A Dove's Tale

Chapter 154

One week until Chevalier's birthday. One week.

And I still didn't have a present for him.

I stared sightlessly at the snow-covered scenery outside the carriage window, reviewing everything in my head. The orchestra, the banquet, the theme for the decorations, the guest list—I'd arranged it all, and I had a new appreciation for what Sariel did every day. The guest list, in particular, had been a headache. This wasn't an event that warranted inviting the entire kingdom, so I had to pick and choose, and I had to formulate a polite, acceptable apology for those who didn't make the list. And deliver it. Over and over and over again.

It had been much easier to come up with an escape plan for Chevalier and me to leave the party early. That part of his birthday celebration was really for the kingdom, not Chevalier. I knew the quiet dinner I had planned for the two of us in his private library was the part he would enjoy.

Of course, that was also the part where I was supposed to give him a present.

What could I give a king who had an entire country at his fingertips?

"Ivetta," breathed a voice directly in my ear.

I gasped and jumped in my seat. Clavis burst out laughing behind me. I spun to glare at him, including the two red-heads sitting across from me for good measure. Theresa had her hand over her mouth, amusement dancing in her green eyes, and Cyran, Clavis' right-hand man, wasn't doing any better at hiding his mirth.

"Very funny," I said dryly. "You all switched seats."

"Well, you weren't answering me before," Clavis reasoned, grinning unapologetically. "Now, what is so important that you would ignore your handsome and gracious host who is escorting you personally to his fabulous estate, which, by the way, is far superior to every other estate in Rhodolite in every way?"

Cyran rolled his eyes. "You're so humble."

"Thank you," Clavis said smugly.

Theresa dropped her hand from her mouth and smirked at me. "I bet I can guess. You're still stuck about Chevalier's present, aren't you? Why don't you just get him a book and be done with it?"

"Because I always get him a new book whenever I see one he doesn't have," I replied. "And this is his birthday. The present needs to be special."

"Hm. That's concerning," Clavis said, frowning.

I glanced over at Theresa and Cyran. She shook her head, and he shrugged. "What is?" I asked Clavis.

He sighed heavily. "Let me explain something to you, Ivetta. Chev doesn't like parties. He's not big on birthdays, and he doesn't care about presents. But you've wasted the last three weeks planning a birthday party for him, and now, you're wasting an entire carriage ride across a beautiful winter landscape with the very best of company trying to think of the perfect gift for a man who already has what he wants. It's just sad, really. And I can't let it continue."

Cyran groaned and put his head in his hands.

"Fortunately for you," Clavis continued brightly, "I already planned every detail of this trip down to the minute, so you won't even have time to think about Chev."

"Every minute?" I repeated nervously, glancing over at Theresa and Cyran again.

"If he says 'every minute,' he means 'every minute,'" Cyran confirmed without lifting his head. "Sorry, Princess."

"And we're here!"

The early snow lent its own beauty to any setting, but the blanket of white also hid what were probably elaborate gardens, sculptures, and other assorted lavish decorations standard with the wealthiest estates around Rhodolite. I did my best to show adequate appreciation as the carriage rolled down the drive, although my mind was still wandering. This visit to Clavis' estate, and the part of Rhodolite under his governance, made me nervous. I'd been acutely aware of his special attention toward me ever since that surprise breakfast in bed, and I knew this couldn't remain unspoken and unresolved for much longer. He was starting to make me uncomfortable.