Page 24 of Bride of the Gilded Prince

I licked my lips. “We just felt like it.”

Emre playfully narrowed his eyes. “That’s not a good enough reason.”

Souhir and I glanced at each other. I could tell she was thinking the same thing I was. We might as well tell them the truth.

“We had a formal event,” I said. “And we didn’t want to stand out.”

Emre’s eyes brightened up. “What event?”

Aatif, the head of the department, raised a bushy eyebrow. “The one from the Caid?”

“Yes, the one from the Caid,” Souhir confirmed.

“You two look like you’re going to a wedding,” someone else said.

The mood brightened as they laughed and made fun of our clothing. We joined in, laughing at ourselves. It felt good to let loose and relax after the stress of the event.

Souhir tried to defend our choice of clothing. “It’s not that bad.”

But as everyone wore amused expressions, she admitted defeat and we all burst into laughter again.

“They’ve invited my sister as well. She went yesterday,” Aatif added.

I glanced at him. His cheeks were flushed, and he had a bright smile on his face. “How did it go?”

“Horrible. I don’t believe she made a good first impression. But that’s not what she intended.”

Emre stopped and an old man with a cane in his hand bumped into him. The old man muttered as Emre lowered his head to apologize to him, before focusing his attention on me again.

“Why were you invited?”

“Didn’t you hear?” someone else asked. “The Elvish prince is looking for a wife.”

His eyes widened in surprise. “Yes, but didn’t you tell me it would be the Caid’s daughter?”

Putting the slipping scarf back in place, I sighed. “I assumed it. I’m not his advisor.”

His forehead puckered. “So, what you’re saying is that anyone could be the prince’s wife?”

I fiddled with my bracelets. “Yes, I suppose so.”

“They’re looking for the perfect bride.” Aatif shoved his hands in his pockets. “I feel terrible for her already.”

Emre sighed. “The Elves can be overbearing. And there’s also lady Kanna, a major and beloved figure in court. The future bride will have to deal with her and all eyes will be on them.”

“How do you know this?” Souhir asked.

News of the Eternal Court reached even the most remote places. But slow. A Werewolf knowing this before anyone else did was surprising.

“I have my sources.” Emre winked, which made the group laugh.

He might not be an Elf, but he sure seemed to know a lot about them.

“I’ve been to the Aeglire before. I only spent a few minutes there, but it was enough to get a sense of the place.”

Emre didn’t look like he had the political connections to be invited to the court, but I knew better than to ask. It was best not to pry into a Werewolf’s business.

I glanced at him. “Did you meet the prince?”

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