A Dove's Tale

Chapter 97

Before I met Theresa, shopping was just another chore. It wasn't fun, and it certainly couldn't occupy most of my day. I didn't have time to waste browsing for things I didn't need and couldn't afford. But shopping with Theresa before the gala was fun, even though we were shopping for the foreign princes, and the prospect of shopping with her and Belle had me smiling well before we reached the bookstore where Belle worked. I don't think I stopped smiling until Theresa and I returned to the palace just before dinner.

"Are you eating with the princes again?" Theresa asked as the carriage came to a stop.

"No," I said quickly. "I'll eat in my room."

The look she gave me told me she had something to say about that, but she held her tongue while we traversed the palace halls, with my guards following close behind. She'd been careful throughout the day to say nothing about Nokto in front of them, though she had made me recount the experience to Belle in the privacy of a dressing room. That led to a lot of blushing on my part and squealing on Belle's. Then they made me go into the next store by myself, and when I looked back and saw them jumping up and down outside the display glass, I knew Belle was now in on the secret. Whatever it was.

"You can't avoid Nokto forever," Theresa said as soon as she closed my bedroom door behind us.

"It's not just that," I said, heading across the room to open the curtains rather than looking at her. "He figured out Chevalier spent the night with me, and I don't know if any of the other princes found out, but I don't want to deal with them if they did."

"Fair enough," she said. The rustle of fabric behind me told me she was making the bed. "What do you want for dinner?"

"Whatever is available."

She laughed softly. "You know, princesses are supposed to be picky."

"Well, when you don't know where your next meal is coming from, you can't afford to be picky," I reminded her.

"Which is not a problem you'll ever have again," she reminded me. "So, relax on your cushy sofa or your luxurious balcony, and I'll be back with your dinner soon."

I opted for the balcony, which was indeed luxurious. The overhanging roof, joined by white supporting pillars to the white railing, provided shade from the sun at all hours, even this late spring afternoon when the sun was reluctant to reach the western horizon. Rose vines crawled up the railing from the gardens below and wound around the pillars, entwining along the underside of the roof and adding their fragrance to the air. I went to the railing and pulled my braid over my shoulder to undo the ribbon. Licht and Nokto were down by the pond. They weren't looking in my direction, but I felt a pang of guilt and turned away - straight into a solid chest. I gasped in surprise and stumbled back against the railing, my heart clamoring with sudden panic before I realized it was Chevalier catching my shoulders to steady me.

"Oh, Cheva-"

He interrupted me with a kiss that woke a swarm of butterflies within me, numbing the pang and muting the clamor. There was nothing except the feel of his lips on mine, the touch of his hands gliding down my arms, the fabric of his jacket under my fingers. It wasn't a deep, passionate kiss, but it wasn't just a peck, either. He wore a satisfied smirk when he pulled back. I couldn't even pretend to be mad.

"Have you ever heard of knocking?" I asked, smiling up at him.

"I knocked," he replied. "You didn't answer."

"That doesn't mean you can just barge into my room. What if I wasn't decent?"

The look in his crystal blue eyes made me regret that hypothetical question immediately. I felt the warmth rising in my cheeks, and I bit my lip, wishing I had more room to evade him. The nervous butterflies in my stomach didn't know if they were excited or scared.