“Noah can do it now that you’ve settled on the recipe,” he insisted.
“Noah has other things to do, and I enjoy helping,” Luci said slowly.
“He seems to have plenty of time on his hands. I’m sure he can handle it.” Prince Ira said, dismissing her and returning to play fetch.
Luci leaned over and retrieved Bertram just as he was about to go face-first into the bookshelf. Goodness knew he wasn’t a clever creature. The small beast flailed in the air, eyes pinned to the red ball, though it was a wonder he could see it at all with the long hair covering his eyes. It might explain his lack of depth perception.
“Good thing I am not beholden to your permission, last I checked.” Luci snapped.
His wide grin and obnoxious dimples were the most infuriating sight Luci ever saw.
“Is that so?” he said.
Stepping forward, Luci cocked her head as she dropped Bertram into his lap.
“Change of plans, I am going to the infirmary to poison your elixirs,” she said.
His laugh was every warm summer day at the lake and the coziest of nights by the fire. It lit up his face until he shone like the sun. A prince who never knew a hard day, but instead bore the laugh lines to prove his happiness.
“I’ll go with you,” Gladys said. “This room is quickly falling into madness.”
Luci nodded and made for the door.
“Are we concerned she just threatened Ira?” Lucien said.
“He deserved it,” Gladys answered.
“Yes, but still–” Lucien drifted off.
Luci wasn’t willing to stay and hear her sentence given. Prince Ira was still chuckling as if this were all wildly amusing. How he would survive on his own traipsing around Meridea was a mystery. The first sign of discomfort, and he’d probably run home.
When the door shut behind Gladys, Luci slowed her steps to accommodate the princess even though her feet itched to run. Of all the royals, Gladys was the most bearable besides Max. She was practical while also being kind.
“Your dog is likely to get a concussion,” Luci said.
Gladys murmured a sound that might have been agreement, but there was a tension radiating off her that Luci was not eager to explore. How long was she planning on staying with her? Part of the peace of the infirmary was the solitude. Noah was good about letting her work, and he was usually engrossed in his own projects.
“Do you like it here, Luci?” Gladys asked.
Passing servants bowed their heads to her as they walked, and the princess was quick to offer them a kind word and a smile. It was easy to see why she was beloved by the people. She was kind, much like Brielle, and that was a rarity in the world.
“I like working in the infirmary, and I like that Brielle is happy,” Luci answered.
Maybe she should have lied. It probably would have been wiser, but something told her that Gladys would have seen through it.
“You think she’s happy?” she asked.
“I’ve never seen her so content,” Luci said.
Since last night, the truth of that hurt a little less. Brielle was at home regardless of where they were. If they never went back to Blythe, Luci would make this place her resting place. All that mattered was that she was beside her best friend.
“I know the way their courtship began was unconventional and that it is a trial of sorts, but it seems, though she and Ira are friendly, she is more of a blushing bride with Lucien,” Gladys said.
Luci’s heart stuttered in her chest. Of course, she wasn’t the only one to notice. However, this was dangerous territory. Being immersed in her own work, this was the first time Luci witnessed Brielle’s flushed cheeks and bright eyes. Lucien of all people, but then what was to be of her and the prince she agreed to marry? What Luci needed was to snatch Brielle away and ask her exactly what she was thinking.
“I hadn’t noticed.” Luci lied.
Gladys shot her a long look, head tilted to the side like Luci was a puzzle of sorts.