As Delia Grace and I listened to my parents go on and on about how Mother’s favorite tiara had gone missing last Crowning Day, and she was hoping the culprit would show up with it this year so she could finally get it back, I thought back on how easy our conversation had been the night before. How would I have said something then? A crumb of an idea hit me, and I waited until my mother finally let the king have a break from her incessant talking.

“I had a thought,” I began sweetly. “Remember that old swing back at Varinger Hall?”

Jameson smirked. “What of it?”

“I think I would like to go back to it, and have the strongest hands in all Coroa push me on it. Maybe then I would finally feel like I got to be a bird,” I teased.

“That sounds positively charming.”

“There are many places in Coroa I’d like to see with you,” I continued.

He nodded seriously. “As you should! More and more, I’m thinking you need to be well versed in all of Coroa’s history.”

I added that little tick mark to the list of things the king had said that made me think he wanted me as queen.

“I hear the mountains in the north are so beautiful, they’ll bring you to tears.”

Jameson agreed. “The way the mist settles on them . . . it’s as if they’re from another world entirely.”

I smiled dreamily. “I would very much like to see that. Maybe it would be a good time to go on a tour of the country, let your people see you. Show off your great possessions.”

He reached over, wrapping a strand of my hair around his finger. “I do have some beautiful things, though there is one gem in all of Coroa I am aching to call my own.”

Tick.

I lowered my voice to a whisper. “I would go anywhere with you, Your Majesty. Although . . .” I peeked around him at Father. “Father, didn’t you have trouble on the road the last time you went up to Bern?”

After swallowing his oversized spoonful of food, he answered. “Broke a wheel. Those roads are rough out there.”

“Are they?” Jameson asked.

Father nodded gravely, as if everything he spoke of with the king was of utmost importance. “Unfortunately, yes, Majesty. Not enough people out there to keep them up. I’m sure there are plenty more in the same state of disrepair.”

“Well, that won’t do,” I said. “I wouldn’t want Your Majesty injured. Perhaps another time.”

Jameson wiggled his finger at me. “Who was it . . . Ah! Lord Seema!” he called. Out of the crowd, Lord Seema lifted his head and rushed forward to bow before the king.

I sat up straighter as Jameson began.

“Was it you who was saying something about the roads in Upchurch?”

Lord Seema flicked his eyes between Jameson and me. “Yes, Your Majesty. They’re in considerable disrepair.”

Jameson shook his head. “I am thinking of taking the Brites on progress, but I cannot do so if this pearl of a lady might be stranded on the road.”

“No, Your Majesty. With your permission, I could assemble a committee and survey the roads. Afterward, I could organize a proper budget, if you like. I’m very passionate about all the citizens of Coroa being able to travel easily, wherever they like, and would happily oversee it myself.”

“Granted,” Jameson replied quickly. “I’ll expect reports.”

Lord Seema stood there, stunned. “Yes. Yes, of course,” he stuttered as he backed away, mouth still hanging slightly open.

“What fun!” I sang. “I shall finally see all of our great country.”

Jameson kissed my hand. “All of Coroa. All of the continent, if you wish.”

Tick.

I settled back into my seat, looking over at Delia Grace.

She lifted her cup as her smile tightened. “Impressive.”

“Thank you.” I looked out at the mass of people, finding Lord Seema. He tilted his head toward me, and I did the same in reply. Maybe I could do this after all.

Five

WITHIN DAYS, MY WORLD CHANGED. Jameson was still sending flowers and trinkets to my room anytime he seemed to see something he thought I’d like, but now nobles left gifts for me as well. With all the new jewelry at my disposal, I truly was as Jameson said: as radiant as the sun. I had two chambermaids assigned to me, and when I walked through the palace, people would smile at me in passing, if sometimes a little tightly. I didn’t know if I had Lord Seema to thank for this or if my new attempts to be as regal and lovely as possible when I was with Jameson were finally being seen, but I certainly didn’t mind the attention. I had thought nothing could be as much fun as winning over the heart of a king, but I was wrong. It was much more thrilling to win over the hearts of countless people at once.

This thought filled my head as I walked with Delia Grace to the Great Room, graciously acknowledging courtiers and wishing them a good morning. Jameson seemed to have a special sense for when I was entering a room, and he would turn the full force of his attention on me when I came near. I was now greeted with a kiss on the cheek in the full view of the court anytime I joined him. And while I noted some disapproving glances when it happened, I took that as more of a challenge than a disappointment.

“You got my letter?” he asked.

“You mean the page of absolute poetry that ended with a request that I meet you this morning? Why, yes, I did.”

He chuckled. “You bring words out of me that I didn’t know existed,” he confessed, not looking the slightest bit shy about making such a statement with so many people in earshot. “Tell me, is everything well? Your new maids? Do you like your new clothes?”

I stepped back so he could see the full glory of one of my recent gifts. “They are the most beautiful I’ve ever had. And, yes, my maids are quite helpful, thank you. As always, you are too generous.”

At that he wiggled his eyebrows. “Those tokens will look like pebbles when—”

He broke off at the sound of hurried footsteps, and I turned, following his gaze. An older gentleman, one of Jameson’s many advisers, rushed in and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty, forgive me. There is a family here from Isolte seeking sanctuary. They come to present their case.”

It was customary among all the kingdoms of the continent to ask a king’s permission before settling in his land. If a family was found without a royal grant, well, on a good day they’d be removed. I’d seen what had happened on bad days, when Jameson’s father, Marcellus, sat on the throne.

His Majesty sighed, seeming put out to be drawn away from our conversation. “Very well, show them in.” As if the idea had struck him just then, his gaze came back to me. “Lady Hollis, perhaps you’d like to sit for the proceedings?” He waved his hand to the seat beside him. The gentleman in it, Lord Mendel, looked quickly between the two of us.

“Your Majesty, I—”

Beside him, Lord Seema gave a discreet nudge to his arm. Lord Mendel sighed but stood, bowing to both the king and me. I gave Lord Seema a grateful nod as I took my place.

I shot a look at Delia Grace, who was quietly smug on my behalf; she’d always known, hadn’t she? I heard disgruntled murmurs swarming around us—yes, I still had hearts to win over—but I focused my attention on Jameson. This was an opportunity to prove exactly what I was capable of. I could be demure and intelligent if the moment required it.