NOAH
SEVERAL DAYS AFTER I won the breakfast war, I stumbled upon the king in the winter garden.
I hadn’t meant to. It wasn’t like I was purposely seeking him out to intrude on his private time, even though part of me was dying to know what he was like when he was all alone.
Was he as surly by himself as he was with everyone else?
Did he really read that book of poetry by his nightstand, or was it just for show?
I wasn’t foolish enough to wander the halls to find out, not when I was still trying to make up for my twenty-four hours of shame when I’d first arrived. But after the evening Montclair had had, the entire palace seemed too wired to sleep.
Because the de la Vega royal family had been invited for a private dinner that had sent the staff into a frenzy of activity…
and whispers. Apparently, according to Violet, Crown Prince Alejandro de la Vega was being eyed as a potential match for Nicholas Valemont, which would be a strong political move for both Valoria and the de la Vega’s kingdom of Solterra.
Even without the political advantage, I could see the appeal of the prince. He was incredibly handsome and looked effortlessly royal, like he was born to have his painting hung high on palace walls.
I tried to keep my head down, really I did, but I was too curious about Nicholas’s reaction.
Every time I looked at him, though, his expression always remained the same.
Very controlled, very hard to read. He didn’t exactly look enthused about the match; then again, I’d never seen him express excitement in any way.
Which made me wonder what exactly could bring a smile to his face, and that was a place I didn’t need my brain to go.
Nicholas Valemont was not only king, he was intended for someone else. It was ridiculous that I needed to remind myself of that, because I was his footman, and my lot in life was to serve him. That was all.
So that night, when I took the long way back toward the staff stairs, I told myself it had nothing to do with the fact that I needed some air after watching Nicholas beside the man he would someday marry.
It was late, and most of the palace was dark, but moonlight spilled through the glass ceiling of the winter garden as I passed through the courtyard, catching my attention and forcing my feet to move in its direction.
I’d only seen it in the daylight, and had only glanced inside long enough to see orange and lemon trees in large pots and beautiful flowers and plants filling the large space, making it seem cozier than it was.
The scent of the citrus trees mingled with a floral bouquet that invited me in.
If I’d known it wasn’t empty, I never would’ve stepped inside. It wasn’t my place to be here, to enjoy the view that was reserved for the owners of the palace.
I trailed my fingers lightly over the tops of the topiaries, admiring the obvious, painstaking care that went into shaping them so beautifully. I was lost in my thoughts, deep inside the garden, when I looked up and stilled.
Standing near one of the orange trees was Nicholas. He wasn’t wearing a jacket, his tie was loose, hanging down either side of his neck, and he had his eyes closed and his face angled up toward the moonlight. It felt like such a peaceful moment, one I’d just intruded on.
I needed to leave before he noticed I was there.
I carefully lowered my arm and took a step back, but the heel of my shoe knocked into one of the planters with a thump and Nicholas’s head turned in my direction.
Even half shadowed and half undone, he looked more like a king than most would even with a crown on their head. He was…beautiful.
His eyes found mine, sharp even in the low light. “Mr. Bennett.”
I’d done it now. I bowed my head. “Your Majesty. I apologize, I didn’t realize anyone was in here.”
“Clearly.”
“I was just dropping off your correspondence and heading back downstairs.”
“I don’t receive correspondence in the winter garden.”
“No, sir. Of course not.”
He arched a brow, and I swallowed a sigh.
“I may have, uh, taken the scenic route.”
“The scenic route. After midnight.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” And then, because I couldn’t help myself, I added, “It’s a large palace. I’m still getting familiar with it.”
For a moment he looked at me, like he was trying to decide whether it was worth his energy to continue engaging or if he should just dismiss me.
With the moonlight cutting across his face, it was easier to see the hollows of his cheekbones and the dark shadows beneath his eyes.
He looked exhausted…but still beautiful.
No doubt he would prefer if I didn’t notice either of those things.
“Will you require anything, sir?” I said.
“No.”
“Then I’ll leave you.”
I’d started to turn when I heard him say, “Why are you still awake?”
My feet froze. “I don’t sleep until you sleep, sir.”
His forehead creased as though he hadn’t expected that response, but surely he knew. I was his footman. I didn’t retire until he did.
“I see. Then I don’t suppose I have anyone to blame but myself when it comes to your wandering around so late.” He turned away, looking back out into the garden, and added softly, “I couldn’t sleep.”
I stood there for a moment, unsure of how to respond. It wasn’t my place to ask questions of him—he’d made that abundantly clear. But it was also obvious he was struggling tonight.
“Is something troubling you?”
His shoulders straightened. “I’m the king. I can’t afford to be troubled.”
I supposed that was true. But he was also human, and the last time I’d checked, that came with emotions. Emotions he was obviously feeling tonight, whether he wanted to admit them or not.
“Of course, sir. Are you feeling unwell, then? Can I bring you something to help you sleep?”
He turned his face to the side, not far enough to look back at me, but enough that I could see the strong outline of his perfect nose and angular jaw.
“Not unless it can erase the last four hours.”
The meeting with the de la Vegas. That’s what was troubling him. And why wouldn’t it? He’d barely stepped into the role of king, and now here he was, expected to step into the role of husband to someone hand-picked for him.
I couldn’t even begin to imagine how that must feel. To have your whole life planned out for you. To have everyone weighing in on what would be good for the country—including your love life.
It was one thing to serve the king; it was another to live your life in servitude to the crown.
“I can’t erase the last four hours, but I can find you some alcohol that might help you forget about them for a while.”
He slid his hands into his pockets and went back to looking out the beautiful glass enclosure we stood in—and while minutes ago I’d been admiring its beauty, I couldn’t help but compare it now to a cage of sorts.
“There’s not enough alcohol in the kingdom…” He let out a sigh. “It’s not that Alejandro is a terrible person, and it could be worse. I could be expected to marry a woman and produce an heir. But it’s all so fast. I haven’t even been coronated yet.”
I didn’t dare speak as words continued to fall from his mouth. This was the most he’d ever said in my presence without scolding me, and I didn’t want to say anything that might upset him further.
“I know what’s expected of me,” he said as he began to pace. “I’ve known my whole life. I’ve attended class after class to prepare me for this very moment, but can anyone ever be prepared to step into the role of king?”
He shook his head, and I wasn’t even sure he was aware I was still standing there as he continued on.
“Meeting after meeting I sit in, as if I didn’t just lose my father, as if I’ve had a chance to even shed a tear for him, and still everyone needs something more from me.
I know they need a leader, that I’m expected to be that for them.
But when do I get a chance to breathe? When do I get a chance to just stop and think for a minute? ”
“You don’t,” I said before I thought better of it, and he stopped and jerked his head in my direction.
Well, I was in it now. I took a step toward him and shrugged.
“Like you said, you’re the king. The people expect a certain image of you.
Courage, service, strength. Is it selfish to expect that from one man? Yes. But they expect it nonetheless.”
Nicholas’s eyes narrowed and I waited for the inevitable dismissal.
Instead, he angled his chin up a fraction and said, “And you? What do you expect?”
I could’ve lied. Could’ve told him I had no expectations. But the moment demanded more of me than that. Nicholas had just opened up and been more vulnerable than I ever expected him to be; the least I could do was be honest.
“I expect you to be a man.” I swallowed, waiting for him to silence me. But when he just stood there waiting, I continued. “I expect you to be a brother, a son. You’re a human being, Your Majesty. Even kings should be given a day to mourn.”
“Some might disagree with that.”
“That you deserve a day to mourn?”
“That I’m a human being.”
“Eating your breakfast every morning has definitely helped dispel the rumors.”
His lips twitched and very nearly pulled into a grin. “Is that right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then perhaps I should stop. I don’t want to ruin my reputation.”
“It’s had quite the opposite effect, Your Majesty. Trust me.”
He nodded slowly, and I wasn’t sure if that was his agreeing to what I’d said or if maybe, just maybe, he was starting to trust me.
“I think I’ll head up to bed shortly, Bennett.”
Bennett? Had he ever called me that before? I didn’t think so. Usually it was Mr. Bennett, always so stiff and cold. But something inside me warmed at the fact he’d just called me something more familiar, and was obviously feeling better after our exchange.
“Yes, sir. Your room will be ready and waiting.”
“Thank you. For everything.”
“Of course, sir.” I bowed ever so slightly, and as I turned to exit the winter garden, I couldn’t help my smile.
I thought my intrusion on His Majesty’s private moment would surely have consequences, but to my surprise, it seemed that I’d somehow managed to thaw the ice king.