a teleportation magic circle but for letters.”
“Exactly!” She beamed, and her eyes lit up. “You can use this for all your letters to the other ladies, too, and I’ll have them delivered.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Nonsense. I’ve already told them. The only drawback is that you can only use it once a day, but that’s something we’re going to work on rectifying. You’ll be helping me greatly with my research if you accept it.”
I smiled. She’d handed me a way to keep my friends as close as possible. I didn’t care if it doubled up as research for her at the Magic Tower—it was my privilege to help her.
“Thank you,” I said, holding the box close. “I’ll use it well.”
***
“Are you all right?” Kalon looked down at me. “You know he doesn’t bite, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I’m still nervous.” I pressed my hand to my stomach. “I’ve never spoken to him for more than a few minutes at official events.”
“It’s dinner, not a trial.”
“Yes, dinner with the Emperor who thinks his eldest son is madly in love with me,” I pointed out. “The Emperor. Why did you have to tell him that?”
“I told you; he’s a romantic. Exploiting that was the only way I could beat the Empress.”
Well, you can’t fault the man for being honest. “You didn’t tell him I fell for you, too, did you?”
Kalon shook his head. “I could never assume your feelings, my lady.”
“Oh, so I can’t call you Your Highness, but you can call me that? What a double standard.” I huffed.
He chuckled and pulled out my chair for me.
“Don’t laugh,” I warned him, leaning in close so I could lower my voice. “Also, if he’s under the impression that we’re some great love story, you should call me Allie.”
“I was unaware you had such a nickname,” he said smoothly as I sat down. “I’m offended you didn’t mention it before.”
“Remember how you told me only four people can call you by your name?”
“Five, including you.”
“All the same,” I said. “It is to me as your name is to you; reserved only for a select few. Your story will be more believable if you use it.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” He released my chair and walked around the table to his own.
Unlike what I’d assumed, this wasn’t a great banquet table that could seat twenty, but a small round table just slightly larger than the average personal tea table. Kalon had mentioned back in Stein that His Majesty was dining with us as his father, not the Emperor, but this intimate setting really drilled that point in.
Honestly, I’d rather he was here as the Emperor.
At least then I’d know how to act.
“His Majesty, Emperor Cassius III, has arrived.”
We both got to our feet, and Kalon folded into a low bow while I held out my skirt and dropped into a deep curtsey.
“Please be seated,” His Majesty said, joining us at the table. “Kalon, Alicia, thank you for making the time to dine with me this evening. You must be tired after your journey here.”
“Not at all,” Kalon replied. “How could we possibly reject an invitation from you after you were so gracious in your approval of our engagement?”
The Emperor chuckled. “You’re very polite tonight, Kalon. What’s in the water in Stein?”
“The happiness of a man in love, Father.”
Barf.
He was really leaning into this whole love-at-first-sight thing, wasn’t he?
His Majesty eyed me with a smile. “Your fiancée doesn’t seem to agree.”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” I replied softly. “I’m still getting used to Kalon’s ardent declarations of love.”
“Kalon? Ardent declarations of love? Oho, really?”
“Oh, yes.” I met Kalon’s eyes and smiled, coyly touching my fingertips to my cheek. Two could play this game. “As Your Majesty knows, our connection was almost instantaneous. Although I am quite shy in the matters of the heart and not as expressive as he is, he makes sure I know how he feels every day.”
The Emperor looked between us, his eyes sparkling excitedly. “How wonderful. I had no idea you felt the same. As you’re aware, love marriages in the Imperial Family are rare. To think I was able to grant one of my sons such happiness!”
Ah.
I understood now. When Kalon had said that the Emperor claimed he had too much romance in his body for one woman, what he was really saying was that our great ruler was in love with love.
“Milton, what wine is being served tonight?” The Emperor turned to his aide.
“Chabalot from the year three-ninety-two, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. Bring it.”
“Your Majesty, if we may,” I interjected. “Viscountess Evsea was kind enough to gift us a bottle of Evsea from the year three-seventy-six for our engagement. We brought it with us in the hopes we would be able to share it with you.”
His eyes lit up. “Really? Aren’t there only thirty bottles of that in existence? And she gave it to you? Oho, how exciting!” He turned to Milton. “Scrap the Chabalot, Milton. We shall enjoy this vintage treasure tonight!”