Roman
“Do you think the king and queen are partners—in a partnership?" Lucille asked as we climbed the grand staircase.
I laid my left hand in the small of the princess's back, splaying my fingers. “I don't know. When I began this, I would have said no." We both kept our volume low. “You've been here longer. What do you think?"
“I'm beginning to think that there's a whole world behind the curtain, so to speak, a world I was in but one I never saw." Lucille's smile was radiant as she peered up at me. “For the first time, I feel like we are—partners."
I lowered my timbre. “Dismiss Lady Buckingham early. I'll dismiss Lord Martin." My cheeks rose as my smile grew. “I want to spend as much time alone with you as the clock will allow."
“As soon as I'm bathed."
“Princess, you're perfect
