Page 35 of Glass Hearts
“Make sure her stepfamily doesn’t see you,”Sylas says as he walks away, straightening his tie.
“Here, let me grab your bag.”
“Nope. Sorry, my prince, but it would look particularly weird if you were carrying things for the help.”
“No, it won’t.” I lift her bag and leave, ending the argument. It displeases me how light her luggage is.
She follows alongside me with her hands behind her back. I wish she wouldn’t because it juts out her breasts just a little bit more.
First, we starve her, and now here I am ogling her. I am becoming a downright mongrel.
“I suppose I don’t get the actual tour still?” she jokes.
“Sorry, Sunshine, I want to. But the council will be pretty peeved if I show up late. I will make sure Bri gives you a proper tour. Have you ever worked in a kitchen or as waitstaff?”
“Not in the professional sense. I have always made all the meals, snacks, and beverages for my stepfamily. And of course, cleaned the kitchen and dishes.”
“That’s something I have wondered since meeting you. How did you ever manage to handle everything while also running around asThe Shadow?”
“Okay, don’t judge me… But my animal friends help me.” She giggles when she sees me trying to hold in my laughter. “Yes, it’s what you are thinking. From raccoons to birds to squirrels. They have always helped me because they love me, and I love them. Also, in exchange for their safety, but most importantly, my desserts.”
“You bake?”
“I love baking. I never got the chance to do it for my stepfamily, they are a bit more concerned with calories.” She tries to hide it, but I catch her eyes rolling.
“That doesn’t surprise me; your stepsisters are quite the characters.” She raises a delicate eyebrow at me, as if to say, ‘You’re only just noticing?’
“Yes, the Quadias can be quite the handful. I don’t know if it’s rude to ask, and if it is and you don’t want to answer, then let’s forget I asked…” Arabella wrings her hands, clearly her tell when she is nervous. Why is shesocute?
“Quadias? And of course, you can ask me anything, Sunshine.”
“It is a bit much to say all their names, let alone remember who is who. So, my best friend and I call them the Quadias, for simplicity’s sake. And…” She bites her plump, kissable lip. “Why did you end up adding them to the final courting list? It is not my place to get into royal politics, clearly, but I worry about them having power. Especially Bernice.”
I blow out an exhale and stop our stroll. We are getting to the servants’ quarters faster than expected, and I don’t want to stop our conversation. She is finally talking to me without diminishing her fire. I want more.
“It wasn’t our choice. The council had already had them added to the list prior.”
“Man, the council sure has a lot of say in your personal lives. That seems odd. You would think they work for you and not theother way around? I remember in school they said the council was started tosupportthe royals. Yes, to make sure villains stayed out of leadership roles, but also to ensure the royals had a happy and healthy life after the villain era. How does forcing you to take a bride factor in that if you aren’t too keen on finding a wife? Well… some of you.”
And fuck, is she ever right about that.
The villain era was a dark time in our history. Many of the leaders and royalty had all been villains. Whether it was because of an awful upbringing, their unhappiness, or their just being plain evil, they had to be stopped. So, a war was started to remove the villains from power. That went on for a decade and a half. To ensure power remained balanced, they created the council for the royals to use as a tool.Not to be ruled by.
“Sunshine, you have no idea how you just rocked my world with that. You are absolutely right. How is it that I have been in court all my life, and here you are shattering glass ceilings?” Arabella blushes a cute pink hue, looking down at her feet.
Uncomfortable with the praise. I will have to remedy that.
“I suppose being on the other side in an unbiased way can shed light on things.”
I drop her suitcase and take her small hands in mine. She is cold to the touch, yet her blushing cheeks seem to turn an even redder hue.
“Ella. Please always speak your mind to me. It has been so refreshing having you around. Would you have considered me if I had been able to court you?”
“Prince Koi—”
“Just Koi, Sunshine.”
“Koi.” She removes one of her hands from mine, placing it on my cheek. “Of course, I would have considered it. I admire the love you have for your people and your brothers. Plus, as if you need more of an ego boost, you aren’t so bad to look at.”
