Page 47 of Songs and Spun Gold
A snort almost broke through Axel’s concern. Otto’s descriptions were always succinct and unflattering, but they were also accurate. “Lord Ulrich. He’s been on the council since before I was born.” He tapped his thigh with his free hand as he turned his shoulder forward to stunt the effects of another gust of wind. “Have you told anyone else?”
Otto scoffed, his eyes roving once more. “What would I tell them? ‘I saw a man who sets off all my danger signals, so I think we should arrest him for walking down the city streets’?”
“Hmm. I can see how that wouldn’t accomplish much,” Axel mused.
“Therefore, all I can do is keep myself extra vigilant andtry,” he glared in Axel’s direction, “to keep you unremarkable so I have a better chance of spotting him before he notices you.”
“Sorry,” Axel replied. He let a little sheepishness leak onto his face. “That’s why you’re not in uniform, isn’t it?”
Otto gave him a sharp nod. “And taking the liberty of walking next to you. Two friends out for a stroll hide better than a young man with a personal guard or servant.”
Axel opened his mouth to protest that it wasn’t a liberty, but then he closed it again. He’d been far too lax the last few months; he might not care if Otto walked next to him, but the perfect prince his father expected him to be would.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Since Axel had stayed for breakfast, the wide streets were busier than he was used to when returning home after a morning jaunt. However, he was still invisible with his simple cloak.
“What have you been brooding about?” Otto asked suddenly. “It’s unlike you.”
“Oh?” Axel looked up with slightly upturned lips. Drat.
“Visibly, at least,” Otto amended. His tone wasn’t even curious. How did one professionally inquire into another’s mood?
Chuckling, Axel replied, “Are you accusingmeof masking my emotions? My friend, everyone knows that I am as free with my emotions as the wind.”
“My cousin Kat wears her heart in her eyes,” Otto responded simply. It was odd to carry on a conversation with someone looking away the entire time, Axel mused idly as he watched the other man continue to scan the area. “You only pretend to.”
He felt his face freeze for a moment before recovering from the unexpected observation. Letting out a heartfelt sigh, he said, “I must confess that you are correct about the brooding. ’Tis because of a maiden who haunts my thoughts. Clearly, because I cannot even keep them from spilling over in the presence ofmy guard.”
“The girl from the theater?”
“Alas, yes.” He pressed a hand over his heart – on the outside of his cloak, of course, since the effect was lost if it wasn’t visible. “The one who broke my heart because she desired me only for my title.”
Otto’s eyes paused on him briefly. “Is that what happened?” Axel nodded mournfully. “In that case, why are you still pursuing her?”
“Pardon?” Axel’s eyebrows flew up. “Who has told you that I am pursuing her?”
“Isn’t that why you’re brooding? Because your father wouldn’t let you go to Reineggburg?”
Puckering his lips, he asked, “How do you know about that?”
“Servants have ears, and they like to talk,” Otto responded. “I also have ears, and I like to listen.”
“Be that as it may, I’m not sure I see the connection between that fact and your insinuations.”
To his surprise, Otto grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop. Perhaps Otto felt comfortable relaxing his watchfulness since they were almost within sight of the castle, but suddenly Axel found himself the recipient of his guard’s full focus. The man’s blue eyes were intense as he stared the prince down. “I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t pursue her unless you’re going to fight for her. She doesn’t deserve to have her heart broken again because your father says no and you just accept it.”
“What?”
“If you hurt her…” The guard trailed off, letting his tone and intense stare fill in his meaning.
“Are we talking about Heidi?” Axel asked with a short laugh. It came out more nervous than he had intended.
“If that’s the girl you’ve been pining after.”
“I wasn’t aware you were familiar with her.” He gave his arm a subtle tug.
Otto released him and took a step back, turning away. “Whether I am or not, she doesn’t deserve it.”
Axel blinked at his back for a few seconds. That had been…unexpected. Finally, he began walking toward the last turn again. Otto fell into step next to him.
