Free Arianna & Finn (Royals of Valleria #3) by Marianne Knightly Page B

locally called Food Street,” he said, unable to hide the pride in his voice. “It’s one of my favorite places in the city.”
     
    “I can see why. Has it always been here?”
     
    “The cobbled street was built hundreds of years ago. Many years back, there was a movement to rip up the street and turn it into a more modern street, with standard pavement. My father couldn’t bear to see it go, though, so he campaigned for it to be saved.”
     
    “Well, who would want to destroy it?” Arianna asked as she took a sample of grilled sausage one vendor offered her. “God, this is delicious.”
     
    “George is one of the best,” Finn said as he slapped a hand on the man’s shoulder.
     
    “You’re not so bad yourself, Prince Finn,” the bear of a man said. “And who’s this lovely miss with you?”
     
    “George, this is Princess Arianna of Valleria. She and her brother are visiting us.”
     
    “Oh! I beg your pardon, Princess,” he said as he dropped into a clumsy bow, which caught the attention of the people nearby.
     
    “Oh, please, there’s no need for formality,” she said, but it was too late. As a crowd formed around them, Finn wished he could pull her against him and keep her safe in his arms. Since he couldn’t in public, security was the next best thing and he gestured for them to come closer. He didn’t think any of them would hurt Arianna, but he’d rather be safe than sorry.
     
    Finn could tell Arianna was overwhelmed as his fellow countrymen and women came to greet her. He watched a wide smile grace her face as a little girl gave her a flower, and she kneeled down to speak to her eye-to-eye.
     
    “How long are you here for, Your Highness?” one voice called. “Are you dating our Finn?” asked another.
     
    Finn clapped his hands a few times and calmed the crowd. “Everyone, thank you so much for giving the Princess such a warm welcome. I told her she’d be charmed by Brazenbourg and its people, and I was right.”
     
    “Have you charmed her, too, Prince Finn?” a young boy, no more than five years old, asked and everyone laughed. Out of the mouth of children , he thought. Arianna was blushing, and he didn’t want her to feel embarrassed.
     
    “I am simply showing the Princess our lovely country, and I am being a perfect gentleman,” he said as he playfully tweaked the young boy’s nose. When everyone chuckled, Finn said, “Okay, so maybe not a perfect gentleman, but pretty close.”
     
    George spoke up in defense of Finn. “You don’t need to worry, miss, I mean, Princess. Our Finn here’s a scamp, but a better man you’ll never know. He’s always one to lend a hand if you need it.” A murmur of agreement swept through the crowd.
     
    “Thank you, all,” Arianna said as she affixed the small flower the little girl had given her into her upswept hair. “Prince Finn has been a gentleman, and you are all very kind. I won’t forget how lovely and welcoming you have been.”
     
    Finn could feel the pride sweep through the crowd. Brazenbourg may be a small country, but pride in their homeland was never determined by the size of the country, only by those that lived within it. After a few more remarks, Finn disbursed the crowd.
     
    “They love you,” Arianna said.
     
    “What’s not to love?” he said with a broad smile as he slid on some sunglasses.
     
    Arianna laughed. “You know what I mean. Do they feel the same way about Henry?”
     
    Finn’s smile faded. “Henry’s a different man than I am.”
     
    “So, he expects more formality.”
     
    Finn gestured for her to keep walking. It wasn’t safe to speak of such things in public; Finn knew Henry always had someone tailing him or hiding in the crowd. “Henry expects quite a lot, from everyone,” Finn simply said. “Are you hungry?”
     
    “Starving. Who wouldn’t be in the midst of all this?”
     
    “Savory or sweet?”
     
    “What?”
     
    “Would you prefer something savory or