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)
“Alicia,” Kalon growled.
“Shh.” I touched my thumb to his lips. “You have your battlefield, and I have mine.”
His eyes blazed with his barely restrained anger, but he sighed, pulling my hand from his face. “Very well. But if your way of shutting them up doesn’t work, I’m not making any promises.”
“You’re so good at compromising.”
“Was that a compliment?”
“I told you that if you wanted a compliment, you needed to do something praiseworthy.” I grinned again. “You held back. Good job.”
“For someone who fears being accused of using black magic, you’re doing an awfully good job of wrapping me around your finger,” he muttered.
“Ah, well, it’s too late now.”
“Introducing Their Imperial Majesties, Emperor Cassius III and Empress Consort Eudocia, and His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Torin of the Sada Empire!” The announcer’s voice boomed through the room, and as if those words were magic, silence spread across the ballroom as everyone paid their respects.
And at the forefront were Kalon and me.
“You may rise,” the Emperor said, stopping in front of us. “Kalon. Alicia. Have you just arrived?”
Kalon nodded, acknowledging them each with a tilt of his head. “Your Majesties. Brother.”
Torin’s jaw clenched, but there wasn’t much he could say—he was the Crown Prince, but their status was technically the same. “Brother,” he replied tightly. “And Lady Alicia, you look beautiful this evening.” He took my hand and kissed it before I could blink.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” I pulled back my hand as quickly as I could without it being rude and clutched Kalon’s arm. “Your Majesties, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
The Emperor waved his hand. “No need to be so formal. We’re quite close now, aren’t we, Allie?”
I fought my smile. “I suppose so.”
“Kalon, do you have a moment? I’d like to discuss something quickly with you and Torin about tomorrow’s hunt.”
Kalon paused. “Must it be now? I’d rather not leave my fiancée alone, lest anyone get any ideas.”
He absolutely looked at his brother when he said that.
Almost as if he was desperate to pick a fight with someone.
“Go. I will be fine,” I assured him, nudging his arm.
“Of course. She’ll be with me.” Empress Eudocia smiled at him. “Surely you can trust me to keep your beloved fiancée safe, Kalon?”
No, no. I wasn’t sure he did.
Defeated, Kalon sighed. “I’ll be right back.”
The three of them took their leave, and the Empress stepped up beside me, gazing out across the ballroom. “The chattering is quite tiring, isn’t it?”
“I’m sure it’s far more tiring for those who speak of things they don’t know, Your Majesty,” I said quietly. “After all, they’re doing little more than jump through mental hoops to make themselves feel better.”
She laughed airily. “You’re quite right, Lady Alicia. Unfortunately, there will always be those who are far more entertained by the endless possibility of fiction. The truth’s greatest fault is that it has its limits.”
“I would prefer to be constrained by the limits of truth than run away with a fantasy.”
“You’re an intelligent woman, although we already know that. Your aid policy for the victims of the monster attacks in Stein is quite the hot topic.” She eyed me. “And there are those seeking to discredit you for it.”
“That says far more about them than it does about me or my capabilities, Your Majesty.” I met her gaze. “If I cared, I’m sure I wouldn’t have to look far to find the source of such slander.”
“Indeed. When looking into such things, I believe we should always peek inside our own house first. Don’t you agree?” She smiled, and a calculating glint flashed across her gaze for a moment. “Ah, it looks like it really was a quick conversation. I will leave you to greet your friends and family with Kalon.”
A hand rested on my shoulder, and I turned to see Kalon taking the spot by my side.
“It’s a shame we aren’t sharing a tent during the hunt tomorrow,” Empress Eudocia said, holding my gaze. “But I would be greatly pleased if you would stop by the Imperial Tent for some tea with me.”
She said it as if she were inviting me, but it was an order.
“It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty,” I replied. “I will be sure to stop by after lunch has been served.”
“Excellent.” She pulled out her fan and unsnapped it, spreading it to cover the lower half of her face. “I will see you both tomorrow. Enjoy the ball.”
She turned and left with one regal swoop of her dress, and I all but sagged against Kalon.
“That looked like it was fun,” he quipped.
“Mm,” I replied, turning to look at her. “She was testing me, but I’m not sure if I passed.”
“You did. She wouldn’t have invited you into the Imperial Tent otherwise. Her circle is extremely tight.”
“I don’t know if I should be happy about that or not,” I mused. “Although, I think she helped me. Do you remember what the Emperor said last night? About the rumours around the aid policy?”