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“Why are we here?” she asked with caution.
“I noticed you don’t have much jewelry, other than your new bracelet, of course.” I nodded at it dangling on her wrist. “I thought you’d enjoy picking something new.”
“Here?”
“Of course. Find something you love and it’s yours.”
She started to speak, but shook her head, still shocked. I’d known her most of my life. She’d lived on the palace grounds since she was a child and we’d played together for most of our childhood. I found, in all those years, she was more than willing to speak her mind on any topic she’d researched. From foreign policy to which Power Ranger would win in a fight, Blair always had an opinion.
To render her speechless, that was a new achievement for me.
At first, she barely hovered near the displays that had been pulled out to tempt her. But after some time, she started trying on some of the pieces, happily engaging with the employees. She had a way of putting people at ease, something I’d always admired.
“Seriously,” she skimmed a set of rings with her fingers, “how did you know I would love this?”
“When we were kids, you loved to try on whatever royal jewels I could smuggle out of the throne room.” I glanced over my shoulder at the cameras and cleared my throat. “I mean, we loved playing like we were doing that. All pretend, of course.”
“Of course,” Blair added quickly.
“I mean, we basically grew up together, didn’t we?”
Blair laughed to herself. “Or at least near each other”
“I’ve always enjoyed your company. I hope you know that.”
“Yes, Your Highness, I know.”
Blair remained guarded as we walked through the shop. “Please, it’s just us. Call me Leo.”
“It’s not just us, Your Highness. It’s us, and the entire kingdom behind the lenses of the cameras that never leave.”
“For me,” I clarified, “you’re the only one who matters right now, and I insist. Call me Leo, at least for this afternoon.”
“I’ll try, Your Highness.” She corrected herself. “Leo.”
It felt normal when she used my name. Like this was a real date. “You’re a lady of court now. It will become natural.”
Blair didn’t say anything, but I noticed her flinch at the mention of the title. I didn’t want to sour things, so I left it alone.
She stopped to admire an emerald necklace, pretty but understated. When I said she could have anything, I planned for extravagance. If it were Chantal, she would simply ask what the most expensive item was and take that, but Blair had always been more thoughtful.
“May I ask you something?”
“Anything.” I’d always loved how comfortable our relationship had been, no games, no pretenses, just conversation.
She ran her fingers over a sapphire pendant but left it without so much as picking it up. “Why did you choose me? Why am I here?”
Though her question caught me off guard, it shouldn’t have. It wasn’t that I didn’t expect her to ask, more that I doubted her nerve. But it was Blair, and if there was one trait she had in spades, it was the courage to speak.
“I suppose,” I slowed my step and she stayed close, pretending to look over the selections draped over velvet cloths for her inspection, “when considering my options, I tried to think of individuals whose company I enjoy, and you’ve always been one of those. We’ve discussed difficult topics and have always stayed civil, even when we didn’t agree. You are well versed in current affairs and carry a perspective I appreciate.” I looked away, feeling the color rising to my cheeks. “It helps that you’re incredibly beautiful without trying.” I cleared my throat. “I heard Michaela lent her talents for the ceremony last night and I have to admit, she only enhanced the beauty I’ve seen all along.”
I dared a glance in her direction, feeling every bit a silly schoolboy for admitting my attraction to her. But when our eyes met, at least I knew it wasn’t one-sided. If nothing else, her coy smile told me she appreciated what I’d said. For once, I hadn’t mucked it all up.
“I was surprised to say the least.” Blair started walking along the counter again, trailing her fingers over the gems. “Not only because of me, but all of us. You kept so many.”
Her words didn’t register. “So many?”
She glanced back over her shoulder, eyes round with innocence. “The common girls. Me, Sadie, Eirene. Michaela as well since she holds no station. None of us have a chance, but—”
