Page 29 of The Queen's Crown
She turned and spotted Axel striding out onto the balcony along with a man who looked strikingly similar, but his brown hair was a little longer. That had to be Anton, Axel’s twin brother. Anton was similarly dressed as Axel, though he wore red instead of cream. Sabine didn’t understand why they wore tunics as jackets with the front open, exposing their chests. Even though she’d seen her brothers shirtless on occasion, she’d never observed a man outside of her family like that. At least they were both pleasant to look at—though she didn’t want either of them to know she thought that.
Averting her eyes, she noticed a beautiful young woman behind them wearing a bright purple outfit that exposed her bare stomach. The skirt had two long slits, revealing her tanned legs. The woman’s shoulders were bare, and her brown hair lay in soft waves down her back. Like her brothers, she had dark brown eyes and a squared face. She had to be their younger sister, Lottie.
Sabine blinked, feeling out of sorts. She’d never seen a woman dress like that before, revealing so much skin. Not knowing where to look, she tried to keep her focus on the three siblings’ handsome faces.
Axel quickly made the introductions, confirming her assessment as to who each of these individuals were.
“It’s late, and I’m sure you’re hungry. Let’s all take a seat at the table.” Axel placed his hand on Sabine’s lower back, ushering her inside. “It’s a shame my brother isn’t here to greet you.”
“Where is the king?” Sabine asked, wondering why Axel felt the need to touch her. Even if it was a Lynk thing, it wasn’t a Bakley custom and it made her feel even more out of sorts.
“He’s investigating your sister’s murder.” Axel pulled out a chair for Sabine.
She slid onto it. “Didn’t the murder happen here at the palace?”
A handful of servants entered, bringing trays upon trays of food, setting them all on the table before leaving.
“Yes,” Axel finally answered. “However, he wanted to speak to a few people who have a special skill set and can possibly help in the matter.” He waved his hand in the air as if that explained everything.
“How was your journey to the palace?” Lottie asked, tilting her head to the side as she spoke.
Sabine wanted to look at Lottie when she answered, but she found it hard to face the woman considering she barely had any clothes on. Focusing on Lottie’s forehead, she replied, “Other than my carriage being attacked, it was uneventful.”
“Either someone really hates your family,” Anton said, “or someone desperately doesn’t want Lynk and Bakley to form an alliance.” He lifted his goblet and took a drink of his wine.
The siblings began helping themselves to the food, so Sabine did the same. The meat appeared to be some sort of fish. There were also small pieces of white stuff that was sticky and clumpy—she had no idea what it was—and cooked carrots.
“Luckily for us,” Anton said, “we have our dear, older brother to investigate and figure it out all on his own. He doesn’t need his family to do anything.”
Sabine sensed the sarcasm in his voice and was immediately on edge. “Are there any suspects?”
“I am sure my brother has a list,” Axel said with a wink. “You’ll have to discuss the matter with him since he is handling it.”
“Is that a traditional mourning gown worn in your kingdom?” Lottie asked, abruptly changing the subject.
“No,” Sabine answered. “In Bakley, this is proper attire for supper.” All her life, she thought her family prudes for being so modest and making sure to have their arms and necks always covered. She’d been the one to push the boundaries by exposing a little bit of her neckline or perhaps an inch from her gloves to her sleeves. Here, in Lynk, it seemed that modesty didn’t exist and now Sabine was the prude. How the tables had turned. “I understand that this is not your fashion. However, is this not appropriate?”
Lottie raised her eyebrows and looked at Axel.
Sabine faced Axel, awaiting his answer.
“Well,” he replied, “there’s nothing wrong with what you’re wearing but…well, what would your family say if Lottie showed up for supper dressed as she is?”
“They’d be horrified,” Sabine admitted.
“Why?”
“Because it’s not appropriate attire in Bakley.”
“The answer is the same,” he said.
So it was more than just not being in fashion, she realized. It had to do with offending the people here. Since she was in a foreign land, she needed to abide by their customs—no matter how crazy they may seem to be.
“I can help by showing you our proper attire,” Lottie offered.
“I would like that,” Sabine replied, touched by Lottie’s kindness.
Anton drummed his fingers on the table. “I don’t think we should announce the princess’s presence until Rainer returns.”
