Chapter 7: Miles

As much as I want to, I can’t go see Lisabet right away. That’d be too obvious. To both her and Father, who’s no doubt wondering why Mother insisted on her being here. I may or may not have had to pull a few strings, really butter the Queen up to ensure that Lisabet could replace Terrance, the Royal Quartet’s cellist, while he is away for medical reasons. It wasn’t a hard task, of course. Mother loves listening to music of all sorts.

Something Father’s never really picked up on in their nearly thirty years of marriage.

Nevertheless, I make sure Lisabet has everything she needs to feel comfortable. David’s been a real saving grace in that regard. He’s the only one in this entire palace that I trust enough to take care of her for me. Food, drinks, extra pillows so that she can sleep well at night—anything—he will get for her. From David’s reports, she’s adjusting very well.

For now, that’s reward enough for me.

It’s not like I have any time to see her right now anyway.

The state dinner that King Albert is hosting has been the only thing on his mind, and as such, must be one of my top priorities by extension. He’s been pushing his duties onto me so hard that I sometimes feel like I don’t have the chance to breathe. Father demands that I be with him at all times, helping with formal speeches and security detail and things as mundane as organizing the seating arrangement.

“We can’t put the representative from Keeves next to the Prince of Luruna,” he scolds, rewriting my work. “That’d cause a scandal.”

“Their border skirmishes were over a century ago,” I point out indignantly. “Don’t you think they’re over it by now?”

King Albert says nothing, but his disapproval is loud and clear. He scratches out the seating plan that I spent hours working on and shakes his head.

“It’s a good thing I looked this over to check for mistakes,” he grumbles. “The guests are arriving shortly. Give this seating plan to Tobias. He’ll take care of the rest. Be there with your mother to greet the guests.”

I frown at him. “Where are you going?”

“I have a last-minute meeting with the economic affairs minister. I won’t be long.”

“So, you’re allowed to be late, but I’m not?”

Father glares at me. “Mind your tone, boy.”

“I’m a grown man. I’d appreciate it if you started treating me as such.”

“When you do something I deem worthy of respect, then we’ll talk. Now, get going. I have more pressing matters to attend to.”

King Albert shoves the seating plan into my hands and stalks off, his shoes clicking loudly against the cold marble floors to signal his departure.

I swallow my frustration and make my way to the grand hall where the state dinner is being hosted. It’s been transformed overnight, rows upon rows of circular tables covered in fine white cloth filling up the space. Fresh cut flowers adorn every table, green garlands of tulips and baby’s breath wrapping around the perimeter of the room. The west wall is comprised entirely of floor-to-ceiling windows which let in the light of the setting sun, painting the grand hall in soft orange, yellows, and pinks as the sun disappears behind the horizon.

My mother is by the entrance of the hall, greeting our esteemed guests as they walk in. She looks lovely in a lilac evening gown that touches the floor, an elegant string of pearls decorating her thin neck. It’s sad that she reminds me more of a wilting flower, but that’s what happens when you keep something so beautiful hidden away. The only times Mother ever gets to go out lately is if Father needs her to make a public appearance at an event to keep up the illusion that everything’s just fine.

Mother doesn’t smile much in her photos anymore.

When she sees me approach, her eyes light up. It’s the happiest I’ve seen her in a while. She kisses my cheek and pats my blazer down, straightening one or two of the medals pinned to my lapel.

“There’s my handsome son,” she coos. “I thought you were going to wear a tuxedo tonight.”

I shrug, leaning in to whisper in her ear. “Your husband insisted. Said we have to look strong amidst all the turmoil in Credonia. Something about reminding our people we’ve still got enough military presence to quash resistance. You know his spiel.”

Mother takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “I know,” she says with a sigh. “King Albert will be going on a trip to the UN to discuss the response to the coup tomorrow, so we’ll have the run of the place. Just bear with it for the night, hm?”

“Anything for you, Mother.”

“Do you like what I did with the quartet?” she asks. “I set them up on their very own pedestal over there. Don’t they look darling?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of Lisabet. She and her new string quartet are playing songs with light melodies, entertaining our guests as they arrive. I admire her for as long as I’m able, but my attention is ultimately pulled away when King Edward and Queen Alice arrive, trumpets flaring to announce their presence. Mother greets them warmly, excited considering it’s a truly rare sight to see them at such an event. They prefer to remain at home in Thalian, so this is quite the treat.

“How are the little ones?” is the first thing Mother asks as they kiss one another on the cheek.

“Very well,” King Edward says kindly. “Finally old enough that we can leave them home without worrying.”

Queen Alice laughs. “What was that panic attack you had when we landed?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, dear.”

“You called the kids the second we set foot on the ground. Worrywart, this one.”

“Alice, darling, please.”

As pleasant as our guests are, I feel like I’m trapped. All I want to do is sneak away, even for a moment, to have some time to myself. Listening to the graceful notes of Lisabet’s cello is the only thing that keeps me grounded, aware that just like every song she plays, this will also eventually come to an end.

When I do get the chance to slip away, almost two hours have passed. The quartet is setting their instruments down so that they can take a ten-minute break before getting back to their playlist. The state dinner is under way, everyone having taken their seats, and King Albert is at the front of the room making his welcome speech.

It’s the same old speech he delivers every year. Friendly enough, but hardly inspiring.

If I dip out for a while, I doubt anyone will miss me.

I find Lisabet down the service hall, massaging her palm and stretching her fingers as she looks out one of the many arched windows overlooking the palace gardens.

“Lovely evening, isn’t it?” I ask.

Lisabet startles and takes a step back. “You scared the crap out of me. Uh—” She curtsies clumsily. “I mean, hello, Your Royal Highness.”

I chuckle. “There’s no need for formalities, Lisabet.”

“I was told otherwise by the servants when I got here.”

“Well, I guess you’re the exception, then.”

Her cheeks have a light dusting of pink as she dares to hold my gaze with dark eyes so deep, I could willingly drown in them.

“Is your hand all right?” I ask, noticing the way her left hand is tensed and curled.

“Oh, it’s fine. It’s been a while since I’ve had to play for so long in one sitting.”

“I’ll have one of the attendants bring you an icepack.”

“It’s really okay. I feel better. Just needed a break.”

“Glad to hear it. Are you adjusting to everything well?”

Lisabet nods. “Yes. I was worried about the language barrier, but most people here speak English as a second language, so that’s a huge relief.”

“Should you ever need anything, I hope you know you can ask me.”

Lisabet smiles sweetly, glancing down at her shoes. “Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”

“Miles is fine.”

“Miles,” she says, testing my name out on her tongue. “Thank you, Miles.”

I like the way she says it. All day every day, people call my name. They always want something from me, need me to do them favors or smile for the camera or give a message to my father.

But Lisabet wants none of that. There’s no ulterior motive behind her eyes. No plot, no scheme. Just pure honesty and bluntness that’s borderline refreshing.

“Let’s go for a walk,” I say.

“What?”

“You and me, out in the gardens. What do you say?”

She swallows. “I…I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I should be getting back to the rest of the quartet. Otherwise it’s just a trio.”

“Do I intimidate you, Lisabet?”

“What? No, o-of course not.”

“Because it sounds like you’re coming up with excuses.”

Lisabet shakes her head. “You don’t intimidate me, Miles. I just think…”

“What?”

“I just think your time might be better well spent with someone else.”

“That’s really for me to decide, isn’t it?”

“I guess.”

I hold my arm out to her. “Five minutes,” I say gently. “I’ll show you around the gardens and bring you right back. It’s such a lovely night. It’d be a shame to spend it cooped up inside the entire time.”

Her brows furrow as she contemplates this, eventually taking a deep breath before slipping her arm through mine. “All right,” she says softly. “Lead the way, Miles.”

The palace gardens are truly a sight to behold. Vibrant colors and a symphony of floral scents fill the air, surrounding us on either side of the cobblestone path. The hedges are all tended to, the flowerbeds watered every day, and the thin canopy of white lace allows the silver glow of the moon to stream through and illuminate our path forward. There’s a small fountain at the center of the gardens, water trickling freely from the carved vase that the marble statue of a woman on the top tier holds.

“This entire place was an anniversary present from my father to my mother,” I tell Lisabet.

“That’s so sweet of him.”

“She’s allergic to flowers, but I suppose the thought was there.”

“Oh,” Lisabet says before giggling softly. “Oh, that’s terrible. Did he forget or something?”

“He must have. You’d think a man with as many advisors as he has that someone would have reminded him.”

“That’s a real shame.”

“It’s not all bad. She much prefers to be by the ocean, so I take her out on the yacht when the weather’s nice.”

“You have a yacht?”

I grin. “Yes. Have you ever been on one?”

She chews on the inside of her cheek and keeps her eyes cast on the ground. “The closest thing to a yacht I’ve ever been on was the ferry from Brooklyn to Manhattan. I almost went on a cruise once to play live music in one of their bars, but then I was offered a position with the orchestra.”

“I’ll take you tomorrow,” I tell her as we round the bend in the path.

“What?” She gasps, flustered. “Oh, no. No, you don’t have to do that. I’m sure you have better things to do.”

I stop in my tracks and look her in the eye. “As judge of my own schedule, I guarantee you there is nothing I’d rather do.”

Her face turns an adorable shade of red. “Miles—”

“Are you free tomorrow?”

“I…Yes. Yes, I’m free.”

“Will you join me out on the yacht, Lisabet? I don’t give this invitation to just anyone.”

She pulls away and looks me straight in the eye. “I’m honored, Prince Miles, but that’s exactly why I’m confused. I’m nobody. I’m nothing special. Why are you being so nice to me?”

I step forward, closing the distance between us. There’s something electric in the air, something that’s on the brink of driving me crazy. Maybe it’s the way Lisabet looks at me, honest and tired eyes looking for warmth. Maybe it’s the way her lips part ever so slightly in anticipation for the first words that come to her mind. Or maybe it’s the way she smells, like sunshine beneath the moonlight.

“I told you already,” I say. “I like you. I’d like to get to know you better. One day out on the water. That’s all I ask.”

Lisabet nods slowly. “Okay,” she whispers. “Okay, fine.”

I toss her a wink. “It’s a date, then.”