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"But he did and he’s only a servant" She turned back tomy roootten some dirt on my face then"

"I never said the dirt detracted frohness," I told her "Only that it was there"

With a somewhat embarrassed smile, she nodded ather seat Out of the corner of h his expression was so controlled I couldn’t tell whether he was aood as it was served that it took considerable willpower not to reveal that I was in disguise at that e roast had been prepared, with boiled carrots and potatoes, hot bread, and sonize when Conner offered it to Aen was one of the servants of the meal I noticed a cut on her forehead and wondered if Conner would dis I stared at her as she served, she avoided my eye each time she entered or exited the roo herself away froer that surrounded Conner’s plans?

Across the room, Tobias was disinterested and lackluster He stared at the floor and soon faded into the background Roden looked hungry, and I caught hi at the princess with a powerful expression of adan with shallow pleasantries Conner described his life in the country, away from the politics of Drylliad Amarinda discussed her travels as she toured Carthya in the recent weeks Her parents understood that as an heir to the throne, she was farthe conversation

After the main course was served, Conner steered the conversation directly to the topic I was sure he had intended for us to hear: the plans for her eventual wedding and ascension to the throne

Aether, then said, "Perhaps there will never be a wedding" She glanced over at Conner, who feigned appropriate concern After a moment, she added, "There is a ru and queen, and their son"

"Oh?" Conner’s wide eyes actually looked curious He knew exactly what that ru skills

"You haven’t heard it?"

"I was told the king and queen and their son are touring the northern country, which they often do at this time of year"

"And may I ask when you last saw them?"

"It’s been a feeeks," Conner said "Before their trip to Gelyn"

"And they ell?"

"Certainly"

Amarinda’s father spoke up "Then the ruh of relief and took his wife’s hand She also looked relieved

"Rumors have always surrounded the royal family," Conner said, as if the matter were settled "It’s the cheapest entertainhter at the table, except for Amarinda, whose solemn voice took control of the roohter fell silent, and she continued, "All three of the"

Mott glanced atme not to react I forced a disinterested, blank expression ontoin e the subject But I needed the about it, because nousthe princess However, the one question at the top of my mind was one I knew she’d never ask: Would the person who steps in as the prince become the next victim?