The secretary gave Elise a dimpled smile before she left.Įlise stood and set about serving tea, pouring it with elegance and poise. “Your refreshments, Fürstin,” Gretta said, setting a tray laden with a three-person tea set and various treats on an end table another secretary brought in. “So you would seriously consider marriage? Not to the Loire Pig Prince of course, but to a suitable candidate?”Įlise was spared from replying as her secretary, Gretta, arrived with the tea. “Gabi is gone for the day, and she took her dratted cat with her. “Gabrielle wouldn’t hear you out?” Falk asked, referring to Steffen’s wife, Princess Gabrielle. “I wanted someone to complain to,” Steffen said. “So what was the purpose of storming my office to inform me of this development? Since you have already sent a refusal on my behalf, I don’t have much to do with the matter,” Elise said. He’s still set on coming after us,” Steffen continued. Some of Mikk’s undercover men heard more rumors of Prince Lucien’s warmongering. My suitor could pay for it as the bride price,” Elise said, dipping her quill into an inkwell of tar black ink. But the north wall of the castle needs repairing, and it’s going to be costly. “Why? You are not one to demand luxuries.” I told him I would never forgive him if he married me off to someone poor.” “You’ve spoken to Father about marriage?” Falk asked, straightening up in his chair. “It is not so much that I am ready, but more that I cannot avoid the duty much longer. It is the right age for suitors to express interest,” she said, copying down numbers. “I merely think it is a little early for you to marry.”Įlise went back to her accounts. You’re a princess all the way through,” Steffen said, his lips reforming into the usual smile. “You think I am unmarriageable, Steffen? Or do you doubt anyone would want to marry the foster daughter of the King of Arcainia?”
Steffen rolled his eyes and found a chair under a precariously balanced stack of books, which he set on the ground before making himself comfortable.Įlise cleared her throat after the interchange was over. He stared at Falk, who was sitting in the only free chair in the room, perched near Elise.įalk stared back at Steffen and made a shooing motion. “But that is all that surprises you? I was shocked to receive the offer at all,” Steffen said, looking around for a chair. If they do not have proof right now, I imagine they will shortly-those Rangers the Loire princes play around with are just as good as Mikk’s sneaks.” Even though the plan failed, they must know we financed the attempt.
“Not to mention you hired an assassin guild to kill one of the princes.
It is unanticipated that Loire’s King would choose Prince Lucien’s bride-the future queen of Loire-to come from such a place,” Elise said, making a tally mark on some parchment. As far as Loire knows, we are nothing but a small, powerless neighbor.
0 kommentar(er)
