After dinner, the party dissolves into dessert and dancing in the ballroom. Fionn and Gilroy disappear to apparently meet with specific assembly members at the prince’s request. I continue mingling with the crowd, occasionally stealing glances at my men, but mostly just enjoying socializing. I almost feel guilty for how long the evening’s festivities last, knowing the duke is a bit of a recluse, but I would not wish to offend anyone by retiring early. Plus, Fionn looks less tense now that he is engaged in more private and extended conversations. I relax too, thinking perhaps he is feeling a bit better.

Gilroy introduces him to Dutchess Aislinn and Sir Abban from the Branch of Building. I wonder if the prince has taken a special interest in that purview of the law, but Abban is the project manager for the Royal Library Architecture Project, so maybe he is just interested in talking about that unique section of our castle. I still have not received a full report from Gilroy about how their afternoon in the library went, but I assume well, based on the fact that Fionn specifically asked Gilroy to make introductions for him. As I watch the pair I notice their relaxed posture and steady conversation, which continues even after they leave one party to find the next.

I am a bit confused when I see them speaking with Countess Ogas and Marquess Lence. They are both Assemblers of the Branch of Children. Why on earth would Fionn be interested in meeting them specifically? I grow tense, wondering if Gilroy intends to introduce Fionn to the last member of that Branch. I almost groan aloud when Gilroy leads Fionn over to the aged duke already jovally engaged with fellow party-goers.

The three split off to speak privately, and now I am extremely distracted, studying Fionn’s facial expressions for any sign of displeasure or disgust. However, his ice face is too difficult to decode from up close, let alone from this distance. I only can hope Fionn isn’t as judgmental of the circumstances of Gil’s birth as some of the women trying to set him up tonight.

Of course, the ever pleasant Duke Ailin appears to be absolutely ecstatic speaking with Fionn. That is one thing Gil’s father and mine share: a propensity for smiles. The duke is like the extroverted version of the King, and no one dislikes him. Even his youthful dalliance with Gil’s mother and subsequent acceptance of Gil into his family is seen by most of the court as an act of true devotion to his first love. I’m probably worrying about nothing. The subject probably won’t even come up. I determine to ignore the pair, knowing I’ll worry enough about it later while staring at my bedroom ceiling.

However, as the evening progresses and Fionn stays glued to Duke Ailin’s side, my fretting picks back up. What could they possibly be speaking about for so long? Maybe I should just go over there and abandon socializing. I have been missing half of the conversations anyways due to my distraction.

I am just about to waltz up to the trio when I see a pretty little woman in black approach them.

“Shit,” I mutter. I pick up my pace intending to interrupt before the bitch can do any real damage. I grind my teeth as the future Dutchess flashes her sickenly sweet smile at Prince Fionn. Is it not enough that the spoiled brat gets to inherit the title and land that should rightfully be Gilroy’s? Now she has to flirt with my fiancé too? As I march right up the three nobles, I plaster on that princess decorum I’ve mastered over the years, masking my extreme dislike of Gilroy’s sister.

“Lady Sibeal, Duke Ailin,” I beam.

“Your Highness,” they chorused while dropping into low bows, although Sibeal’s lips are tight and twitching as she positively lours at me.

“Thank you so much for coming this evening,” I address Gil’s father, ignoring the vile woman in favor of my favorite duke. Honestly, how this gentle man before me ever produced that hag, I will never know.

“The pleasure is all ours,” Duke Ailin insists with his warm voice that sounds so much like Gilroy’s.

“I trust you have been keeping my prince well entertained?”

“Duke Ailin has been most informative and diverting,” Fionn interjects. “However, I regret to inform you, Advisor—” He turns to Gilroy, surprising me. “—your sister is a most unpleasant woman,” he says as casually as if he was discussing the weather.

I bite back a laugh, Gilroy and his father stare in stunned silence, but Sibeal merely sputters.

“Well, I never!” she huffs, before storming away from us.

“I apologize for my daughter’s rude behavior,” the older duke says quickly once he’s recovered.

“Your apology is unwarranted, Your Grace. It is quite clear to me that she did not inherit her talent for insulting her own kin while flirting with an engaged man from you,” he bites, startling another laugh out of me. His gaze flicks to me, but he doesn’t look upset, just confused. “You laugh quite a lot, Princess,” he deadpans.

“I’m just delighted by your assessment of Lady Sibeal. You have no idea how many times I’ve yearned for someone besides me to put her in her place,” I confess, then turn to Duke Ailin to add quickly. “No offense, Your Grace.”

“None taken, Your Highness,” he assures me. “Sibeal has reached that certain age when it is no longer a parent’s place to censure her. I must rely on the natural consequences of her actions to guide her now.”

His disparaging comment about his heir is only mildly surprising to me, as I secretly always suspected Duke Ailin was fed up with her behavior and just too kind to call her out. “Your wisdom is one of the many reasons why you are my favorite duke, Your Grace,” I gush.

He bellows a deep-throated laugh which crinkles his round, pudgy cheeks. “You flatter me, Your Highness, but it would be best not to let your fiancé hear you say that. Now, if you don’t mind, I think I shall retire for the evening. It is getting quite late and all this food makes old men like me quite sleepy.”

“I’m sorry for detaining you so late, Your Grace,” Fionn says to Ailin.

“Not at all, not at all, my boy. Do read those treaties I recommended and come to our meetings after you’re married. If you decide you like it, you can count on my vote.”

“I will, Your Grace, and thank you,” he bows slightly to the older man as Ailin bids me and Gil goodnight.

I can’t quite contain my burning curiosity as I turn on Fionn as soon as he is gone. “Are you thinking of joining the Branch of Children?”

The Prince raises a single eyebrow at me as if daring me to question him, but eventually he responds slowly with, “It… interests me. I would like to rotate through all ten Branches before making my final decision. I trust I can count on you, Advisor Ailin, to assist me in the proceedings as you did this morning?”

Gilroy blinks rapidly, obviously taken aback by Fionn’s request. “It would be my honor to serve you, Your Grace."

“Good. And perhaps tomorrow we can return to the library to pick up the books your father recommended. Also, something a little more comprehensive on Douburg law?”

At this point, I’m wondering if the man before me is the same one who said barely two words to me when we first met. He looks the same, his voice is still hard as ice, his expression serious, but rather than making him seem severe and aloof, it comes across as focused and assertive.

And fuck, it is hot. He oozes the kind of cool confidence that I would want dominating me in bed. Or that I would like to dominate. I want to break him so badly. See all that self-assurity crumble beneath my touch.

As my fantasies spiral, I don’t even notice Gilroy and Fionn moving the conversation forward. They look so good together. My mountain man and sunflower, side by side, like winter and summer.

I want to fuck them. Both of them. At the same time. And I have just the toy for it too, although I haven’t used it in months as most women don’t really like double penetration. The last girl I used it on was a total masochistic who wanted me to fuck her while Gilroy deep throated her. Pity she got pregnant and left the castle to live with her new husband. But I bet my prince would look ten times lovelier taking Gilroy in his pale pink lips.

“Does that work for you, Your Highness?” Gilroy interrupts my thoughts. I have no idea what they were talking about, but it hardly matters if Gilroy agrees.

“Yes, of course. I think that will work just fine,” I feign listening.

“See, I told you she wasn’t paying attention,” Gilroy fake whispers to Fionn.

“Gil!” my decorum slips as I slap his arm indignantly. “Traitor!”

“Abuse!” he accuses around a good-natured laugh.

Fionn brow shoots up at our childish display, and I quickly regain composure, slightly embarrassed by our playful banter. I smooth down my dress and will my beating heart to slow. “I beg your pardon, my Prince, for not being attentive. I was lost in thought for a moment," I justify weakly.

But Fionn surprises me with his reply, “There is no need to apologize, Princess. I too am often distracted by my own musings when in large crowds.”

I stare, wide eyed at the man who so easily confessed a weakness. Unless he does not believe it to be a weakness at all...

“May I inquire what you were thinking on?” he asks.

“I was wondering what Lady Sibeal said to you,” I lie.

He grimaces as his eyes dart from me to Gil. “Something to the effect of her being better company than her brother,” he growls.

“Yes,” I hum, “that sounds like her.”

“Is she a member of the Assembly?” he inquires.

“Good Aed, no! She would need the support of the King to be elected, but she sort of botched her chances by making her feelings about Gilroy abundantly clear several years ago.”

“She evidently did not inherit Duke Ailin’s intellect either. What fool would insult the Royal Advisor and by extension the Royal Family?”

“A resentful fool,” I agree. “She still uses her connections to my family to elevate herself in the Court, but she usually knows to stay out of my way. I guess she was hoping to curry favour with you.”

“I think she wanted more than simple curry,” he mumbles.

“My Prince! Did you just make a joke?” I tease.

"I beg your pardon, Princess, that comment was inappropriate for a lady's ears,” he grits.

“Not at all, I quite like it when you speak your mind,” I encourage. “Perhaps I could accompany you tomorrow when you visit the library again?”

“Yeah, that's what we were trying to ask, Sersh,” Gil laughs at me.

“Oh,” I blush.

“May I ask for this dance, Princess?” Prince Fionn suddenly blurts out.

I’m so astonished by the abrupt change of subject, it is not until Gilroy nudges me that I regain my composure.

“I would be honored,” I respond.