A Dove's Tale

Chapter 51

A red-haired soldier stood across the room, his back to the door, leaning over Prince Clavis' desk to study the many notes tacked to the wall. He turned around when I entered and scowled at Prince Clavis, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You're getting her involved?" he asked accusingly.

Prince Clavis shut the door behind us and guided me to the sofa. "Manners, Cyran. A lady is present."

Cyran rolled his eyes and blew out a sigh. "Sorry," he said to me. "Ivetta, right? If you want to slap him again, I'll hold him still for you. Or I can punch him for you."

I looked from him to Prince Clavis and back. "You two are pretty close, I take it."

"We go way back," Prince Clavis said, leaning back against the sofa and draping his arm around my shoulders. "All the way to Bloodstained Rose Day, in fact."

My eyes widened in recognition. "You were an Obsidianite soldier?" I asked Cyran.

"I would have been safer if I stuck with Obsidian," he replied, the corner of his lip twitching as he tried to hide his smile. "Clavis is a disaster."

"Oh, you know you love me," Prince Clavis said lightly. "Almost as much as she does. Speaking of which, it's in poor taste to keep secrets from your lover. You wouldn't want to hurt my feelings, would you, Ivetta?" he asked, turning his sparkling golden eyes on me.

"I'm not your lover, but I don't want you doing something stupid, either," I replied flatly.

Cyran laughed. "Too late for that. Look, he won't let you leave until you tell him what he wants, but I'll make sure he doesn't get in too much trouble, okay?"

I liked this guy.

"Okay. I guess I'll have to take your word for it," I said, smiling reluctantly.

"You'll take his word over mine?" Prince Clavis asked, feigning offense.

"Do you want to hear this or not?" I retorted.

"You're right. What horrible assignment did Marge give you for the goodwill gala?"

"The foreign princes. Prince Silvio, Prince Keith, and Prince Gilbert."

The smile froze on Prince Clavis' face. Cyran groaned and slumped back against the wall, putting his face in his hands.

"Clavis..."

"Hush," Prince Clavis said, waving a dismissive hand at Cyran. "I need to think."

"No, you don't," I said firmly. "I'm not leaving Mother, and Marge dislikes me enough without you telling her to change my assignment."

"She's just envious of what we have," Prince Clavis said lightly. "I should probably be more worried about her once Chev finds out about this."

"And I don't want you going behind Prince Chevalier's back to do anything, either," I added.

"Me? Go behind his back? Whatever makes you think I'd do that?"

"Clavis, this isn't the time to be joking," Cyran grumbled.

"This is exactly the time to be joking," Prince Clavis replied. "A smile forces you to feel better. So, keep smiling, Ivetta," he said, poking my cheek lightly, "and leave Gil to me. I bet that cake's ready now."

"Cake? I thought you wanted her to keep smiling," Cyran muttered.

Prince Clavis leaped to his feet and offered me his hand. "Don't listen to him. He's just jealous of my culinary aptitude."

"And what about-"

"I'll be back in less than an hour," Prince Clavis interrupted Cyran, pulling me to my feet as I reluctantly took his hand. "Sorry to have to cut our date short, Ivetta, but such is the life of your handsome prince."