Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“My journey was quite dull. Why don’t you stand near me and tell me all that has occurred in my absence?”
“Aunt, I shall go—”
“Remain where you are, August. Come, Lady Hathor, what has been the nature of this gathering so far?”
She kept her hands clasped before herself as she spoke, still in such a delicate manner.
“I fear there has not been much to tell, Your Majesty. Everyone does their best to hold conversation, but many think of the war…”
“Ah, how I tire of hearing of that. August, I have not seen you dance in quite some time. Escort Lady Hathor to the dance floor.”
“Aunt—”
“Now.”
I could not defy her, and so I stepped around her chair and outstretched my hand to Lady Hathor. She stared at me for a long minute, causing the queen to look at her. Only then did she take my hand. I led her into the center of the room, and only when her back was turned from the queen did her face change. There was the lady I knew.
“It is hard to believe it is you, under such refined speech and mannerisms,” I teased.
“I told you, it takes practice.”
“Well done. I have yet to see any other lady do better before her thus far,” I said. With the smile that spread across her face, you’d think I’d given her a rare diamond. It made me wish to smile in return, but I was very aware of the eyes on us, and how that would translate to the queen. “As you can see, my aunt is very set on matching us.”
“So I have noticed. But why is she so keen on me? She never showed any interest in me in the slightest before. Aphrodite was her favorite.”
“A monarch’s favor changes as seasons do. Your sister is not here, and you are the most incomparable of ladies, so now you are her favorite. Is that not what any woman would wish for?”
“Am I her new favorite? Or am I just a tool to tame you?”
“It could be both, but I lean toward the latter,” I whispered.
“Exactly. So why me, of all ladies? Can you not tell her you are interested in Lady Mary?”
“But I am not.”
She gave me a look but could not hold it as we broke apart to make space in this section of the dance.
“Can you not tell her you are in love with some other lady, maybe one from your drawings, and that you will not marry anyone else but her?” she asked when we were together again.
“I cannot, because I am not in love with a lady from my drawings.”
“So, they are real ladies you are acquainted with?”
I bit my lip, for I had forgotten with whom I was dealing. She let nothing get past her.
“What can I do to make you forget that book altogether?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
I sighed. “You are—”
“Choose your words carefully, Your Highness, or I will not converse with you any longer.”
I stepped closer to her, my face lowering toward hers. “Would you rather converse with the queen again? She looks to be speaking intently with your mother.”
Her eyes whipped back and she looked toward them. “What if she truly seeks to marry us, no matter what we think?”
Suddenly, the idea did not seem as horrid as it once did.
“My aunt is determined, but she is not so cruel as to force a marriage. She believes greatly in love.”
“What? Really?” Her gaze was back on me, and she did not look away. Or was it me who did not?
“Surely you know her match with the king was one of love?”
“Yes, I’d heard that, but…”
“His condition,” I whispered low, and she nodded.
“Yes, his condition, and with him being away from society for so long that…that…” Her voice trailed off, so I finished for her.
“You forgot he was once her most beloved husband.”
She nodded. “We usually think of him as the king…not a husband.”
“As is the case with most royals. People see us not as individuals, but as institutions. However, I have spoken to many at the palace, including my cousins. It is because she loves him so deeply that she hurts so greatly…and thus, she distracts herself with society and matchmaking.”
“And what is her matchmaking record?”
“She says she is perfect, with everyone but her own children,” I teased. “I think it is because she loves them that she is not so firm with them. She is soft at heart, I promise.”
“The queen, soft?” She giggled. Once more, the sight of her smile was wondrous to me.
“The very softest in society. You merely have to look beyond her icy glare.”
“I do not have such courage, and so I shall leave it up to you to dissuade her from choosing me as your tamer.”
“She only just arrived. I believe she has the energy to withstand any such persuasions. Why don’t you tell her you are in love with someone else?”