Alex glared at him. “It's getting late, Your Highness. Don't you think you should head in for breakfast before the servants clear everything away?”
“Oh, you're right. I hope there's still some bacon left, I'm starving.” She turned back to Edmund but avoided meeting his eyes. “I'll see you later, Edmund.”
She turned and beat a hasty retreat toward the castle's side entrance. Alex followed a few paces behind.
What was that all about? I've never seen Edmund look so... serious, before. Strange.
They walked in silence, climbing the main stairs to the third floor, where a smaller stairwell at the end of the corridor would lead them up to Josselyn's tower room. Lady Merridale was constantly pestering Josselyn to take a room on the second floor, where the rest of the royal family kept their rooms, but she refused to move. The tower room had the best view in the entire castle, as well as the added benefit of discouraging frequent visits from her aunt.
As they walked down the third floor corridor, a door swung open and Prince Stefan stepped out into the hallway. His eyes passed over her with disinterest, and he started to pass the two of them by. Then suddenly, he stopped and jerked his head back around to look at them.
“Princess Josselyn! I didn't recognize you at first in your... simple ensemble. I'm afraid I mistook you for a servant of some sort. My apologies, Your Highness.”
“It's nothing, I assure you.” She held her arms out wide. “I imagine you're feeling a bit more relieved at our lack of betrothal, now that you see me in my natural state.”
She smiled, batting her lashes in an exaggerated fashion.
Prince Stefan tilted his head, studying her closely. “Not at all, my lady. I believe I like you even better like this.” Leaning down and whispering in her ear, he added, “Glistening with sweat.”
Alex growled, moving between her and the prince. She touched his sleeve and gave him a warning look.
“If you'll excuse me, I was just on my way to wash up before breakfast.”
The prince stepped back, casting an imperious look in Alex's direction before taking Josselyn's hand and brushing his lips across her knuckles.
“By all means, princess. I won't detain you but a moment longer, to ask if I might have the pleasure of your company this afternoon? I thought we might take a walk together in the garden, discuss our kingdoms' futures.”
I'd rather spend the afternoon having each of my teeth pulled out with a pair of rusty pliers.
“A stroll before dinner sounds lovely.”
“Excellent.” He winked, and Josselyn had to fight to keep from pulling a face. “I'll see you then.”
He sauntered off, and Josselyn's fake smile melted away. “I think I lost my appetite,” she muttered.
Alex glared daggers at the prince's retreating form. “Why did you stop me from teaching the rat some manners? He has no right to speak to you in such a way.”
“Maybe not, but what were you going to do? Attack the visiting prince who's the only hope we have at finally forming a peace treaty with Antos? Our kingdoms have been at odds with each other for too long. We can't afford to offend him over something as trivial as that.”
“Your honor is not trivial, Your Highness.”
She gave him a small smile, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow.
“If you would be so kind as to escort me to my room, sir?”
“I thought you hated being escorted.”
“You have to admit, it's rather silly having a guard escort you through your own home.” She tilted her head up, meeting his gaze. “But with someone like you as my guard, maybe it isn't so bad after all.”
Her smile grew wider as a faint blush tinged his cheeks, making him look less like the overly serious guard he'd become and more like the young man she'd once raced through fields of wildflowers with.
“Now, let's get out of here, before that puffed up piece of donkey dung decides to come back.”
“Eloquently put, Your Highness.”
“Why, thank you, Alex.”
“You're most welcome, Your Highness.”
“You know, you could just call me Josselyn, or Joss even, at least when it's just the two of us.”
“That is very generous of you to say, Your Highness.”
“Not going to happen, is it?”
“I'm afraid it would not be appropriate, Your Highness.”
“Right. Of course not.” They stopped in front of the tower stairs. “I think I can manage from here. You're free to go.”
He dipped his head, stepping to the side and holding the stairwell door open. As she passed through the doorway, she paused, looking back over her shoulder.
“Knowing you're there is one of the only things helping me keep my temper in check. You're my rock, Alex. Thank you.”
His mouth lifted in a crooked grin. “I think I'd rather enjoy seeing you lose your temper on that bastard.”
Her laughter echoed off the walls of the stairwell as she headed up to her room, the tension from the last few days melting away with each step.
Chapter Four
Lady Merridale caught up with Josselyn after breakfast, going over every excruciating detail pertaining to the following week's ball. Breaking only for a brief luncheon, Josselyn could feel a headache creeping into her temples by mid afternoon.
“Do we really need to go over the guest list again, Aunt Merri? The invitations have already been sent, responses received, and place settings arranged.”
“The guest list is the most important part of this entire event. You need to be familiar with every single person in attendance.”
“I'm familiar enough. I know all of their names and where they're from. Can't I leave the rest to discover in person?”
Her aunt frowned, peering over the piece of parchment she'd been studying.
“Certainly not. This is your coming of age ball, Josselyn, and seeing as you're the crown princess of Eldour, you'll have the attention of every unmarried man in attendance. We need to go over the strongest
