Rowan frowned in dissatisfaction after the servants had left. While it was a serviceable enough desk, his mate ought to have the very best that the palace could provide. He looked over at where Alyssa was standing, wondering what was going through her mind. Was she irritated that he had arranged everything for her without consulting her? Would she rather have been somewhere else instead of in a study dealing with matters that didn't concern her? Taking a deep breath, he offered quietly, "We can change anything you wish or if you've changed your mind, I can escort you back to your rooms."
Instead of answering him, she looked around his study, her expression thoughtful. He fought down the urge to fidget, wishing irritably that he had somehow had time to brighten it up before bringing her here. However, he really hadn't planned for the day to go like this, any of it. However, when she turned her attention back to him, her expression was warm and content. She shook her head and said, "No, this is more than adequate, thank you. I was just looking around, pardon my inattention."
He felt his anxiety ease a notch and he smiled at her. After all, he was the prince of the country and he had many things to oversee. If his mate found his study comfortable or welcoming, there was a higher chance that she'd be willing to visit or spend time with him there. He debated for a second whether that would be a good thing before pushing it aside as unimportant for the moment. "Not at all. Please, feel free to make yourself at home here. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. It can most likely be procured with little to no trouble."
Even if it was hard to procure, he would find a way. After all, that's why he insisted upon surrounding himself with competent people. If he or they couldn't manage to supply what she required, then it would be a poor showing indeed. A hint of humor seemed to sparkle in her eyes, distracting him, but she just shook her head and made her way over to the desk. He hoped that she would share what she had found amusing, but she simply said, "I'm sure that everything is excellent and doubt that there will be anything lacking. But thank you for your kind offer. When is your first meeting?"
He glanced at the clock, mentally cursing when he saw the time. His schedule was packed with boring meetings today, which meant that he would have very little time alone with his mate. How was he supposed to woo her if his schedule never gave him any time to breathe, let alone have a conversation of any length? Reminding himself that he would be accompanying her back to Anaria in just a few days and they would be able to spend more time together then, he held onto his patience with both hands. Resigning himself to the inevitable, he said wryly, "In just a few minutes, actually. But there is still more than enough time to get you settled comfortably. I'm sure that you have your own way of laying things out, everyone who works at a desk for any time at all ends up creating a system. And if you oversaw the trading for Anaria, I'm sure that you spent a fair amount of time at a desk."
She smiled at that and he knew instantly that she was well acquainted with the frustration of being tied to a desk when one wanted to do other things. The hint of common ground helped ease his frustration and he watched as she sat, sweeping her dress gracefully out of the way as she sat. Fondness filled her voice, "Yes, I've spent a fair amount of time at a desk. And it's true, about developing a system. I still can't find anything on Claude's desk without having to get Marissa's help."
Suddenly realizing that he was staring at her, he did not want to make her uncomfortable, he forced himself to move away from her over to his desk. Suddenly, her words sank in. Claude? Who was Claude and why was there such fondness when she spoke of him? Was her heart perhaps already inclined towards someone? He fought to keep his voice level and free of jealousy when he asked, "Claude? Is that your steward, perhaps?"
A steward would have been with her family for a long time, which would account for any fondness that she felt towards him, right?
Still, he got the distinct impression that she saw right through his facade when she looked away and carefully started laying out supplies, her voice holding only the tiniest bit of humor as she answered. "No, my eldest brother. He's two years older than me and heir to Anaria and its lordship. A strong leader, one who will lead Anaria well especially with his mate's help. But still, he could use some help with his filing system. If it weren't for Lloyd and Marissa, we'd never be able to make head or tails out of it when he's not there."
Relief flooded him, which he immediately pushed aside. He had not been jealous over someone that he didn't even know. It was only natural that she would be fond of her sibling, especially if they were only two years apart in age. He glanced at the clock and sighed, digging out a large pile of documents that he would need for today. Why had he lined up all this useless work again? Oh, that's right. Because he'd been an idiot and thought that he wouldn't find his mate, so that things would go back to usual. And in his hubris, he hadn't even allowed for the fact that he might actually find his mate and need some time to get to know her. He was an idiot.
To distract himself from his self-loathing, he sought for something to draw attention away from his momentary jealousy. He blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "And Marissa is Claude's mate? Do you have more siblings than just Lord Claude?"
She looked surprised when he asked that and he kicked himself. He'd been so focused on his mate that he hadn't bothered to look at the rest of her family. She was probably thinking that he was ten kinds of an idiot. After all, what sort of prince didn't know about the nobles and people under his rule? However, before she could speak, there was a loud knock on the door. He scowled, the clock had just hit the hour. Why couldn't they have been just a few minutes late for once?
However, the warmth in her voice was unmistakable as she said quickly, "I'll tell you later."
Hiding his surprise, he sighed and raked a hand through his hair. Unable to keep the frustration from his voice, he promised, "I'll hold you to that."
Turning his attention to the door, he raised his voice and shouted for whoever was knocking to enter. It was Eric and Kiran that entered and he bit back another sigh. That was right, he'd told them that he needed to see them first thing to here reports on the incident of the night before. He hesitated, glancing at Alyssa, before crushing the urge to send her from the room so that she wouldn't have to hear the report about the attack. He had the feeling that his mate would not be pleased at all by that form of protection and would most likely be tempted to pluck his feathers in retaliation.
She hadn't cried or been shaken last night over the event and she had remained calm this morning even after she had had time to reconsider events. Even when speaking about it with his father, she had remained calm and composed. She was most likely able to deal with this subject just fine. Still, he would keep a close eye on her and if she appeared to be distressed, he would table the discussion for a later date and his people would just have to understand.
Instead of seeming surprised by Alyssa's presence, Eric seemed pleased to see her, ignoring Rowan entirely and making a beeline straight for her. "Good day, Milady. It's good to see you looking well after that unfortunate incident last night."
Rowan rolled his eyes, and of course, Eric had to open his mouth and shove his foot directly into it. What was he thinking, bringing that up right away? He'd been in the room for less than a minute, had he even looked to see if she was traumatized by the event or not? But his mate once again surprised him, smiling warmly at Eric. Not only that, but amusement laced her words as she answered kindly, "That was rather distasteful, wasn't it? But I was still able to get a good night's sleep and Rowan has been quite generous with his time this morning, although I'm sure that he had many duties that he needed to tend to."
Rowan wanted to protest, she was the most important thing by far, but Eric beat him to it. "Why should he worry about dull meetings and all that gibber-jabbering when he has such a lovely lady to court? Time well spent, I think. Eh, Kiran?"
Rowan stiffened at that. Kiran did not like the women in Rowan's life. Well, woman. He and Angelina had been in a cold war for the past eight months. There was nothing that Rowan had been able to do, Kiran had remained perfectly polite if icy to Angelina while Angelina had refused to engage as he was nothing more than a mere lackey, her words, not his. But if Kiran decided to go against Alyssa, he would have to deal with Rowan this time.
He could see Kiran's disdain for the task in his slow walk over to the desk, although his expression remained perfectly neutral. "I am Kiran West, chief aide to Prince Rowan. Greetings, Princess Candidate Lady Alyssa. I am sorry to hear of your rough introduction to the palace. Such a thing should've never happened."
Rowan clenched his hands under his desk. How dare Kiran imply that there was anyone else besides Alyssa? But before he could demand that his aide leave, Alyssa straightened slightly, her expression becoming serene even as she got a determined look in her eye. "It is truly disheartening to see the disdain that someone has for the laws of this land, Sir Kiran. However, I trust that Rowan and those who work with him will see the matter fully sorted out and justice served. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, I am Lady Alyssa of Anaria. Are you perhaps related to the West family of the countship of Kelnar?"
The surprise on Kiran's face was minute, but coming from him, it was as good as a shout of shock. Unclenching his hands, Rowan sat back and decided to wait a moment to see how this played out.
Kiran recovered quickly and asked, "The current count is my father. May I inquire as to how you know my family?"
She smiled politely, but Rowan could see the satisfaction in her eyes. She had rattled Kiran and she knew it. She continued politely, "Countess Iris and I have corresponded the past few years on some trivial matters. A most impressive woman, your mother. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom from our acquaintance."
Now, that was surprising. Countess Iris was a genius and he had begged her after his mother had passed to come to the palace and serve as his advisor. However, she had said that she was too old to serve as the advisor to the prince and had sent Kiran in her stead. Kiran had proven to be an invaluable asset, but both of them still frequently consulted her on important matters. If she and Alyssa had been corresponding, it hadn't been for trivial matters like Alyssa had said. The countess did not waste her time on trivial or banal matters. It made the mystery of his mate all that much more intriguing.
Rowan could tell that Kiran was curious as well, his expression thoughtful as he bowed again. "I am sure that she will be pleased to hear that you hold her in such high regard. Now, I regret the necessity, but the captain and I require Prince Rowan's attention for some necessary matters."
She nodded graciously but Rowan had the feeling that she was laughing inwardly. "Of course, Sir Kiran. Please pass my greetings to the countess next time you write. Good day, Sir, Captain."
With that, the two males who were here for a meeting with him finally managed to drag themselves away from his mate and walk over to his desk. Alyssa immediately put her head down and started writing, apparently dismissing all three males immediately from her thoughts.
The other two glanced over at the scratch of quill on parchment and Rowan snapped, "If you two would kindly stop staring at my mate and give me your attention? I thought that we were meeting today to answer the question of how an assassin managed to infiltrate the palace and go after my mate."
His words were laced with ice and he knew that his expression was hard because it was mirrored by the two men standing in front of him. What had happened last night was something that would never, ever happen again. Now or ever.
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