A Dove's Tale

Chapter 13

I set the books beside me on the carriage seat, careful not to look at Prince Chevalier.

"Sorry for embarrassing you, your highness," I apologized, suddenly self-conscious. Besides the teasing from the other princes and my messy hair and dusting of powdered sugar, I also had dried blood and snot from the little boy on my apron.

"Is this how you normally behave at festivals?" he asked coolly.

"I don't normally go to festivals, your highness," I said, looking out the window.

"That may be for the best," he muttered. "You are an intolerable nuisance."

I didn't have a response to that. Though I'd done nothing wrong, it was easy enough to see that the attention I'd brought was not to his liking. He probably just wanted a few quiet moments at the bookseller's stall. I couldn't blame him for that. If I had my choice, I could've done with a little less drama myself. Especially that glimpse of those brown eyes. Just thinking about them made me shiver.

We rode in silence for a while, and then he spoke again.

"I'll have tea in the gardens. By the pond."

"Yes, your highness," I replied quietly.

"You may leave after that."

His tone wasn't especially harsh, but his words stung. I should have expected this. The head maid could probably have me reassigned to another prince, but it would be better for me to leave the palace entirely. Coming back would be too humiliating.

"Or you may stay and read for a while, if you'd prefer."

And prolong the agony? I shook my head.

"I'll leave, your highness."

His fingers caught my chin and turned me to face him.

"I expect you to be on time tomorrow morning."

He'd surprised me so many times today already, and he'd done it again. I looked into his icy blue eyes, trying to discern any hidden meaning.

"You're not firing me, Prince Chevalier?"

That rare smile played across his lips, though his eyes remained cold.

"You were no embarrassment." He released my chin and poked me in the forehead. "And you are far too fragile to be released back into the wild."

I blushed at that. "I do seem to attract trouble, don't I, your highness?"

"Indeed. Though your ability to charm any would-be predators is unparalleled."

"I don't know what you mean, Prince Chevalier," I said, looking back out the window.

"No, you don't." He paused for a moment. "You had a frightening experience when you were that child's age."

It wasn't a question; it was a statement. I nodded.

"What happened?"

"Some older kids beat me, your highness," I said quietly.

"Why?"

I shrugged. "They thought I was the bastard child of a prostitute, your highness. They didn't want me around."

He was silent for a few minutes, and then he said, "The food stall."

I bit my lip. He'd noticed. But of course he had. I'd practically jumped into his pocket when I saw those eyes. The severity of my reaction had been completely unnecessary and embarrassing. Maybe I'd been mistaken. Maybe that hadn't been the person I thought.