A Beast's Tale

Chapter 8

I told myself I wasn't looking forward to going to the library. I told myself this was just a convenient routine that allowed me to unwind for a few hours every day. The maid had nothing to do with it.

And then I walked through the library door and saw her smile.

It wasn't for me. She was talking to the librarian, who had shown up for work today. But it was the first time I'd seen a genuine smile from her, and it was radiant. It lit up her green eyes and outshone the afternoon sunlight pouring through the western windows. Though she was beautiful when she was angry, her vivid fury paled compared to her vibrant joy.

Her smile faltered when she saw me.

I said nothing, striding toward the back room like any other day, and I heard her excusing herself from their conversation to fetch my tea. She asked the librarian if he wanted a cup. He assented, and she left with a perky promise to return in a few minutes. I heard the smile in her voice.

Let her smile at him. What did it matter to me?

I selected a book from my collection and claimed my chair. When I bent my head to read, a clump of damp blonde bangs fell in my eyes. I brushed my hair back and leaned back in my chair, rolling my shoulders with a sigh. I hadn't allowed myself to soak in the bath long enough for my muscles to relax. Licht kept asking for a rematch, and I finally had to put a stop to the sparring when he couldn't regain his footing without assistance. He always pushed himself too far.

He and Nokto. It was annoying how little they cared about their own health.

I returned to the book. A few minutes later, the door opened, and she set a cup of tea on the end table.

"Prince Chevalier?"

I looked up from my book. She had taken her usual step back and folded her hands in front of her, but they were fidgeting with each other. "What is it?"

"My mother's birthday is coming up a week from today, and Prince Yves has agreed to help me make beignets that afternoon—with your permission, Your Highness."

I should have known. Rather than remain in the city and incite chaos there, Clavis had returned to the palace and his new favorite toy: her.

That irritated me.

"So, it isn't enough for you to wait for trouble to come. Now you seek it out, is that right?"

She frowned. "I'm not looking for any trouble, Your Highness. If you won't allow it, I'd just like to let Prince Yves know as soon as possible. He said he would clear his afternoon that day, and I don't want to inconvenience him unnecessarily."

"Clearly I'm not keeping you busy enough if you have time to meet with other princes."

"Not at all, Your Highness. This happened during my lunch break. I was trying to read, but Prince Clavis found me and offered me a tour of the gardens."

"And like a foolish little dove, you trusted him."

She sighed. "No, Your Highness, I didn't, but I'll admit I wanted to see the gardens. I've had no reason to visit them before. We met Prince Yves while we were there, and baking came up when we were talking. That's all."

It sounded harmless enough, which meant Clavis had put his troublesome energy to use elsewhere. He might have used her as a distraction while he set a trap for Yves.

"No, that isn't all. Clavis left you alone with the Showoff at one point, didn't he?"

"If by 'the Showoff' you mean Prince Yves, yes, but not for long. With all due respect, Your Highness, this happened on my lunch break, which is my personal time. I shouldn't have to tell you every detail."