Page 15 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“So, are you going to sit here frowning, or are you going to go talk to her?”

Regulus forced his face to relax. He felt uncomfortably warm. “I’m not frowning.”

“You’re always frowning.” Drez gestured in Adelaide’s direction. “Go. You gave your word.”

“Hmph.” But he stood and walked toward where Adelaide stood near the dais. He kept his word. And he owed Dresden.

Regulus was acutely aware of the nobles watching him and whispering as he passed. He swallowed back the urge to leave. If only she weren’t standing at the head of the room. To his relief, she stepped over toward the corner after ending her conversation with an older couple.

Adelaide stared up at a stained-glass window with a floral vine design. With the sun set, the details of the design were difficult to see. Flickering orange light from a nearby tall iron candelabra reflected in the glasswork, but that didn’t seem worthy of her undivided attention. Perhaps she didn’t want to talk to anyone. He glanced at Dresden, who held up his hands as if askingwhat are you waiting for?

“Lady Belanger?”

She turned toward him and smiled. Athim. Like she waspleased.“Oh. Lord Arrano. Or is it Lord Hargreaves? I...um...thank you. For saving my scarf.” She blushed and waved the end of the scarf in his direction, looking about as awkward as he felt. He smiled in amusement.

A little flirtingwouldplease Drez...

“Of course. And it’s Hargreaves. I’m just lord of Arrano estate.” Regulus cleared his throat. “Your recite...reciting...you have a lovely voice for recitation.”Oh, this is going smoothly.He clasped his hands behind his back. Sweat tickled his neck. “One of the loveliest things I’ve ever heard.”

She blinked. “One of? I’ve already had four people tell me it was the most beautiful thing they’ve had the pleasure of hearing.”

Regulus glanced away. For once, he wished he knew how to talk like the nobles.

Adelaide laughed. “Of course, every one of them was lying.”

He looked back at her and furrowed his brow, surprised both by her relaxed laughter and her bluntness.

“I mean, really. The way some people go on, you would suppose I was an angel, which is ridiculous. So. What was it, then?” She pulled her scarf up over her shoulders.

“What was what?” His mind raced to catch up, still stuck on the possibility of Adelaide being an angel.

“The most beautiful sound you’ve ever heard?”

He paused. He didn’t need to consider the answer, but whether or not to share. “It’s a long story, but laughing while crying. Joy overpowering sorrow.” He stared into the distance. “I’ll never forget that sound. The relief, the happiness. That’s what I think freedom sounds like.”

“That’s...beautiful.” She looked thoughtful, her lips turned up in a slight smile. For a moment, they just looked at each other.

“So...” He laughed nervously.So what, Regulus! Where were you going with this?Why couldn’t he think straight?This is your fault, Drez.

“My father and mother laughing.”

He blinked. “What?”

“The most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. My parents giggling like newly-weds when they don’t know anyone is around. Because it’s the sound of how much they love each other. It sounds like freedom—not caring what anyone else thinks.” She glanced away, then studied the scarf in her hands.

“My father met my mother when he was away, fighting in the Trade War. His first wife had died a couple years prior. I’m glad they found each other.” Adelaide looked up at him, a stray curl of hair falling over her eye. She watched him as if weighing his reaction. “Whenever my stepsiblings or snobbish nobles look down on my mother because she’s the daughter of a traveling merchant from Khastalland, that sound gives me hope. None of that matters to my parents.”

Regulus’ heart lurched in sympathy. “The nobles, they can be...” He trailed off before he said something he would regret. “People matter more than lineages. What’s the point in judging someone for something they can’t control?”

“You sound like you mean that.” She tilted her head, her brows knit in contemplation and a slight smile on her pink lips.

“Of course...”Ah. She doesn’t know what I am.How to tell her? Perhaps, of all people, she wouldn’t judge him for his bastardy. But a rich merchant’s daughter was a far cry from an unwed serving girl.

Adelaide pulled her scarf tighter around her shoulders. “Earlier today I was complaining no one ever says anything interesting, and certainly never anything true, at these parties. I’m glad to be wrong.”

He smiled, searching for something to say to keep the conversation going—and interesting, even though part of his brain warned him not to go getting attached. He couldn’t court her, regardless of what Dresden said.Right?But he was actually enjoying himself for once. “Your mother is Khastallander?”

“Yes.” Adelaide’s face clouded.

---