[Here is the rest of the chapter, stubbed per character limit.]

The silence seems to make him feel awkward, because he suddenly adds, “I cannot help but find myself quite impressed by you.”

“Oh,” I squeak shyly. Fuck, I’m turning red again, aren’t I? He probably thinks this is my natural color.

He takes my hands in his, and I’m so surprised by the action, I don’t even have time to worry about how incredibly sweaty my palms probably are right now. “I want to know more about you,” he says. His soft eyes search mine for reciprocation.

Oh, is he . . . Wait, seriously? Am I . . . being courted by Leon Viridia right now? And why does that make me feel like I’m going to have a panic attack?

I know why. It’s because I have shit to do. Important shit. More important than this. . . . But maybe I deserve a little treat too, right? A reward for caring so much about this place? My fingers find their way between his until they’re intertwined. Now he’s the one blushing. Omg, I’m making Leon Viridia blush. A win is a win is a win is a . . .

A thought enters my head, one that cuts through my giddy excitement and sours the nice fluttering in my chest, pinning the wings of the happy butterflies down.

I can use this.

No, no, no. I’m becoming an actual fucking politician now. The guy I like likes me back, and I’m thinking about how I can use that to my advantage. But the thought is too loud to be ignored, too important not for me to say it.

“Can I ask you something?” I say as shyly as possible. I’m cute. I’m curious. I’m not manipulating him.

“Anything,” he chokes out. I blink in surprise. Damn, dude is this happy about just holding hands? It almost gives me the ick. But then I look at his pretty face and innocent smile and I’m un-icked instantly. Well, I guess he’s always been the perfect prince, so this might actually be his first time doing anything like this. It’s sweet, actually.

Doesn’t matter right now though. Because I’m killing the vibe. I steel myself for what I’m about to do. I’m killing the vibe I’ve wanted since this whole thing started. And I’m doing it for you, stupid, stupid Martin. And for you, annoying, stupid Alvione. I lean in and whisper, “Viridia has always had a good relationship with those who use magic.” I pause and take a deep breath, ignoring the way Leon’s head tilts cutely in obvious confusion at the sudden change in direction that the conversation has taken. “Have you ever heard of Alistria Okuta?”