Page 36 of The King's Man 3

“Do it?”

“Anything that keeps you alive. Even if it means throwing this away a thousand times.”

My breath catches; he drops his hand, and clears his throat. “We need money.”

“For our journey.”

“To get your love token back.”

I brighten. “Best brother-in-law ever.”

I go in for a hug and he palms my forehead to stop me. “Eat your breakfast while I think.”

“Don’t forget to calculate that we’ve only one more night here.”

“Mm.”

I finish my bread and tea and interrupt a pensive Quin again. “How about we make some fun out of this?”

“Fun?”

“See who can make the most in a day?”

“I’d prefer you to stay indoors. Out of sight, of vespertines or your former intended.”

“Quin—”

“You won’t agree to it, I know.” Unhappiness and resignation flicker across his face, but he soon shakes it off. He sits me on a cushion before him and reaches towards my hair; my hand instinctively flies to my head.

He murmurs. “Braiding. Not undoing.”

Right. Of course.

I slowly drop my hand and my scalp tickles as he plaits a long silver ribbon into my hair. The ancient custom of grieving. “Mourning robes aren’t enough?”

“Mourning robes are typical in bigger towns, the capital and royal city. In the country, these older traditions are still prominent.”

“I like that you understand the cultural nuances of your kingdom.”

“Trust me, I’m putting that to good use today.”

“Oh?”

“Keep still.” He steers my face away from him, towards the window, and his fingers flutter through my hair.

I murmur, “This feels... nice. I could go back to sleep.” After a pause, the ticklish touches continue, and so do I. “Have you ever worn a ribbon like this before?”

“Mm.”

“When your father passed away?”

“For him, I wore mourning robes. I wore the ribbon when he was still alive. For three months prior to my wedding, begging him to let me choose for myself.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thankfully, Veronica and I understand one another.”

I tip my head back and eye him. “She wants you both to find your own happiness.”

---