The Princess's Dangerous Betrothal

Chapter 10: surprises

Warren returned her bow, then said, “May I sit?”

“Oh, yes, please,” Eiley said, too quickly.

He took the chair next to her and sat down. She stood beside him a moment, subtly twirling her skirts. It was a trick she had perfected to draw attention to her figure. She liked the attention she got from several people throughout the room, even as she groaned that Warren was included in that number.

She sat down with a flourish and said the first thing that came to mind. “Warren, how are  you liking your accommodations?”

They both flinched at her informality, and Eiley frowned in confusion. It wasn’t like her to slip like this, she had been well trained. She shook it off, and smiled at Warren.

When he saw she wasn’t going to change her wording, he said, “It’s very nice, thank you.”

“Is there anything I can have sent for to make you feel more at home?”

“No, thank you, Princess Eiley.” The way he said her title was almost a pointed attack. “When I travel outside of Reslandia, I like to embrace the local customs as much as duty allows.”

Eiley wondered at his odd phrasing, but pushed on. “Oh, do you get to travel outside of your kingdom often.”

“No,” Warren said, frowning.

“Oh,” Eiley said.

Thankfully, at that moment, the serving staff entered with dinner. Normally, Eiley’s table would be served third or fourth, depending on whether her brother sat with them or not, but as a visiting monarch, Warren took precedence, so the ladies were served first with him.

Eiley grinned, enjoying the benefit. She thought to herself that the possibility of marrying Prince Warren might not be so ghastly if it amounted to this.

Warren, meanwhile, looked distracted as dinner was being served. He seemed uncomfortable with the attention, and he was visibly relieved when we were served and the staff moved on to the King's table.

With the distraction, Eiley turned the conversation to her friends, gossiping about some boy Teresa was talking to this week, and which of the servants seemed to be spending too much time together. The dinner passed pleasantly with Warren as a silent specter over their discussion.

Eiley was so engrossed in teasing Annabelle about a squire who had been following her around that she didn’t notice Ronan until he sat down beside her. Annabelle’s face went pale, but Eiley had already turned to greet Ronan.

“Ro, how kind of you to join us!” She stuck out her tongue at him, but fast so only he caught it.

Ronan scrunched his nose at her and shoved her shoulder playfully. “Of course, I’d come join you! I want dessert first!”

The girls laughed at this and Annabelle twirled her hair around her fingers.

“I actually came to talk to Prince Warren,” Ronan continued. “Is there anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable?”

Warren seemed surprised that Ronan was speaking to him and said, “Oh, uh, no, nothing at all. Thank you.”

Ronan put on the smile he reserved for court. “Please feel free to ask for anything at all. It’s no issue, and we’re happy to be accommodating.”

“Really, I’m fine,” Warren said.

Eiley put her hand on Warren’s shoulder playfully. “See, Ro, Prince Warren prefers to experience the culture of whatever nation he’s visiting. We could have told him it’s our custom to sleep with the pigs, and saved on heating.” She laughed at her own joke, and even Warren grinned.

Ronan scowled at her a moment, but his expression softened. “I assure you, Prince Warren, there’s no livestock on the itinerary.”

Warren laughed and said, “I appreciate the reassurance, but I did come here with an open mind.”

“And you and Eiley have been getting along?” Ronan asked. “I hope she’s been welcoming?”

Eiley stiffened, waiting for Warren’s response.

Warren cleared his throat. “She’s been quite accommodating.”

Eiley let out a sigh of relief. “See, Ro!” Eiley said. “You had nothing to worry about!”

Ronan looked past Eiley to keep talking to Warren. “So will you be joining us for games this evening?”

“Hmmm…?” Warren’s surprise was noticeable, but Eiley quickly jumped in.

“Well, I was going to wait until dessert for this, but I suppose now will do,” she said, turning to Warren with a smile. “My brother and I are having a little get together this evening. Just a small group, very informal. We’ll bring out some wine and play some cards, maybe dice if we’re feeling like it.” Eiley smiled up at Warren, pausing for effect. “I would love it if you would join us.”

“Oh,” Warren’s eyes widened. “I need to catch up on some correspondence. Thank you, but no.”