Page 63 of His Royal Request

I looked at her guard and he gave a tiny smile. “Nice to meet you, Ma’am.”

He was quite handsome and had a bit more personality than Harrison. I liked him.

“Nice to meet you, Logan. I bet you’ve got some good stories about the princess, don’t you?”

He winked but didn’t say another word. Isla smacked my arm. “Don’t you dare even try. He signed an agreement.”

I looked back at him and saw his lips quiver like he was keeping in a laugh. I patted Isla’s hand wrapped around my arm. “Don’t worry.”

As we turned and walked down the hall, I looked over my shoulder. “We’ll talk later,” I whispered to Logan who continued to smirk while Isla pulled me forward.

I laughed and fell into step with her. “I’ve never seen you blush before,” I said the words under my breath so the guards couldn’t hear.

She groaned and hurried down the stairs as if she was trying to run away. I leaned into her. “You’ve got a crush, don’t you?”

She glared at me with tight lips and I smiled. I’d hit it on the head.

We approached a doorway I hadn’t seen open before. A red room waited. The floors were a red carpet with a delicate gold pattern woven through and the walls were covered with a rich, red wallpaper. Enormous portraits covered one wall while windows adorned the other side. A table, longer than the one from my first dinner here, was set for what looked like over fifty people. It was beautiful and overwhelming and already full of guests.

I took in a slow breath.

“You’ve got this.” Isla and I entered together but she was quickly swept away by a dozen people vying for her attention.

I felt vulnerable standing alone out in the open. I looked around for Aiden or Ronan. I would have taken Cian at this point, but couldn't find any of the princes.

A man wearing a white tuxedo jacket and black pants asked for us to take our seats and I wanted to kiss him for giving me a purpose. Isla went to the far side of the table so I looked for my name at the end closest to me. I was trying to be discreet but I knew I looked lost and confused.

“Charlie, dear, you’re over here.”

I looked up to see Aunt Evelyn smiling at me.

I hurried around the table and slid into the chair next to her. “Thank you so much.”

She patted my knee under the table. “Don’t show fear, they can smell it.”

I laughed then caught myself. “Isn’t this your family?”

She smiled slyly. “They are.”

Ah so if anyone had the right to make a comment like that, she did.

“Why aren’t you closer to the head table?” I asked her. “This is your daughter’s wedding.”

She gave me a look out of the side of her eye. “Why indeed?”

Huh, so there was underlying tension here. Wonderful. Isla mentioned the wedding planner hadn’t let them move me closer, so I had a feeling this planner wasn’t a fan of the bride’s parents either. Then why hire him or her?

I’d have to ask Isla or Aiden later since the first course was served.

I looked down at the fish, asparagus, and some unknown green structure with a frown.

There was no menu on the table explaining what I was looking at. I could only assume it was traditional Lochish cuisine.

“It’s halibut and a watercress mousse,” Evelyn whispered.

I hummed like I knew exactly what that meant. I looked up and realized I had an audience. Almost everyone opposite me was watching as if they’d made bets on my next move. Countess Wallace, Maribeth sat directly across from me. She smiled then lifted her fork with a tiny bite of halibut and the mouse.

I followed her lead and took a tiny bite. The instant it touched my tongue I wished the meal was over.