Page 95 of The Queen's Crown
“My wife tells me you will make a good queen,” he said, peering at her. “I will admit, I’ve had my doubts. But she has spent time with you; I have not. Plus, King Rainer seems to think you are what this kingdom needs.”
Sabine kept her mouth shut. She wasn’t sure where he was going with this.
“As the commander of the Lynk army, I serve the king…and the queen. I will be first in line to pledge my loyalty to you during the coronation.”
Shock rippled through her. She hadn’t expected him to make such a declaration. “Thank you. When I’m crowned queen, you have my word that I will always put Lynk first. Everything I do will be for this kingdom.” She hoped he heard the sincerity in her words.
He nodded. “I’m glad to hear it.”
The song came to an end.
“Thank you for the honor of the dance,” Felix said with a bow.
The night wore on. Sabine danced with one person after another. Since everyone wore masks, she often had no idea who she was dancing with. These functions had been much more fun in Bakley when she didn’t have an important role to play. She could dance with whomever she wanted and sneak away to a dark corner for some gossip.
As the night wore on, she became parched. Fearful she’d never have a break to get a drink, she excused herself from her current partner before the song ended and hurried over to the drink table situated off to the side. It was filled with wine and ale. Needing some water, she left the throne room, finding her guards just outside of it.
“Your Highness,” one of the guards said, “is something the matter?”
“I am in need of a drink of water.”
“I will go directly to the kitchen myself to fetch it. Please wait here.” He bowed and then hurried away.
Thankful for the break, she leaned against the nearby wall, just out of sight in case anyone exited the throne room or came this way. The last thing she wanted was someone dragging her back in there for another dance. However, she made sure to remain in full view of her guards.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. It was quiet out here in the hallway. Peaceful.
“Princess, your water.”
She opened her eyes and took the cup. “Thank you.”
The guard turned and joined her other guards not far away.
Movement caught her attention, and she glanced down toward the other end of the hallway. A man dressed in black walked past, his cape floating behind him. He turned his head and grinned—his smile the only thing visible with his mask on. He had to be one of the guests at the ball. And then he stepped out of sight.
Goosebumps covered her skin, though the air remained warm.
Needing to make another appearance at the ball, she finished off her water and handed the cup to one of her guards. She’d go back in, dance to a few songs, and then slip away, unnoticed. She just needed an hour or so to search the rooms the Avoni delegation was staying in. That should be more than enough time to snoop around to see if she could learn anything of importance.
When she returned to the throne room, a man immediately stepped in front of her, requesting the next dance. Based upon his black outfit and simple mask, he had to be from Avoni.
Sabine agreed, and the man gently took her hand. They began dancing. Even with the mask on, she could tell he was an older man, in his forties, based upon the lines around his mouth and the dark spots on his hands.
“How are you liking Lynk?” she asked, wanting to make some polite conversation.
“It is too hot and humid for my taste,” he replied, guiding her toward the edge of the room, on the fringe of those dancing.
“It is rather humid here,” she agreed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
The corners of his lips rose. “That is because I didn’t give one.”
“Do you have a title I can use?” His evasiveness made her uneasy. Not only that, but she was a princess and outranked him. When she asked for a name, he needed to give it.
He peered around before leaning closer to her and whispering, “If it’s money your family needs, there are other kingdoms with the means to assist you.”
It was a good thing no one was nearby to overhear this conversation. When she’d first agreed to dance with the man, she’d hoped to learn a thing or two about Avoni. Not once did she consider it going this way.
“My family does not need money,” she replied. “Besides, the contract has been signed. It cannot be broken.” Although, thinking it over, if Bakley had more money, they could afford to fund a larger army. But her father had never seen the need. Regardless, at a time like this, having extra resources would help.
