Chapter 17
Seventeen
Hugo did not allow the prince to help him take a bath, even though it was incredibly tempting.
Prince Everand was also more than willing to play the role of the diligent valet, helping his lord out of his clothes.
But after an unseemly amount of giggling and even more kissing, Hugo got Ev out the door so he could take a fast bath alone.
His resolve was crumbling, though. It was likely this would be his last bath without the prince if he remained in the castle much longer.
For now, he was enjoying the slow romance, trying to savor every kiss and smile.
He wouldn’t allow himself to believe it was all on the verge of falling apart.
No, he had a shot at keeping his prince forever.
He just had to figure out how he was going to convince the king and queen that he was worthy of their only son.
That was a problem for later. Today, he had the chance to spend the day with Ev without them having to run for their lives or fight Wulian soldiers.
He washed and redressed in the clothes he’d worn to the castle. It didn’t look as though they’d been cleaned while he slept, but they were neater, as if Florence had sneaked in while he was unconscious and tidied them up.
The hallway was empty when he stepped out of the room.
His heart flipped as his feet turned toward the large double doors with trees carved into them to create a forest relief.
He lifted his hand to knock, but before his knuckles could brush the wood, both doors were ripped open and Ev’s excited, grinning face greeted him.
“Took you long enough,” Everand teased.
“It would have taken three times as long if you’d been permitted to help me,” Hugo chided, grinning back.
“Oh, probably much longer than that.” Everand winked and stepped aside, motioning for Hugo to enter.
Hugo’s breath caught in his throat at the beauty of Everand’s chambers.
They were twice the size of the rooms he’d been given and even more lavishly decorated.
It was like strolling through a forest with lush greens and shades of brown.
His feet sank into the carpet with every step.
A hint of woodsy incense perfumed the air.
“Do you like it?” Everand whispered in his ear.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. These were my Uncle Crispin’s rooms. However, I’ll admit that I had the stuffed heads removed. I’m not as into hunting as he was, and my father is. Not much for having dead things staring at me at all hours.”
Hugo choked on a laugh. Everand made an excellent point.
The prince captured his hand and dragged him forward, through a parlor, lounge, and even the bedroom to a dressing room with several long mirrors along with exquisitely carved bureaus and wardrobes filled with clothes.
An elegant sofa and a pair of buttery yellow chairs were in the center of the room.
Standing at attention off to the side of the room was a familiar face—Mr. Booth.
He was there with no fewer than four assistants, who were waiting with tape measures and stacks of fabric.
“I believe you’ve met Mr. Booth,” Everand said with a wave of his hand.
“Yes, he provided me with this excellent suit. It’s good to see you again, Mr. Booth.”
The skinny man blushed and bowed, his manner far less brisk this time. “I am honored that you remember me, Mr. Baker.”
“Mr. Booth is going to prepare your clothes for the royal ball tomorrow night and a few day-to-day clothing needs,” Everand announced.
“Ev—Your Highness,” Hugo gasped, barely managing to correct himself. He could understand getting a new suit for the ball, but to get more clothes on top of that was too much.
However, there was no chance to argue. Mr. Booth snapped his fingers, and his four assistants leaped into action. They moved Hugo into the center of the room, where they whisked off almost all the clothes he’d just put on, leaving him standing in only his undergarments.
Heat stole across Hugo’s face and down his throat as he glanced over his shoulder to find Prince Everand lounging on the settee with a wicked grin stretching his lips. Evil man.
But Hugo had little time to think about it. In a flash, the assistants were on him with the flying tape measures, taking his numbers again and calling them out to Mr. Booth. One of them made Mr. Booth stop and cluck his tongue.
“What’s wrong?” Everand demanded, shifting to perch on the edge of his seat.
Mr. Booth hurried to the prince. “Mr. Baker has lost half an inch from his waist since I last measured him.”
“You can recall my measurements from the last time?” Hugo asked, his voice rising in shock. He’d been sure the man had forgotten him the second he’d completed the alteration to the suit he’d provided Hugo weeks ago.
“Of course I can. I remember the measurements for everyone I make clothes for,” Mr. Booth replied, almost sounding insulted that Hugo would doubt him.
Everand rushed to his side, brushing away all the assistants still buzzing around Hugo. He placed his hands on Hugo’s hips, his thumbs brushing across his stomach, tickling.
“Why have you lost weight?” Everand demanded, worry thickening his low tone. “Have you not been eating enough? Does your family not—”
“No, we’re fine,” Hugo interrupted more sharply than he intended, but he didn’t want anyone thinking that his family was struggling to put food on the table.
He didn’t want anyone’s pity and certainly didn’t want to be food for palace gossip.
“Maybe the last time I was measured, I was a bit bloated,” Hugo continued in a softer tone, even as embarrassment blazed through his cheeks.
He locked eyes with Everand and lifted one mocking eyebrow.
“Or maybe I lost a bit of weight while we were running through the woods, trying to escape those bandits.”
“Regardless of the reason, I can’t have you losing weight. You must be healthy. I’m ordering some food. What are you in the mood for? Breakfast? It’s afternoon now. Lunch? Sandwiches? Or a hearty soup?”
“Ev—” Hugo stopped himself, closed his eyes, and clenched his teeth. He kept slipping up, but it was so hard to remember to address him properly when he was so close and very handsy. “Your Highness, please, this isn’t necessary.”
“It is, and you were right the first time. Ev.”
“Your Highness—”
“Ev.”
Hugo growled and opened his eyes to find not laughter but concern written clear across Everand’s face. “Please, people will talk,” he whispered, trying not to allow his gaze to stray to Mr. Booth and his many assistants.
“Yes, they will,” Everand agreed, keeping his voice at a normal tone so that everyone in the room could hear him. “By the end of the day, everyone in his palace will know that you are my most precious treasure.”
Hugo snorted. “You mean your paramour.”
“I mean the man I plan to marry. My soon-to-be husband. My one-day consort.”
Hugo’s mouth fell open, and for several heartbeats no sound came out. His brain imploded. Not a single thought occurred. He was lucky his heart and lungs continued to work. Everand smirked at him as if he knew how he’d shaken Hugo’s entire world.
Joy sweeter than anything he’d ever known rushed through him.
Unshed tears burned in his eyes, and his lips trembled as they pushed into a smile.
Everand wanted him. Possibly loved him. He wanted Hugo at his side despite his poor background and their awkward meetings. It was like the very best fairy tale.
Yet, reality crashed through his brain a breath later, slamming him down to reality once again.
“But…but your parents?” Hugo stammered when he found his tongue.
Everand shrugged. “They will accept my choice or not. There’s always the cottage in the woods with the garden and rabbits. Personally, I think we need at least three rabbits to start. The ones with the long, floppy ears.”
“Maybe a dog to help keep an eye on the rabbits,” Hugo suggested, his voice wobbling.
“Done.” Everand leaned in and stole a chaste, sweet kiss prior to stepping away.
He walked over to a spot near the doorway and pulled on a long velvet rope that hung from the ceiling.
There was the sound of a bell tinkling somewhere far away in the castle.
Barely two seconds passed before a person in servants’ livery popped into existence right next to the velvet rope, causing Hugo to jump and let out a little yelp.
He’d never witnessed that kind of magic.
The servant smiled and bowed to the prince. “How can I serve you, Your Highness?”
“My treasure and I are famished,” Everand announced. “I would like a full lunch served in my private dining room. Also, have a table set up here with an assortment of finger foods and treats for us to snack on while we are having our fitting.”
The servant bowed. “At once, Your Highness.”
As soon as Everand nodded that he was finished, the servant tugged on the rope and disappeared.
“How?” Hugo whispered.
Everand smirked. “Magic.”
“No kidding.”
The prince shrugged and walked to one of the wardrobes.
“We have servants in the palace who charm the bell pulls to allow workers to move through the palace in a flash, but only a handful of servants can use those bell pulls. Otherwise, that would become a nightmare for the royal guard who protect the castle.”
That was very easy to imagine. Hugo had witnessed the typical bits of magic that were common all throughout the kingdom—cooking, cleaning, letter delivery, and even the tailor’s magic—but he had to wonder what other interesting bits of magic were common to the palace yet not to the rest of the realm.