Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(42)

“Aim for soft targets like the eye or neck,” I say. “Don’t underestimate the fingertips. They can be surprisingly effective.”

I show him the move, but when my fingers brush over his eyes, I pause. In the dim light, up close, there are distinct dark circles under his eyes. It occurs to me that every morning, no matter how soon I am dressed, he is always waiting in our sitting room, reading the paper, ready to go down to breakfast.

“Edward. How early are you getting up each day?”

“It is of little importance.”

“If you don’t tell me, I’m going to lie awake all night to find out. Yes, don’t look amused—I will be able to stay awake, if only to find out when you go to bed.”

He sighs. “All right. Five, or six, if you really want to know.”

“And when do you go to bed?” I narrow my eyes. Our nightly talks usually don’t last past midnight, but I doubt he goes straight to bed after we finish.

Edward looks away. “Recently, we have been handling more issues than usual. It’s the height of the Season right now, and Parliament is anxious to deal with as much as possible before it’s over.”

“The public health acts you’ve been working on with Henry? Such as that Food and Drugs Act?”

He raises an eyebrow. “You knew already?”

“Elle told me. Anyway, you should be going to bed earlier,” I say, doing a good imitation of Mom when she found me staying up the day before my SATs. “Really, there is no need for us to sit up so late every night. It’s far more important that you take care of yourself.”

“I want to spend more time with you,” he insists. “Don’t worry about me. The Season will be over soon. It is no hardship to sit here and talk to you. For me, it’s an opportunity to relax and be entertained.”

I recognize the same desperation in his tone from that day when we quarreled. Like, if he doesn’t grasp this chance to make me fall for him, then I’ll go home once Krev comes back.

I change the topic, but at the same time, I also make a decision. A highly unconventional, unheard-of move that might get me kicked out of the palace if I weren’t the princess.





20





Edward is barely visible behind a mountain of paperwork when I barge into his office on the other side of the palace. As expected, he looks astonished when my flat soles click on the marble floor, the sound fading into dull thuds when I step on a carpet embroidered with intricate patterns and the royal coat of arms.

“What are you doing here?” He darts a glance behind me, and his eyes widen. “Why is he with you?”

I grin and beckon to the person following me. “Over here, Bertram. Right next to His Highness’s desk.”

Bertram gives Edward a she-made-me-do-it look before setting a handsome desk carved of polished oak, with golden handles for the drawers, on the floor, along with a matching chair. I produce a cloth from a basket I’m carrying and proceed to wipe the desk and chair.

Frantic footsteps pound outside, and the chamberlain bursts into the room, bristling, the ends of his finely curled mustache pointing in the air.

“Princess Katriona! So, the servants weren’t lying when they talked of you entering the prince’s office with a . . . a table and chair?” He mops his forehead with a large handkerchief. “May I inquire the reason for this extraordinary transgression?”

“I decided my husband could use some assistance.” I set the basket on the desk and take out pens, paper, and a few books.

The poor chamberlain almost chokes as he speaks. “A–assistance, Your Highness? But you shouldn’t be here!”

I pick up one of the books and flip through the pages. “I’ve checked the rules of the royal household. There isn’t a rule that says the princess can’t work in the same office with the prince.”

“This isn’t child’s play!”

“I’m not a child. Anyway, I promise you that the door will remain open. We won’t be up to anything depraved in here.”

Edward raises an eyebrow, but he doesn’t speak.

I finish unpacking my basket. “Excuse me, lord chamberlain.” I look him squarely in the eye and raise my voice. “Didn’t you tell me that a woman’s place is by her husband’s side?”

For an entirety of three seconds, the chamberlain is speechless. Then he stomps off, muttering about since when did Athelia get such an unconventional princess. I slide into my seat, unable to stop grinning. The look on his face was priceless. And oh, how satisfying it is to throw his words in his face.

“Kat.” Edward pushes back his chair. “What are you doing?”

“Settling into my new routine.”

“Allow me to rephrase that. What are you planning? What is this new routine you speak of?”

“Well.” I flash him a cheeky grin. “You’ve been working yourself to death with all those social problems. I’m bored because there is no Internet—I mean, I have little to do apart from raiding the library. So, I decided I would keep you company instead. Or, should I say, lessen your workload.”

Edward stares at me, dumbfounded. “Elaborate.”

“I took the liberty of going through some of the papers you’ve been working on.” I spread my hands. “I’ve got a college education in literature, and I took some classes in economics and social studies. I could help you summarize documents, look up resources, and proofread your writing. Besides, before we married, we had worked together to improve the lives of our citizens. I could be your sounding board. Throw me out if you’d like, but we’re not having those nightly talks anymore. You must rest.”