The King's Inamorata (A Queen's Tale #1)

Thin Ice

"I apologize for this taking so long," Lukas said. "But I wanted to make sure your suite was the grandest in the entire palace."

Vivia modestly tilted her head at him. "Luc..."

Before she could protest, Lukas seized the bronze handles on the pastel blue doors and pushed them open. Vivia's breath caught and he watched as he eyes widened to take everything in. She rushed inside but stopped at the threshold, as if frightened to walk any further. He had the entire room painted in colors he knew she'd love; pale blues to remind her of the sky in Canta, yellow like the fields of grain, hints of green, and a plush red carpet. Ornate designs were painted in silver across the walls, the molding, and the window frames. The curtains were drawn where she had a view of the edge of the cliff the palace was on, and the garden right outside her balcony.

She moved from the main living area to her bedroom, where a massive bed and veil sat on an elevated dais. There was a large vanity with a mirror and it was covered in cosmetics, hair products, and lotions and oils for her skin. She had a massive wardrobe, a nightstand, and two doors in her bedroom--one that led to her private washroom and the other to her walk in closet where rows upon rows of the loveliest gowns in Novena hung to be worn by only her.

There was a niche in the wall concealed by two doors and Lukas went into his pocket for the key. He waved her over as he went to open it. "These are your royal jewels."

The doors swung upon to reveal shelves of boxes and displays with all the royal jewels befitting the fiancee of a Crown Prince. They were hers now, and when she would become his Queen she would things even grander still. He removed a dainty tiara from its pillow and walked over to her.

She stood near her window, frozen in her place. He wasn't sure if she was going to cry or laugh. Was she happy? Was it not enough? Was she displeased? It suddenly became so hard to read her. 

He gently set the tiara on her head of wild curls, careful not to get her hair caught in any of the jewels. "You will now be referred to as Her Excellency Sperata Vivia. I think it looks rather lovely on you. It doesn't make your forehead look so big."

He was right. She was laughing and crying. "This is too much for me."

"Nonsense," he insisted. He caught sight of the painting on the far right wall and sprinted. "I almost forgot."

He gently pushed against the massive painting while pulling the sconce on the wall. With a gently click the wall swung open. "It's a passage way."

Vivia walked over and stuck her head in. "To where?"

"My room is to the left and the emergency exit is to the right. I had this entire end of the palace rebuilt and rearranged because I wanted you to be close to me. If you ever need me, you can always visit me at night. This way, no one need ever find out." he pushed the sconce back up and the panel closed. "I know how being alone at night frightens you sometimes. No matter how innocent it may be for us, we cannot share the same room. It'll cause an awful scandal and the people of Court are quick to shred a woman to pieces. Especially an outsider like you."

She swallowed. "I see."

Before he could tell Vivia his last piece of goodness a door opened and slammed shut somewhere in her suite. The fierce clicking of someone's heels told him that it was none other than--

"Agna DeVilliard," she said with a flourish of her hands. "At your service!"

Vivia let out a gasp and ran to embrace her best friend. "Agna! Where have you been?"

"In the room next door!" she laughed infectiously. "Luc has me close to you, lest you miss me too much."

Vivia turned back and smiled at him. Before she could say anything, Agna was pulling her away.

"You simply must see my room!" Agna was squealing. "There's a chandelier!"

                                                                                               ***

Hesman Novena placed a glass of wine on the table in front of his brother, as their silver gazes met. "There's something off about that girl."

Evander let out a deep chuckle as he took his glass and lifted it to his lips. Hesman went to make sure the door was closed and that the servants had been dismissed. He didn't need the Crown Prince catching wind of the conversation that was about to ensue.

"The only thing off about that girl is that she isn't your type at all, and yet you've found yourself completely smitten with her after one encounter," Evander stated. "If I were you, I'd be wise to keep my feelings to myself."

Hesman scoffed as he collapsed into a velvet chair. "Don't be ridiculous, she reeks of peasants' blood."

A delighted smirk danced across Evander's lips as he waved his glass at his brother. "It's no use lying to me. I saw the way you looked at her." he sighed. "All I'm saying is that you should be careful. Luc is extremely territorial. And you and I both know that Father will side with him this time."

Hesman steadied his gaze. "There's something off about her. I felt it in my bones the moment she walked into the room."

Evander emptied his glass and rose from the table. "Tread carefully," he said. "Lukas loves her and the ice between the two of you is extremely thin."

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So sorry for the short chapter! But on the bright side Wednesday is my last final! Yay!

QOTC: Favorite boy name?

AOTC: One of many is William

XOXO Lilly