“High-tow-er.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, thanks, I heard you. I’m just wonderingwhy,exactly, you’ve brought me to your childhood home instead of back to the castle?”
“Consider it Phase Two of Operation Distraction.”
“I don’t need more distracting. I promise I won’t watch the news until the polls close and the results are announced. And I won’t so much as Google the namevon Strauss.”
“No one believes you.”
“Galizia believes me! Don’t you, Galizia?”
My personal guard says nothing from the driver’s seat.
Chloe snorts. “See? Not even she believes you can be trusted alone with a search engine, today. You need some healthy distance from all the things that have been stressing you out, E. A technology detox.”
“Fine. Whatever.” I cross my arms over my chest and pin her with my best withering stare. “Does this phase of your plan at least involve food? Because I’m starving.”
“I’m sure the pantry is well stocked. Though I haven’t been here for quite some time.”
A worrisome thought occurs to me. “There’s no chance Octavia is inside, is there?”
“No, Your Majesty,” Galizia offers, meeting my eyes in the rearview. “As you requested, we’ve begun monitoring her location. She is currently in residence at the Bane estate.”
“As inRamsey Bane?” My nose wrinkles in disgust at the mention of the former King’s Guard Commander — one of the most unpleasant men I’ve ever had the misfortune of meeting. “Those two make a fitting pair…”
“Garbage attracts garbage.” Chloe shrugs. “It’s science.”
I snort. “I’m just glad for a chance to finally see Hightower without your family members here to complicate things. I’ve wanted to visit for a long time. After all the stories you’ve told me, it’ll be nice to see where you grew up in person.”
Where Carter grew up.
Chloe looks at me for a long beat without answering, an indecipherable expression on her face.
“What?” I ask, blinking at her. “Is there drool on my cheek or something?”
“No, you’re good.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“No reason.” She waves her phone at me. “I’m going to check in with Dr. Hess. You head inside first, I’ll catch up.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
“No!”
My eyebrows lift at her abrupt intensity.
“Sorry,” she mutters. “It’s just… I need a little privacy, okay?”
“Of course. Sorry.” Hand poised on my car door handle, I narrow my eyes at her. “Are you sure you’re okay, though? You’re acting sort of…off.”
“Just go in, will you?”
I glance at Galizia in the driver’s seat but she simply shrugs and climbs out of the Maybach. I open my own door and follow her toward the impressive front facade of the mansion, whistling as more details come into view. The architecture is truly marvelous.
“Are we allowed to be here?”
Galizia glances over at me, amused. “Since this is your kingdom, I believe you’re allowed to go wherever you want, Your Majesty.”