left first and then helped me out. Marcus was already standing waiting as stable boys came rushing to take our horses away.
The castle seemed quiet. No one came out to greet me and for that, I was thankful. Hopefully Mother had no idea who had
brought me home or what had happened in the square.
“Until the jousting, princess. I shall pray I receive your favour.”
When he brushed his lips against my knuckles, my body shuddered the same way it did when my shadow man did it. Cole’s
eyes lifted towards me, and those same specks of grey sparkled within them, making a sense of unknowing wash over me.
We had done this before.
I was sure of it.
I didn’t want to brave bringing in Cole inside the castle walls, especially with Mother running around prepping the final
touches for her darling boy's wedding day. I didn’t wish to be pulled into doing any of the organising. Instead, I settled for
sitting out in the rose garden, hoping to go through my thoughts from today.
Sitting down on one of the stone benches, Cole’s jacket still rested on my shoulders seeing as I had forgotten to give it back
to him. I would need to hide it in my room before Mother found it. Thankfully, Kathlyn was always quick to aid me with such
things.
“Oh, your highness, we missed you at the tea house.”
Lady Gelda curtsied low to the ground as soon as she spotted me, I threw the jacket off my shoulders and hid it behind my
back, hoping she did not see. Her and Mother had grown close, so I wasn’t always sure I could trust her with anything.
I’d completely forgotten I was going to meet Gelda for tea at some point today. It slipped my mind once I spotted Dorian
and the events that unfolded afterwards..
“I do apologise Lady Gelda, something came up with the festival planning that needed my attention.”
“Ah yes, the queen did say you had some errands to run when I mentioned you’d not joined me. I apologise if my ladies and
I are disturbing you now, you looked very lost in thought.”
“That’s quite alright, I was just out here getting some fresh air. How are you?”
Her ladies in waiting all curtsied and then stood farther back as she fanned herself lightly. The air was a little humid as the
spring season grew warmer. I had not noticed it very much, even if it was my favourite time of year. Lately, my mind had been
preoccupied. Gelda was joined mostly at my mother’s hip, or at least had been these past few weeks. Possibly so Mother could
keep a close eye on that growing belly, which was still yet to show.
“Was that Lord Cole I saw at the gates?” One of her ladies asked, stepping forward.
“Yes, I believe it was. He’s such a wonderful, kind man isn’t he, your highness? I hear he is looking for a future wife. Has
he said anything to you, perhaps?”