It was quite lovely to see you again, Geoffrey,” Merrick remarked warmly to his former valet. Geoffrey’s color had returned to his cheeks, and he looked more rested than the last time Merrick had seen him some weeks ago.

It was the yearly celebration of the winter solstice for the royal staff, and Harris had made sure to invite Geoffrey, especially because his departure had been so abrupt. It was a tradition they seemed to take great merriment in since they would otherwise be hard at work during the holiday festivities—and this year especially with the ball.

The celebration always took place in the grand foyer, where tables were set up for the lavish luncheon. Just moments before, the king and queen had completed their annual gift-giving to thank the staff for their years of service, and normally it was of monetary value.

As Merrick stood watching from the back of the room, he thought Cassius would appreciate the special bonus, and imagined him presenting it to his family. Cassius must’ve had the same thought as he humbly thanked Merrick’s parents for the gift, bowed his head in retreat, and then briefly sought Merrick’s gaze before quickly turning away.

“I hope we made the right decision with your new valet,” Geoffrey remarked, breaking him out of his thoughts. It seemed ages ago that Geoffrey had suggested the footman as a good candidate to take his place. Ages ago that Cassius first caught Merrick’s eye and impressed him with his wry sense of humor and tender care.

“It was the perfect choice,” Merrick replied, his throat clogging with emotion. Though he did not know what would happen after the ball.

He longed to request that Cassius ride with him into the forest. To steal away from the hustle and bustle of the day’s celebration to their private spot. But he knew it would only make things more difficult. He did not want to cause his valet any more heartache—he would carry the burden for him if he could.

Besides, once the prince or princess of Evergreen married, they would move to one of the manors on the castle grounds—Marjorie to Rosemede and Merrick to Winterfrost—to make their home on the sprawling property. They would retain their own staff, and though they would normally ask their valet or lady maid to join them, Merrick did not see how that could bode well for either him or Cassius.

Though he knew he’d need to decide soon enough, at this point he could not even stomach thinking about making a home with a person he did not love, let alone know very well, for the sole purpose of carrying on the monarchy. When broken down in those frank terms, it sounded almost barbaric.

“Ah, lunch is being served,” Geoffrey remarked, bidding him farewell with a bow. “I’ll be sure to ask Cassius if he needs any last-minute counsel.”

Merrick smiled at the kind gesture. “Enjoy the luncheon, and thank you again for your years of service.”

The royal family did not partake in the festivities with the staff, allowing them a reprieve from their routine and scrutiny. Therefore, he retreated up the grand staircase to the second-floor foyer, where his sister stood watching and waiting, her mouth split into a grin.

“You look positively radiant. Did something happen?” he asked, although she had been cheerful in general as of late.

“Nothing to announce if that’s what you mean.” She tapped her finger to her chin. “Although I do have the most magnificent dress chosen for the ball, and that night Charles and I will make our debut in public together.”

“That will be lovely,” Merrick replied, trying his best to grasp on to some measure of joy for his sister even though he felt rather dead inside. “I am happy for you. Charles adores you, and I think you chose well.”

He could feel his sister’s close scrutiny, same as he had all week. He tried to be himself as he went about his routine even though he was falling to pieces inside. And being around Cassius was even worse. Each time the valet placed his hands on him in any manner of ways to dress him for the day, Merrick would hold his breath or tremble involuntarily. Cassius would leave as quickly as possible, as if he could not handle being so close to him either.

“Have you heard about the Duke of Lexington?” Marjorie asked as she lowered her voice conspiratorially.

Merrick’s spine straightened. He did not know what Marjorie would tell him about the duke rumored to have a penchant for men as well, but he hoped it was not bad news. He certainly could not bear it. “What of him?”

“The latest gossip is that he has a companion living with him at the estate.”

“A companion?” Merrick asked, pinpricks lining his skin. “Do you mean…”

“A man he claims to love,” she replied, and Merrick’s breath caught. It was the first such arrangement he’d heard of in their social circle. “How scandalous,” Marjorie continued with a smirk. “Live and let live, I say. And several others have as well.”

His pulse pounded in his ears. “Marjorie, I do know what you are trying to—”

“What happened between the two of you?” she asked suddenly and then looked over his shoulder to be sure nobody was in close proximity. “The night of the storm? Why did you send word—”

“It was my fault we were caught in the blizzard.” His stomach warmed at the very thought of that day. It would remain the best of his life. “I requested we visit Cassius’s family.”

Marjorie drew back in surprise. “His family?”

“They’re quite charming, and they miss him as much as he does them,” Merrick replied as a smile stretched his lips at the memory. “You would adore them. His sister Emily, who is as much of a spitfire as you, said she imagined Princess Marjorie living in the north tower like Rapunzel.”

“Rapunzel?” she scoffed as she folded her arms. “I would never wait for a man to rescue me.”

Merrick laughed that her annoyance succinctly matched Emily’s. He arched an eyebrow. “Not even Charles?”

She rolled her eyes. “I may be smitten with Charles, but it would never work between us if I couldn’t be my own person.”

Merrick kissed her cheek as relief washed through him. He hadn’t realized until that moment that despite his distraction with his own enamored feelings, he was still concerned about her objective. He’d been afraid she was sacrificing too much of herself, but now he realized he needn’t have worried. “I am glad to hear it. You are a princess that girls all over Evergreen should admire.”

Her cheeks flushed as she looked away, enjoying his compliment.

After another moment, she lifted her hand to his cheek and studied his eyes intently. “You are in love.”

“What?” His first instinct was to draw back and deny it. But this was his sister, whom he’d shared many a secret with over the years, and this was one he could no longer deny.

His shoulders dropped in defeat. “Yes, I love him. Very much.”

She sighed as she cupped his chin. “My heart hurts for you, brother.”

“I will survive.” Merrick shut his eyes momentarily as he drew a deep breath. “You survived…what’s his name…a few years ago. Henry.”

“That was child’s play…a mere crush,” she replied, averting her eyes and possibly recalling how she pined for the handsome son of a diplomat. “This is not that, correct?”

Merrick met her gaze head on. “No. Not even close.”

“The feeling is mutual,” she stated, her eyes darting over the railing to the luncheon down below. “If the longing in Cassius’s eyes is any indication, any time he looks your way.”

Merrick dragged his gaze away from a glum-looking Cassius, who sat beside his friend Valor and Marjorie’s lady maid, Isabella, eating their lunch in the foyer.

“But his eyes also show the same pain,” Marjorie added, and Merrick bit down on his lip.

“Still, I shall choose a lady to court from the ball. Mother is going through all this trouble, so it is time I fulfilled my obligation,” Merrick said with a conviction he did not feel. “Someone kind and companionable to share my life with. Will you help give your approval?”

“My dear brother, I am not sure I can stand by and watch you—”

“But you will, because I must. You know that as well as I do,” Merrick huffed, then turned toward the hallway leading to his chamber as he considered retrieving his drawing pad. “If anyone is looking for me, I will be in the woods with Ursula.”

And that was exactly where Merrick went. He climbed atop his mare and rode to his favorite clearing in the forest. Cassius could not be with him, so he drew him instead.