Fortunately, Professor Zolanskov is very good natured and politely takes in all my rambling adoration, even asking me questions about my thesis and my plans for future studies.
“Perhaps you would like to come to a lecture at St. Vladimir’s while you are here,” he suggests after I’ve told him all about my PhD plans.
My eyes light up at the invitation to visit Korova’s most prestigious university. “Yes, absolutely. That would be amazing!”
The professor nods. “Perhaps next week, or the week after. Once my students have completed their mid-semester exams.”
I can’t help my head from bobbing back and forth enthusiastically. “Yes, thank you. That would be great.”
We wrap up the conversation and I let Professor Zolanskov return to his other acquaintances. I’ve just returned to Penny’s side when a chorus of murmurs ripples around the room.
Next to me Penny gasps. “Oh, wow. This just got interesting.”
I glance over in the direction she’s looking to see two men have just taken to the dance floor. At first I think it’s Prince Aleksandr, but then I realize it’s his cousin, Prince Sebastian, who I met briefly a couple days ago when he arrived at the palace to stay for the banquet. He’s been openly bisexual for a while now, so why him dancing with his current boyfriend should cause a stir is completely beyond me.
After the initial buzz, though, the murmurs die off and everyone seems to go back to their conversations. But then there’s an outraged cry from a woman who was clearly absent for the initial hubbub. “Oh my god! What is he doing? Is he trying to embarrass me?”
She’s young and attractive and looks very familiar but I can’t quite place her right now. Probably because I’m concentrating on throwing mental daggers at her. “Who’s that again?” I ask Penny.
“That is Princess Sofia,” she tells me in a tone that makes it clear she’s not a fan. “She’s Prince Sebastian’s sister.”
Ahh, yes…the socialite. She’s Korova’s answer to Kim Kardashian, and is no doubt fretting over how her brother’s display will affect her popularity.
As if drawing me like a magnet, my eyes land on King Lukas, who I notice is also watching Sebastian and his boyfriend. But I’m relieved to see there’s no hint of disapproval there. Instead he’s wearing a strange expression that somehow seems half happy and half full of despair.
Despite my earlier resolution to forget about him, I can’t stop my heart from reacting to that look on his face, and as if of their own accord, my feet start to move across the room in his direction.
I stop right in front of him and he blinks at me a few times, clearly surprised to see me. The surprise turns to outright shock when I ask, “Your Majesty, may I have this dance?”
He hesitates for a long moment, but the invitation was loud enough that I really gave him no choice but to accept. He takes my offered hand and we head onto the dance floor. And if the buzz for Sebastian and his boyfriend was loud, it’s nothing compared to the ruckus that breaks out now.
I can feel the tension in Lukas’s frame as the music starts, so I try to put him at ease. “Come on, men dance together all the time in Korova.”
“Peasant dances,” he counters. “In the countryside. Not the waltz at grand banquets.”
“Tomato-tomaato.” I say with a wry smile. “Besides, I think it would have caused more controversy if you’d turned me down.”
He nods. “You may have a point.”
“Really? King Lukas is admitting that I an ignorant American is right about something?”
He lets out a breath of wry laughter. “You’re a good dancer.”
“That surprises you?”
“A little bit. Yes.”
“You know, it occurred to me earlier when everyone was asking me about America that I know more about this country than I do my own. The waltz is part of the culture here, ergo…”
He nods. “I see.” He pauses for a moment as if hesitating about whether to say what’s on his mind. “You seemed to be getting along very well with Professor Zolanskov.”
I arch a brow. “You were watching me?”
Lukas sputters something in response and I decide to throw him a lifeline. “He’s invited me to watch a lecture at the university.” I’m unable to keep the enthusiasm from my voice.
“And that’s something you’re excited about?”
“Of course!”
His brow furrows slightly as a pensive expression touches his face. “I envy that enthusiasm. I never cared much for school.”
“Your children seem to enjoy it,” I point out.
He smiles fondly. “Yes, they get that from Lesia.”
The song comes to an end and Lukas and I separate. I bow to him, and just before he turns to leave I make a decision about something. “Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
“I sleep with my door unlocked. Just…FYI.”
10
LUKAS
“Your Majesty, if I may ask—what was that last night?”
“What was what?”
Veronika casts me a doubtful glance before returning her attention to the tablet in her hands. “You know exactly what. Was it some kind of statement, dancing with the tutor?”
“Should I have turned him down? Surely that would have caused a greater stir?” I ask, parroting Jai’s comment from last night.
She lets out a soft sigh. “I suppose you’re right.” Pausing in front of me, she looks up and levels me with a concerned look. “Is there something I need to know about, Your Majesty?”
My brows creep upward. “Such as?”
“I think you know what I’m referring to, sir.”
Yes, because that’s exactly what I need—my entire staff trying to manage my private life.
I shake my head. “No.”
She frowns, as if she knows I’m not being completely honest with her, but eventually she lets it go with a resigned sigh and steps out of my path. “Fine, but I’d appreciate it if you let me in on any more big statements like the one you made last night. Do you know how difficult it’s going to be for me to wrangle the press today? Prince Sebastian dancing with his boyfriend
