Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(52)
“Ah, so you are the famous lady that Prince Edward picked from a thousand girls!” She grabs my hand with evident enthusiasm. “Katriona, is it? May I call you Katriona? So lovely that we finally meet! I’ve been so curious about you since I read about your engagement in the papers.”
Simone continues to chatter until a photographer asks if he can take our picture. A flash goes off, and this time I don’t even flinch. I truly am getting used to my role as princess of Athelia—a role that I never expected I’d come to accept.
A few seconds later, I find myself facing a tall, broad-shouldered man who looks around thirty. Like Augustin, his mustache is impeccably curled and his clothes are crisp and new.
“Princess Katriona.” His mouth, which is already rather wide, seems to split his face in half as he grins. His voice is low and sensual, his touch on my hand like a caress, and his gaze remains on my face for such a long moment that I’m rather uncomfortable. “Have we met earlier? Your lovely face seems familiar.”
“I…don’t think so.” He is looking so closely at me that I wonder if I have something on my face. “Pardon me, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you before.”
“In that case, let me introduce myself. I am His Majesty’s one and only brother, Jér?me Victoire Emmanuel, Count di Corsica.” He kisses the back of my hand, and I have an urge to wipe my hand against my gown. “But call me Jér?me, please.”
“Jér?me,” Augustin says, apparently detecting my discomfort. “I haven’t yet introduced you to Lord Sunderland, who has expressed a wish to meet you.”
I’m glad when Jér?me is led away. While he hasn’t done anything that oversteps the bounds of propriety, I don’t understand why he’d be this drawn to me, especially with a stunning beauty like Simone present. What did he mean when he asked if we’ve met before? Maybe he was at one of the social events when I had my Season, but since I was only the overlooked Bradshaw sister, I didn’t have a chance to be introduced to him. Anyway, I just hope that I won’t have to interact with the emperor’s brother for the rest of the State Visit.
26
The State Visit passes in a flurry of excitement. Every event, from the military review, the Investiture, to the dinner parties, has been an eye-opening experience that I could never have participated in the modern world. Still, I’ll be glad when it’s over. Both Edward and I sleep for only a few hours these days. Maybe that accounts for why I often felt easily tired, especially in crowds.
The king and queen perform the major roles for most of the time. During the Investiture, for example, the king ties a blue ribbon on Augustin’s leg and declares him a Knight of the Highest Order. All I have to do is stand like a statue for a few hours, and try to look rapt and interested. Edward later tells me that he is also tempted to fidget and shout. For all his well-trained discipline, inside he is just like me, concealing a dislike for fussy rituals.
However, there is one occasion that Edward and I have to take the reins. Simone has expressed a desire to visit Fauxe, the most high-end pleasure garden in Athelia. A pleasure garden (I was later to remember I first heard of the term from Mr. Wellesley) is a venue for public entertainment. In the past, the king and queen have sometimes accompanied foreign guests to Fauxe Gardens, like local hosts showing the tourists around.
“Leon and I are wearied from the events running all day long, and would like to rest fully for tomorrow night’s ball,” the queen tells me. “The gardens will be more fun for you young people.”
Naturally we have to change again after dinner. After Mabel and Amelie fuss over my hair and gown and shoes, I enter the sitting room, where Edward is already lounging on the sofa, reading a letter. I don’t like keeping him waiting, but then he doesn’t have to lace himself into a corset.
“Change it.”
“Change what?”
“Your dress.” His gaze drops to my collarbone—I’m wearing an off-shoulder gown that reveals my shoulders, but barely any cleavage. “That brother of the emperor is going to be there, and I would not like his eyes on your bare skin.”
“Jér?me?” Since that uneasy introduction to the emperor’s brother, I’ve been wary of him, but so far he hasn’t done anything improper save for a few curious stares in my direction.
“Haven’t you seen how he was gazing at you?” Edward advances a step toward me. He is frowning, and I feel like teasing his mouth into a grin. “He is well known to be sexually promiscuous among the Moryn elite, and I’ve yet to hear of a Moryn elite who has less than a dozen mistresses or paramours.”
“I don’t really like how he looks at me either,” I confess. “But look at it objectively. There are many women at court who are single and prettier than me, so why would he want to flirt with me? Maybe he’s speculating how I came to be princess of Athelia. You know so many people, nobles and commoners included, have wondered why you chose me at the ball.”
“I doubt he would have the temerity to make a move on you, but nevertheless, remember that the Moryns are less inhibited when it comes to interacting with the opposite sex. Do not allow him to take advantage and then make excuses for him.”
I raise my hand, shaped into a fist. “Don’t you worry, Edward. I can defend myself if the need comes for it. He’ll never expect that a princess knows how to throw a punch.”