Talia had many spies within the castle. Sweet and innocent on the outside, but if you wanted to know something, or for false
information to spread, she was the one you asked to do it. She would have made a perfect diplomat if she wasn’t female.
A s congratulations and celebrations began, we ate and drank ourselves merry. Mother refused to allow me to slip away,
demanding I at least dance with some of the gentlemen. I may have already been asked to wed, but I still had to give off the
idea that I was still available.
By the fifth dance, I managed to escape out onto the garden courtyard. The air was crisp and slightly warm as spring was
finally settling in, and removing the winter chill from the air. This was my favourite time of year—when you could walk
outside without a shawl if you wanted to and didn’t have to worry too much about becoming cold.
“I thought a princess was meant to stay within eyeshot at all times.”
A man stepped out of the darkness as he sipped on a leather tankard. I had to refrain from rolling my eyes and scoffing at
his attempt at flirting. I wasn’t interested, and my face ached from fake smiling all night. I was tired and longed for my bed.
“I believe I still have eyes on me,” I replied, glancing slightly back at Marcus, who stood no more than ten feet away from
me.
The man chuckled lightly as he leaned over one of the courtyard stone walls. He didn’t bow or show any care for my
station and part of me enjoyed it, it was strangely nice.
“Do you not wish to dance with the ladies, sir?” I asked.
“Ha-Ha—I am far more suited out here. If I were to go in there, I am afraid I will be set upon by the mothers of those ladies
who demand me to take their daughters off their hands, especially now that our prince is off to be wed.”
I laughed a little, as I could already imagine it happening. It was a common occurrence at these types of events when the
entire court was allowed to mix with each other in conversations and dance. It was usually the only way some of the riskier
ladies were able to have their sexual awakenings, and most often or not, their parents were drunk and had not noticed them
disappearing into dark corridors with a nobleman, or sometimes a guard.
“Yes, I can see why outside is far more appealing.”
I stood next to him, crossing my arms and rubbing my forearms up and down to get rid of any goose pimples. He cupped the
tankard in both hands, and while one tapped against the silver edge, a gold ring clinked against it.
“Well, it wasn’t until you stepped outside, your highness.”
“Very kind of you to say so. But I am no more entertaining than those ladies in there.”
“I highly doubt that. You don’t seem to be a mindless lady hellbent on marriage. I think you are more of the adventure type.
Someone who longs to run away and be rid of this world.”
I tried not to show any surprise at his words. At how true they appeared to be. As if he already knew what lived in my soul.