Chapter Thirty #2
Crown Prince Torin looked at me, smirking, then turned back to Sophia who was still staring at him, dumbfounded.
“If maids and a knight who isn’t even of the empire’s knightage can greet me appropriately and you can’t, perhaps you need an even more intense education than the one Marquess Vermillion is providing you, Sophia. ”
Sophia immediately dropped into the correct greeting. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I was not expecting to see you when I turned around and briefly forgot myself.”
“Then perhaps you should return to your tent so that you may remember your manners.”
“I will take my leave.” She didn’t even look up at me as she scurried off with Ruby on her heels.
Heh.
Crown Prince Torin kept his eye on her as she went.
For a moment, he closely resembled Kalon, but it was one that was truly fleeting.
As he turned to me, it quickly became clear that all they had in common was the purple hue of their eyes—the symbol of the Sada Imperial Family—and a ghost of a portrait.
“Lady Alicia, where are you heading?” he asked me.
“I was just wandering around on my way to find the Grand Duke,” I replied.
“Ah, yes, as his fiancée, I suppose you have a handkerchief to give him.” His smile was tight. “I was on my way back to my horse. Would you mind if I escorted you?”
Yes.
I would mind greatly.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” is what actually came out of my mouth as I took the arm he offered. “I suppose it wouldn’t be inappropriate for you to escort your future sister-in-law, would it?”
“Of course not. Nobody in their right mind would dare suggest otherwise, not with my dear brother’s reputation.”
‘Dear brother’ my arse.
“Mm,” I said. “Are you ready for the hunt, Your Highness?”
“Yes, I am, although my sword is lacking a handkerchief.”
“What a shame. I’m sure you’ll find no shortage of honourable young ladies willing to solve that problem for you.”
“You’re quite cold, my lady. Do you know it’s become quite common to give them to family members?” He peered down at me, but I steadfastly ignored his gaze.
It wasn’t hard. I was already ignoring all the questioning gazes from people around us.
“I am aware,” I confirmed. “However, as an engaged woman, it would be highly inappropriate for me to offer a handkerchief to anyone other than my betrothed, wouldn’t you say, Your Highness?”
“Ah, of course.” He smiled, but there was a hint of mild annoyance in his tone. “I am interested to hear your thoughts on an engaged gentleman accepting one from another woman, though.”
“I’d rather not share those. You appear to have quite a good opinion of me, and I would hate to disappoint you.”
“That’s a shame. I was wondering what you’d do, given there’s a young lady offering your fiancé a handkerchief right now.”
I jolted, digging my fingers into his arm. “What? Where?”
“Just over there.” Crown Prince Torin raised his arm, and I followed the direction of his finger.
Kalon was standing in front of a small tent, peering down at a blonde woman in a green dress. She was nervously fidgeting with something in her hand, and I recognised her the instant she looked up at him with a beaming smile.
Lillia.
I took a step forward, but Crown Prince Torin held his arm out in front of me, blocking me. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“Wait a moment,” he said, leaning down closer to me. “Aren’t you interested in what he’ll do?”
I was.
Damn it, I really was.
But… why didn’t he care that Lillia was offering her handkerchief to Kalon?
Torin had none, and I knew for a fact they’d met and even danced together last night.
He should have been interested in her to the point that this would annoy him, but he looked more as though he was enjoying it than anything.
Lillia held out the handkerchief to Kalon, and he looked down at it. Just when my faith in him wavered and I thought he might actually accept it, he held up one hand and shook his head.
“I’m impressed,” Crown Prince Torin said. “She’s a beautiful woman, and she was quite enthusiastic with her interest in Kalon at the ball last night. She asked me numerous questions about him during our dance. Did you notice?”
What a shit stirrer.
“Please excuse me, Your Highness,” I said, removing my hand from his arm. “Thank you for escorting me, but it appears I must rescue my fiancé from some unwanted attention.”
“I’ve never seen him be rescued by a woman. I think I’ll join you.”
“Do as you please,” I replied, marching off ahead of him.
Lillia took a step closer to Kalon and reached for him, and even from his distance, I could see Kalon’s jaw tick. I recognised that look—it was the one he got when someone argued with him unnecessarily, and if she pushed him any further…
Well, if she pushed him any further, I would have to accidentally shove her face in the mud to get her away from him.
For now, it was time to make my presence known.
“There you are, honey!” I said brightly, if a little loudly.
Lillia flinched at the sound of my voice, turning her face away from me.
That’s right.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.