To Kill A Kingdom | ACOTAR ✔️

Chapter 5 - "Have I ever told you just how handsome you are?"

There had been an idea among her Court once all of their hostages had been killed with only a little information being retained from them. The idea was for herself and Macaria to go to Hybern. Macaria would approach her aunt and give the illusion she wishes to stand with her, and she'd get information that way. And Evette...she was gonna have to find Romulus, and see if she could get any information from him. Through charming him.

It was actually Valerian's idea.

At first, Evette was apprehensive about this whole thing because she had very little experience in being a spy - sort of. And she wasn't exactly sure she could even charm Romulus - the man had always hated her. The only time he hadn't really hated her was when he was pretending to be her cousin.

But she felt that she'd try for her kingdom. She'd try for information of the upcoming war. To see what exactly he knew in Hybern's moves and ideas.

Which was how she found herself to be sneaking through Hybern's streets in the dead of night. Macaria had been spying for a few days before her, and had gave her information on where Romulus would be, and when. Just so he could happen to come across her as she tried to spy.

Evette walked down a street, that housed the home of Octavius, and knew he'd turn the corner any second. And surely, when she reached his door and made a show of breaking in, did he turn the corner. "Hey!" Romulus called out, and she froze. "What are you doing?"

Evette turned and looked directly at him and ensured he was able to see her face, before she turned and took off running. She ran slower than usual as she needed him to catch up with her.

She had only gotten so far before a weight fell on top of her, as she hit the floor hard. Evette groaned in pain when she slammed to the floor on her side, not quite expecting him to tackle her to the floor. She was expecting him to grab her, if anything. Evette moved to lay on the floor on her back, and found Romulus was practically pinning her to the ground. "Gods, did you really have to do that?" Evette complained.

"What are you doing here, Evette?" Romulus asked her as he scowled down at her, his one blue eye glaring at her. "Breaking into general Octavius' old place, of all things."

"Perhaps I'm here to see you." Evette told him nonchalantly, as she stared up at him with a sweet smile. "Have I ever told you just how handsome you are?" She tilted her head to the side - she needed him to think she was here to spy and was trying to escape him - before she ran her eyes up and down him slowly.

"Now I definitely know you're here for something." Romulus told her. "But...please, do tell me, do you find me handsome? Or were you just evading?"

"You're handsome." Evette replied, before she moved to reach up for his face. However, before she could touch him, he grabbed her wrist tightly. "Does that displease you?" She asked before she looked to where he gripped her wrist with a raised brow.

"Don't touch me." Romulus warned her as he shoved her arm back at her.

"I suppose that answers my question." Evette mused.

"Can you blame me?" Romulus asked her. "After what I saw you do to Emory. I don't want your hands anywhere near me."

"Just my hands?"

Romulus narrowed his one eye at her, before he stood and dragged her up off of the floor with him. He kept a firm grip on her upper arm. "What other part would you put near me?" He asked her.

"What part do you want near you?" Evette asked him softly.

Romulus chuckled at her softly, shaking his head at her. "That's cute. But I'm not stupid, you know, Princess." He told her, purposely using the wrong title with her. "Though, mark me as flattered for even considering I hold any useful information you may use. You must really think highly of me to consider such a thing."