CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
I gesture toward the couch politely.
“Please… sit down.”
Frederick lowers himself onto the seat, calm but curious. I sit across from him, my hands twisting on my lap as I gather the courage to speak.
“I need to leave the palace for a little while,” I say softly. “Just a few hours.”
His brows rise a little.
“I know the king won’t allow it,” I add quickly. “He won’t even let me step outside the gates. But you… you have the influence to help me. You can get me out. I just want to breathe, see the city, meet my friends, shop a little… feel normal.”
He watches me so closely it makes my heart race.
“That is all you want?” he asks.
“Yes,” I whisper. “Just that.”
He leans back, thinking deeply. Then he nods.
“All right. I’ll help you.”
A breath I didn’t realize I’d b
