The Aureate Affairs, page 18
I slipped my hands into my lap, clasping them nervously together. I remembered to sit stock straight and met his gaze confidently, albeit silently. I had nothing to say yet everything to respond with. I held my tongue, which went against every natural part of my soul, and fuck, how dreadful.
“You are a very rare woman, Mina,” Theo stated, lifting his wine glass to me and taking a sip.
I ignored the heat rushing up my neck, the sudden spur of terror driving through my veins at the term he used to describe me. Duval, Giselle, and now Theo had all called me rare. I was fucked. I really was. He couldn’t know. He can’t. He means my manners, not…not the very ruin of me if he learned of my illegal identity.
I took a careful, collected breath in through my nose and slowly let it out the same.
“You normally have a quick remark,” he implied, setting down his glass. He wanted me to be honest, outright in my responses. The complete opposite of everything Duval had trained me not to be like anymore.
What were the fucking odds?
I forced a smile, looking across the table at him, still in awe that I was dining with royalty.
“I’m afraid I am not one to bask in compliments, Theo. They leave me rather disquiet…”
His chuckle reverberated up into the dome ceiling. “Utterly remarkable. I should not have ever come across another maiden ill-advised against flattery.”
I looked down in my lap, praying this dinner would end soon. I knew better. Life was not fair to me. The prince believed me to be one of a kind, and if I knew anything of men from my tutorials, especially high society gentlemen, it was that they coveted the very best of everything. Including women. Being the belle of the ball, as Theo had called me, and now displaying a captivating character he greatly admired, I knew I was doomed to remain here forever.
I had indeed hooked the Prince of Vérmethia.
I picked up my fork and took a small bite, chewing carefully and daintily. Theo allowed us to eat in silence for the remainder of the entrée. At first, I was relieved–hell, fucking grateful so I could receive some nourishment and regather my wits. But as our plates were taken away, I saw a look in the prince’s eyes.
Concern.
It was the exact same look as Sawyer…no, wait, was Theo not also worried about me in the gardens? Fuck, why did they confuse me so? But I would not let the weakness of my current mindset and aching head win out over the cunning and vile Prince Theo. I had to remember he was courting me along with over three dozen other girls.
Soon, they would woo him with their feminine wiles, fortunes, and advanced levels of flattery and flirting. No man could ignore the most accomplished of ladies, even if they were not outspoken as I was.
I wiped my mouth carefully and gazed over at Theo as I lowered the napkin, making myself “fight” not to smirk.
“Have you sufficed in your curiosity of me already, Theo?”
He smirked in return as he finished his wine and swallowed before saying, “Not at all. I simply did not wish to interrupt the main course with chit-chat. The cooks are far too talented not to enjoy every bite of the meals they make for me.”
“Indeed,” I agreed, keeping eye contact.
Theo stared back, a cheeky grin forming on his mouth. He clasped his hands together, elbows on the table. Neither of us backed down for a solid minute.
“Theo…” I said in warning, albeit a forced flirtation type of warning.
His smirk deepened, “Mina?”
I mimicked his stance with my own arms, speaking low and coyly, “You are already aware of my defiance in this regard.”
He made a warm “Mmm” sound in agreement.
I hated how my body flushed at how sensual this all felt. I had never flirted like this, or in any form, with a man before, let alone a prince.
But I would not be seen as a damsel any longer.
“Then why do you bait me so?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He chuckled and ran a hand over his clean-shaven jaw. “Forgive me. I must admit I–” There it was again. The spellbound look. “I am quite taken by your notion to meet a stare so confidently, Mina. I find I am often hypnotized by it–by you.”
Duval truly deserved all the credit he was known for; the great esteem carried in whispers along with his name. His tutelage had thrust me to first place in Theo’s eyes at a stroke.
The heat rising to my cheeks was no foolery from his words. I touched them with the backs of my hands, casting my eyes finally down.
“Is the lady blushing?” Theo asked in surprise, but I heard the teasing behind it too.
Fuck. You can do this, Mina. You can do it.
Destitution or this.
“I—”
My gaze lifted to Theo’s once more, and for a moment, I did find him very handsome, a nice face to look at across the table. But in my mind’s eye, all I could see–and wish to be in the company of instead–was Sawyer.
The pause worked to my advantage. Theo pinched his eyebrows in worry over my hesitation.
I cleared my throat, laughing under my breath at my “blunder.”
“Please forgive me. This is all…” I “struggled” to find the right words.
“Please,” Theo said warmly, gesturing with a suave hand. “Speak plainly, Mina. My promise to you still stands and always shall.”
Always.
I felt a cold sweat break out behind my neck at what was surely a premonition of my future with that word. But I sighed and shifted in my seat, purposely giving the illusion that I was mustering the courage to say, “Where I came from, I was never seen or treated any different than the other peasants. Now, coming to Chaulôn, and the attention I received at the ball…”
I lifted my eyelids chastely to look at Theo.
“From you…I must tell you that I did not lie when I said it was all quite overwhelming. This is truly the first time I should have to become accustomed to the fervor of male attention, Your Highness.”
“Theo,” he clarified instantly, but I watched as his features transformed with my “secret.” Not the true secret I kept from him, but hopefully, this diverted him off the scent.
I looked at him pointedly. “Again, you must understand. I have only ever known to call anyone of the opposite sex by their first name to those I worked alongside, and I assure you, it was never under this sort of…pretense…”
Every word I spoke made me want to shrivel up and wither away.
Even having to mention my brothers in such an obtuse comment…I missed them. I missed them terribly. I knew my face was not what it should be after such a bold disclosure; when the underlying invitation that this was romantic and the way of the social season, I quickly had to remedy it.
“I should not have said anything. Forgive me, Your Highness.”
I set my napkin on the table and looked utterly contrite with myself.
“This has been beyond improper–”
Theo stood, and I watched him walk right up to my chair, all while keeping my expression nervous.
“Please,” was all he said as he offered his hand to help me stand.
Hmm, maybe I had gone too far, and he would tell me to leave.
I slowly gave him my hand, my bare skin touching his, which was definitely very, very improper. I swallowed as I rose to my feet and followed the prince as he guided us over to the wall of doors, where the moonlight was streaming onto the floor from the east corner.
He stood us in front of it, still holding my hand, and brought it up between us. Oh fuck, was he going to propose!? I felt all the blood rush from my face.
“You are unlike any maiden I have ever met,” Theo said softly, staring into my eyes.
This was so intense. My stomach was bubbling with nerves, and it did not feel good in the slightest.
“I wish for you never to ask forgiveness of me, Mina,” he continued, smiling at me.
Up close like this, less than an arm’s length away, Theo was quite attractive. He was tall and lean; certainly, any girl would dream of loving a handsome man with kind eyes and a pretty smile. He was just not as attractive as…
“It is the most wonderful breath of fresh air to talk to one who is so truthful and humble,” Theo explained. “Allow me to be so bold as to tell you how bewitched I am when you speak. I see nothing, hear nothing, except you.”
Fuck, I was trembling.
He was going to propose…and how could I decline? I wanted to. I did not know him, and I abhorred him for running a marital game for the amusement of his court. His gaze went over my shoulder, and he nodded. I gathered a hard breath when he released my hand to take the item which the servant brought forth to him.
My head throbbed worse than ever at the lack of blood above my neck.
I made myself look down as I swallowed, clasping my hands nervously in front of the skirt of my dress as the prince held a large leather jewelry box. A massive wave of relief flooded through me.
Oh, thank heavens! It wasn’t a ring.
The peak of fear, adrenaline, and now alleviation I felt was wreaking havoc on my headache, but I would embrace it if it meant I was still not claimed by him.
“I would be honored to gift you this, Mina,” Theo said, peering at me before opening the lid. I barely heard his words, blood racing through my ears.
“You have elevated the beauty of my gardens so exquisitely. I found it only suiting for you to wear something of that which you are equally as fond of.”
The necklace within sparkled in the candlelight, far brighter than the moon in the sky. The diamonds clustered in a row of flowers with five “petals” each, with smaller diamonds scattered between them to give the illusion of “leaves,” the cost of it could surely keep me comfortable for the rest of my life.
My right hand reached over to the doorframe and grabbed it for support as I started stumbling backward in shock. Shock, but partially relief. I was not ready to be engaged, let alone come to terms with the reality that I would have to be. I’m sure I could begin to process it all once I slept.
“I couldn’t,” I breathed, looking away from the beautiful and expensive necklace to the prince’s awaiting face.
He smiled. “Because of that answer, I know you shall. I cannot think of another who should deserve it and match its beauty, if not outshine it. Allow me…”
I had no choice but to stand still and not reveal my anxiety, my wish to flee and never look back, as Theo picked up the necklace and moved behind me to clasp it to my bare neck.
Duval, you clever bastard.
I held my breath so as not to alert him to how panicked my breathing truly was, fighting with all my effort not to cringe when his fingers brushed the back of my neck while he set the clasp against my skin. His eyes were on the necklace as he returned in front of me, and his smile glittered like the diamonds now.
“Perfect,” he murmured, his eyes searching mine, and that look was back in full force.
I couldn’t do this.
I shouldn’t be gifted diamonds and have a prince falling for me.
“Your Highness, I–”
“Theo, please,” he said gently.
I could barely meet his eye. I touched the middle of my ribs, feeling overwhelmed and terrified, and I couldn’t think with every pound of my heart ricocheting through my skull like a white-hot poker. I finally lost the battle against my headache and winced, not even trying to hide it.
“Mina,” Theo said in a rush, and I opened my eyes to him moving closer, taking hold of my upper arms.
“Are you unwell? What is it?”
My head had never felt such pain, not even the occasional rocks pelting down from the quarry or the boots to my face when they rendered me unconscious. Well, all right, perhaps the latter was worse.
“It’s nothing, merely a headache. I’m sorry,” I said under my breath, reaching up to touch my temple.
“I have had it all day, and I hoped it would be better in time for our dinner–”
Theo guided me to the table and touched my back to help me sit down again.
“There’s no need to apologize,” he reassured me, offering me my glass of water.
I took a sip—then a deep breath and closed my eyes after I swallowed.
He knelt beside my chair. The picture of devoted concern and the weight of such an extravagant gift on my neck did little to ease the terror-filled butterflies swarming in my stomach.
“Oh please,” I said, and I meant it as I gripped my water glass for support. “I cannot have His Highness fretting about on his knees over me–”
Theo shook his head. “I care not of my title when you are ailing, Mina.” His voice was steadfast, strong, and it reminded me so much of…fuck, why could I not get Sawyer out of my mind?
“You should have sent word you were unwell. Why have you endured the pain of a headache all throughout dinner?” he asked, the worry and confusion over why I had done such a thing palpable.
If I had to play a goddamn damsel, I would not disappoint myself or Duval with how flawlessly I could portray one. I met Theo’s upset teal eyes and explained pointedly.
“You should know best of all.”
His expression widened at my grave, serious tone.
“I am fighting in a game, a contest that I have not spent my entire life preparing for as every other maiden has…”
That surprise gave way to regret. Ha! Good.
“My disadvantages far outweigh my fairness in appearance,” I said quietly. “Therefore, how could I decline your invitation simply over a headache when another should then have taken my place?”
Guilt drowned Theo’s features. He sighed and looked down, and I could barely enjoy my victory over him, the pig courting forty women.
“We shall resume this conversation once you are recovered,” he stated mildly, rising to his feet. “I will escort you to your room while the royal physician is called.”
I stood up quickly, which fuck did that hurt, and I clenched my teeth as I hurried to refuse. “That’s quite unnecessary.”
I took a deep breath in through my nose to abate the spike of pain in my skull.
“I truly only require rest. Revealing how stressed court has thus hindered me has already embarrassed me enough, I promise you, Theo.”
We were standing close, improperly close, and I averted my gaze, picking up my gloves to put them back on.
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about,” he said matter-of-factly, and I could feel his eyes on me as I slid my gloves up my arms. “It is I who is beyond contrite. I did not see your affliction sooner. I believed it to be merely nerves.”
Glad that played in my favor, then.
“I am not so delicate as to be bedridden over a headache,” I said adamantly, returning my gaze to his.
Theo looked different…more…manly, somehow. His masculinity was on full display as he stared at me without reservation, and oddly, I found it very agreeable on him.
“I know you are not, Mina.”
He offered his arm, taking the jewelry box and my fan from the table corner with his other hand.
“You need not worry about other courtiers when you feel poorly. Your health comes first, and I should not hear another word of it. Hmm?”
I slipped my arm through his, a little taken aback that his protectiveness over my well-being was so…passionate. That was unnerving, to be sure.
I inclined my neck to him in reply, unsure of what to say. So, I could feign a headache again and not have to attend a ball? Was his reassurance regarding the other débutantes meant to incline towards his affection for me and only me?
Giselle’s mention of his lack of interest for the past several seasons reminded me that I was the first woman to catch his fancy. Surely, someone like Gabriella, a gorgeous blonde, or any of the other pretty girls would soon intrigue him? How many other women would receive diamonds from Theo?
He had plenty to spare.
The thought that such wealth was just sitting around for the social season burned my insides. Why was more money not given to help the poor? To help the dangerous conditions of the quarries? It seemed that his motives were not to better his people but to care more for lavishing the privileged with his generosity.
I closed my eyes as we left the dining room, ashamed that I was on the arm of such a tactless future King.
“Are you well enough to walk?” Theo asked, and I opened my eyes to find him watching me.
Fuck it. This night was ruined anyway.
“Quite,” I said agreeably.
“You may remove your slippers should it make it more comfortable for your head pain,” he offered.
The gesture was nice, but I continued to realize that simply being kind to me did not mean I would ever grow fond of someone so selfish.
It also reminded me of Sawyer, and it seemed he had also told Theo of my unsuitable state when the captain returned me to the guest wing without shoes or gloves.
“That would be greatly improper in your presence, Your Highness,” I said, refined, to solidify what he always ignored, which was that there were customs I had to follow because of his status.
I thought he would argue back. Instead, he went silent.
At long last.
Now that I was paying attention, I realized how close the stairs were to the dining room and, with it, the private gardens, all of which were near my suite three floors up.
It was only around one corridor and the back stairwell coming from the opposite hall Sawyer, and I took when he brought me to the suite. I wanted to insist I could make it to my room alone but knew better than to irritate a prince.
He kept an eye on every step up the three flights, touching my back so I could have both hands to raise my skirts as we climbed. I couldn’t be more elated when I saw the doors to my rooms and how I would burrow into bed and not leave it for at least two days.
“I am very sorry I ruined your lovely dinner,” I said when we reached the clean, white doors.
Theo pressed his lips together, releasing my arm from his.
“You certainly did no such thing. Please forgive me for not inquiring about your health sooner.”
