“You’re upset.”
“Who wouldn’t be?”
“They found who did it.”
“He was only one. Surely there are others.”
“It has been nearly three months and still it upsets you?”
“They stole the sangoire cloak from the palace and hung it from the gates with a message for me. I got that message loud and clear.”
“You knew his love would change things. Were you naive enough to think it wouldn’t come with dangers?”
“Of course not.”
“What is your Dowayne doing to keep you safe?”
“I’ve asked her not to get involved.”
“Odilia!”
“If people are intent on ruining me, I will not have any of that impacting my House!”
“What is the Dauphin doing to protect you?”
“He most definitely cannot get involved. People are already whispering about the attentions and time he has already given me. Any more favour and those whispers will become complaints. Besides, he needs to be concentrated on the preparations for his coronation.”
“Elua’s Day, the announcement was made.”
“The first of May is little over a month away. His attentions need to be given to the throne he is about to inherit. Not to me.”
“Odilia…”
“Alesander,” she finally turned to look at him, “I am the older of us, it is my responsibility to worry about you.”
“You have enough on your mind,” he said, taking her hands, “You do not need to worry about your younger brother.”
“Or our ailing father?”
Alesander sighed.
“How is he?”
“His hands shake more and more every passing week,” he admitted. “I am all but running the store myself. But with my sister being courted by the future King, perhaps we will change our name to the Crowned Dahlia Jewellers?”
“Crowned?”
“The people are saying the commoner will become the Queen.”
She laughed, she couldn’t help it, “Oh Gustav knows better than to try that!”
