Page 94 of Slippers and Thorns
He trailed his fingers along the spines of the books. Could it be?
And if so, how did he feel about it?
Shaking his head, he left the bookshelf behind and headed for his bedroom. He’d worry about it in the morning.
Every night for the next week, Michael’s room was miraculously organized, and a different surprise was sitting on the table next to his bed. He couldn’t deny the pattern was familiar, but he still couldn’t believe it. Arabella hadn’t said anything, nor had she left a note like she’d done before.
If it was her, wouldn’t she want to make sure he knew?
Helena hadn’t said anything, either, but then again, he still hadn’t managed much conversation with her. He understood where Father and Axel were coming from; it didn’t stop their conspiracy from being annoying.
“So, I’m handling the guild meeting after lunch – are you checking in with the captain of the royal guard after that, or am I?”
Michael lifted his head from his hand and looked through half-open eyes at his brother across the table. “I’m meeting with the economic advisor. If that finishes soon enough, I can meet with the captain, but I’m not sure I can count on that.”
“I’ll catch the captain, then.” Justin eyed him. “Are you okay, Michael? You look tired.”
Michael waved his hand dismissively. “Yeah. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Did he?
He slumped forward and rested his aching forehead on the table. “Not really. I already know what you’ll tell me. It’s the same thing Father or Mother or Axel would say if I asked them.”
“I notice you didn’t include Arabella in that list,” Justin remarked.
Michael just sighed.
He heard Justin shifting in his seat, and then something thunked on the table near his head. Lifting slightly off the table, he saw a bead necklace under Justin’s hand. “What’s that?”
“I think you know what the right thing is,” his brother told him seriously. “I know Helena was your childhood sweetheart and all, but I don’t get why you’re making this so hard.”
“Justin—”
Justin ignored him. “Frankly, I’m amazed your stupidity hasn’t already taken your relationship past the point of no return, but thankfully for all of us, your wife is much too good for you.” Michael gaped at his younger brother’s audacity. “When – and it had better bewhen– you come to your senses, you should make this part of your apology.”
“Why?” he asked, ignoring the rest for now.
Smiling fondly, Justin replied, “I was in the market with her the other day, and she was fingering it. Based on the merchant’s comments, it wasn’t the first time.”
“But why?” Michael repeated. “She has much finer jewelry.”
“I don’t know.” His little brother shrugged as he removed his hand. “But if you’d seen the look in her eyes, you would understand.”
Straightening up, Michael picked up the necklace and examined it. The beads were of colored glass and were threaded on a thin piece of leather. It was pretty and decently made, but he couldn’t see anything special about it.
“I don’t know if I should thank you or not,” he grumbled as he tucked it into a pocket. “That was quite the speech you just gave your older brother and future king.”
“I’m not worried.” Justin winked. “I’m your favorite little brother.”
“Only because you’re finally old enough to split the workload.” He hid his smile, but he knew Justin heard it anyway.
“See? You’ll never do anything to me,” Justin grinned back at him. “Otherwise, you’d have to start doing everything yourself again.”
Michael shoved his chair away from the table and pushed out of it with a slight groan. “And on that note, we should probably get started on it all.”
“Yes, sir,” Justin acknowledged with a mock salute. “See you at lunch!”
