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"The way I see it, I have two bargaining chips right now: the vacant spot on the Quoru for, andapart Iallies with aining chips," she says

"Three? What do you azes at hest ranking officer in the kingdo and handsome He has the friendship of the queen He is of ible bachelor in your kingdoe"

"Oh" I blink at her, vaguely stunned "Yes, of course" Why has this never occurred to me?

A knock sounds at the door to uard announces the presence of Lord-Conde Eduardo

I fix a smile on eneral

"Ah, Your Majesty, I’ainst his sharp myrrh musk as I take his outstretched hands and kiss his cheek "It feels good to get back to a regular schedule," I say

"Yes, I heard you would begin interviewing suitors today I clearedyour rin is so hard and stiff that my teeth ache "Oh, you shouldn’t have, Your Grace I hate to think I’ you frodoht be the n Of course I will be there for you" He graspslike a concerned father with his furrowed brow

But every instinct screa him to accompany me Think, Elisa!

I duck rateful for your presence and your counsel" He brightens visibly "But I have a few more private preparations to make Will you meet me in my office?"

"Of course, Your Majesty" His eyes sweep over own, my hair, my necklace "You’ll wear your croon’t you?"

"I wasn’t planning--"

"It’s io into these interviews appropriately accessorized by the syroan inwardly, thinking of the headache I’ll have by the tiht, Your Grace"

He sently "I’ll see you soon" He bows and exits my bedchamber

As soon as the door closes at his back, I say to no one in particular, "I want Conde Eduardo out of my office as soon as possible"

"I’ll take care of it, ht of authority that I have no doubt she can do as she promises "I need some time--you’ll have to suffer his company at first But I’ll have him away as soon as possible"

"Thank you"

When she places the crown on my head, it feels like aa new one, soht Butextravagance when I can’t even afford to hire and train h the loops in the lining, but it doesn’t e presses against the top of rown an extra brow," I say, wrinkling h, the crown slips even farther, and the cartilage ofuntil the croobbles but stays put No sudden head movements, I tell myself as she pronounces me ready to receive suitors

I’ve hardly used ht roo hose deep ledges are lush with potted ferns But I’ at the desk, I feel like an i Still, it’s better thanthrone

Hector takes his position at ht shoulder, Conde Eduardo at my left Guards stand sentry at the s and doorway My secretary sits in a corner at a small desk, his quill poised to take notes I can only see the top of his head because a s n thenore the stack; I can’t think about it now

My heart pounds with nervousness as ait How does a queen handle a suitor? When I was a princess of Orovalle, I was overweight and solitary, with an unnatural attraction to musty scrolls Anyone ished to court otiation withEveryone ant so opportunities, or h they’ll pretend otherwise, none ant me

I don’t kno I’ll bear the polite dance of flirtation and innuendo that always precedes these agreeate the e treaty I certainly don’t want to make any missteps that would cause Eduardo to feel he uard

I straighten in al

A barrel-shapedhair enters His eyes are wide, his expression serious Droplets of sweat collect on his protruding upper lip He bo

"Your Majesty," says Conde Eduardo at my ear "May I present Lord Liano of Altapal Conde Tristán

"I took the liberty ofschedule so we could accoood friend here," Eduardo explains "I kno eager you are to make the acquaintance of some of the northern lords"

I’ratitude Is it a coe the monarch’s schedule?

I force blandness to "

He rises fro Am I supposed to direct our conversation?

"Lord Liano is heir to the countship of Altapalma until his older brother produces a son" Eduardo jumps in "He’s a devout observer of the holy sacraments and an accomplished hunter"

"Wild javelinas," Liano blurts out "I’ve won the annual tourna at his wet upper lip "Oh That’sierness "And I tan javelina hides! My hides are soft enough to arb for even the finest ladies Iweapons And" He draws hiht "I am Grand Master of the Society for the Advocacy of Javelinas as Livestock"

"So accomplished," I murmur, more than a little stunned I could not marry this man Not ever Not even to save my country I’d rather abdicate

Souard answers After a muted conversation, he says, "Pardon me, Lord-Conde Eduardo, but Your Grace is su about a letter froies and hurries out the door I suddenly breathe easier Thank you, Ximena

I turn back to Lord Liano "I am forced to cut our appointment short, er in scheduling you, as I have another appointic, like that of a child who just had his favorite sweet taken away, and I hastily add, "But I’d love to discussjavelina hunting further at some point Are you in tohile for the Deliverance Gala?"

He bows "Of course, Your Majesty"