Page 19 of Destiny Redeemed
My eyes fell on the painting in the corner. Of course! Why hadn’t I thought of it before? Founding Day was coming up soon—a grand event with the entire court in attendance. If I could convince the Queen to wear the dress for the celebration…
I barely entered the room and sank onto the plush bed when I heard a knock at the door.
Amelia was still showing me the room. So, she went to check the door.
“Lady Ilyana?” Amelia called. “His Highness, Prince Anderic, requests a moment of your time.”
My fingers traced the intricate embroidery on the duvet. Anderic? Here? Now?
I didn’t even think of the devil. Why did he show up?
I jumped up from the bed, my feet carrying me toward the door before my mind caught up. Halfway there, I froze.Why am I running to see him like some lovesick idiot?
Taking a deep breath, I smoothed my skirts and continued at a dignified pace. By the time I reached the doorway, my face was a mask of cool indifference. My racing heart, however, refused to cooperate with the charade.
Anderic stood in the hallway, resplendent in royal blue that made his golden curls gleam in the afternoon light. Lady Amelia hovered nearby, pretending to examine a vase while clearly hanging on our every word.
“Lady Ilyana.” He bowed, a slight smile playing on his lips. “You look well.”
“Your Highness.” I curtsied, keeping my voice neutral. “To what do I owe this… unexpected pleasure?”
“I was hoping you might join me for a walk in the gardens. There are matters we need to discuss.”
Heat crept up my neck as memories of our encounters in the garden flooded back. Where was he when I waited for him to speak to me after that night? Nowhere to be found, that’s where.
This hurts my ego too much since I even admitted to myself that I had some kind of feelings for Anderic.
Not to mention,he would sooner or later fall for Rosalind anyway. I had no chance.
“I must respectfully decline, Your Highness.” I smiled with poisonous sweetness. “Perhaps another time.”
“Oooor,” he drawled, eyes dancing with mischief, “we could talk right here.” The emphasis he placed on ‘here’ made my stomach flip.
I glanced at Lady Amelia, who wasn’t even pretending not to watch anymore. When our eyes met, she flashed me an angelic smile that wouldn’t have fooled a blind man.
Wonderful. By dinner, the Queen will hear all about this little scene.I could already imagine the knowing looks and the subtle questions about my relationship with her son. No, better to control the narrative.
“On second thought,” I said, matching his saccharine tone, “a walk sounds lovely.”
Satisfaction gleamed in those impossibly blue eyes as he extended his hand. “Shall we?”
I stared at his offered palm, remembering how those elegant fingers had traced my jaw that night.
Ugh, stop it.
As soon as we were out of sight and reached the garden, I dropped his hand like it was burning coal and quickly crossed my arms.There. Let’s see you try to hold my hand now, you insufferable royal prick.
The garden stretched before us, a masterpiece of perfectly trimmed hedges and blooming roses. The late summer air was thick with their heady scent. We walked in silence, my frustration mounting with each step, while Anderic strolled beside me as if we were taking a pleasant afternoon stroll.
Then he started whistling.
Whistling.As if this whole situation wasn’t insufferable enough, the jaunty tune grated on my already frayed nerves.
“Would Your Highness care to share what was so urgent we needed to discuss?” I finally snapped, unable to bear another moment of his infuriating nonchalance.
He stopped walking and turned to face me, all traces of playfulness gone. “Would you like to explain again why you left the palace without informing me?”
“Inform you?” I laughed, the sound sharp and brittle. “What does it matter to His Highness where I go? After all, you’ve made it abundantly clear that I mean nothing to you. It’s not as if you ever came to find me or talk to me.”
