CHAPTER 8
Sakura
The nerve of him thinking that she might be jealous over him!
Sakura reined in her stride. Irritation did not justify losing her poise. And it was not illogical to suppose that a stranger asking that question of another might be suffering from jealous feelings rather than concern. Out of context of the situation and the people involved.
Now, if he were noble, or if she were common… One side of her mouth pulled up as she remembered her first sight of him in the dining room. He’d taken the time to shave, and his strong jaw was quite appealing. Not to mention the way his borrowed shirt hugged his shoulders.
A fine painting indeed. But paintings were for hanging on the wall and appreciating from a distance.
Especially if the wall underneath might be stained with sinister motives.
After stopping by her rooms to don her outdoor clothing, she made her way to the kitchens. It was not her usual path, but it was the shortest route and thus meant less time in the cold weather.
The wind whirled around her, throwing snow in her face and blinding her. It appeared to be flakes picked up off the ground rather than new ones falling, but Bunta relied partially on scent, partially on hearing. The guards wouldn’t be able to leave until it cleared.
Delivering the handkerchief to the kennel master didn’t take long. Bunta was pleased to see her, as always. Sakura gave him a few extra pets, knowing he might be gone for several days.
“Mother will be pleased if you find her,” she whispered, not wanting the kennel master to hear her talking to a fox. “And it will prove you’re more than a pet. Mind your handlers, and make sure you come back, all right?”
She slipped him a piece of melon before facing the blustery wind again. A princess ought to have given the errand to a servant, even though Mother had approved it this time. But Sakura never turned down the opportunity to visit her animals.
It had been much harder to see them and maintain the proper image in the capital; too many eyes watching.
But returning would still be preferable to remaining at the winter castle, especially with Hari’s suspicion that Father planned to make her retirement official.
There were eligible noblemen in the capital.
And as an added bonus, they didn’t take in strays at the castle in Kurowan.
Wrapping her muffler across her face, Sakura bent her head and fought her way back to the main building. She hoped Bunta found the missing shepherdess soon. Then the pretty painting could take his strange influence and leave. She didn’t need Keenan complicating the problems she already had.
~
The next morning dawned clear and cold. Or at least, it was clear by the time Sakura rose; the weather might still have been inclement before.
Either way, she wasn’t pelted with snow when she strolled out her usual exit.
The stable door creaked open. Sakura held her head high, pretending that it wasn’t unusual for her to appear before breakfast. The stable boy mucking out a nearby stall knew better, but he played along, halting his work and sweeping a clumsy bow when she passed.
A bay head bobbed over a stall door and shoved her shoulder. Sakura looked up and smiled. “Aya,” she gently scolded. “You have better manners than that. I’ll give you sugar on my way back; I don’t have it right now.”
The horse nudged her again, nibbling at Sakura’s cloak with her lips.
“It will do you no good to slime my clothing.” Taking a step closer to the stall, she reached up to stroke her horse’s cheek. “I have nothing for you to find.”
Instead of giving up, Aya dipped her head to check Sakura’s waist for the pouch in which she carried treats. Sakura slid her hands onto the horse’s neck, laughing quietly as she gently pushed her back. “Not even there. As I said, I haven’t collected your sugar yet.”
“So you do know how to laugh.”
Startled, she jerked away, smacking the back of her head against the stall frame. The servants never spoke to her without being addressed first unless they had a message for her, and even then, they never made such comments. So who—
Aya jumped sideways at Sakura’s sudden movement, clearing her line of sight. A little farther down the aisle stood a young man of average height. Well-worn clothing peeked out from under his traveling cloak, which was draped across a pair of broad shoulders.
And a pair of brilliant blue eyes watched her intently.
“What are you doing out here?” she griped, rubbing her head before catching herself and folding her hands at her waist. “Shouldn’t you be inside where it’s warm?”
Keenan shrugged. “I’m not cold anymore. And I’m used to being up early, so I’ve been exploring.”
Exploring? Or looking for weaknesses?
“Sneaking up on your betters amuses you?” she replied in a cool tone, lifting her chin.
Something flashed in his blue eyes before he dipped his head. “No. I apologize for scaring you, ma’am.”
“Ma’am?” Sakura drew herself up. “That is not the appropriate address for a princess. Nor am I married.”
Keenan bent a little lower. “I am aware, Your Highness.” Lifting his eyes without straightening, he added, “Else I wouldn’t have suspected you of jealousy.”
“You shouldn’t have anyway,” she snapped, striding down the aisle without bidding Aya farewell; he didn’t need to see more of her talking to a horse.
“I can see that.” Instead of remaining behind, he followed, maintaining a step distance between them.
Sakura kept her face forward and marched toward the exit. When he reached for the door, she gripped her skirt to stop herself from folding her arms across her chest.
“What are you doing?”
He paused with his hand on the latch. “You plan to visit your fox, don’t you?”
She simply lifted her chin, declining to respond.
Sidling past her, Keenan opened the door and stepped through. “I’d like an update on the search for Miss Liesl, but the kennel master was out when I stopped by earlier. So I’m coming with you.” He hesitated, glancing back at her. “If that’s all right, Your Highness.”
The cold air drifted through the open door, coiling around her and threatening to send an un-princess-like shiver down her spine. Ignoring it, she studied her unexpected guest. He was full of contradictions, challenging her one minute but bowing the next, teasing her and then withdrawing.
Perhaps he was testing the waters. She wouldn’t be surprised if he intended to charm her as he had her mother, even if she didn’t understand how he’d managed that feat.
“It is.” Pulling her cloak tight, she strode through the door, forcing him to jump out of her way. “The sooner your friends are found, the sooner you may be on your way.”
She heard the frame rattle as he closed the door behind her, then the crunch of the snow under his boots as he jogged the few feet to catch up. This time, he walked next to her, but he didn’t speak or offer his arm as a gentleman would have.
His lack of social graces didn’t bother her, though. She didn’t allow him to join her because she expected a peasant to act above his station.
One of her eyebrows twitched up as they approached the kennels. She’d always heard that it was best to keep one’s friends close…and one’s enemies closer.