Free The King's Daughters by Nathalie Mallet Page A

rethink this decision. This prince . . . How can I put this?" Milo paused, a sudden blush colored his cheeks. Nervously wringing the edge of his tunic, he continued, "This prince has a very . . . questionable reputation. I've heard such unsavory tales about him on my outings. I think you shou—"
    "MILO!" I snapped. "Do not judge a man by the rumors spread about him. I've once been the subject of false rumors myself. So I don't care to hear the rambling gossips of servants or guards. You hear me."
    Milo shrunk down on himself as if he was afraid I would strike him. Perhaps I'd spoken too harshly. Then again, I couldn't suffer rumors. Milo needed to learn this. Truth be told, my decision to seek Prince Diego's help had been hard enough to make all by itself. The last thing I needed was to have Milo's doubts added to mine.
    "I suppose we should bring him a gift. What do you suggest we give him, Milo?"
    Looking less than enthusiastic, Milo shrugged. "I don't know. Do we have anything lacy?"
    I frowned at him. "Milo."
    "A kaftan would be appropriate. He seemed to have liked yours very much. Dandies are known for their fondness for clothing . . . so I was told."
    "It's settled then. Choose one. I'll dress, then we'll try finding his room."
     
    * * *
     
    Time was now precious to me, so I didn't lose any wandering through the castle, which was an impossible maze, looking for Prince Diego. Instead, I asked a guard to guide us there.
    Carrying a small cedar chest containing our gift, Milo slowly shuffled his feet behind me with the enthusiasm of someone being led to the gallows. He was determined to make his disapproval of my decision to seek out Prince Diego's help as apparent as possible.
    Ignoring him, I set my sight on the path ahead. The section of the castle we were entering was new to me. Its hallways were broad and well lit; paintings held within large gilded frames adorned the walls. Tables made of exotic woods were placed along the way, displaying ornate vases and silver candelabras. The floor was a shiny mirror of black marble—a far cry from the roughly cut granite of my rooms.
    "What is this area? Does it have a name?" I asked the guard.
    "Not really. We just call it the new wing."
    "Besides Prince Diego, who else has their apartments here?
    "The king's nephew. His close friends."
    "Ah, Lars."
    "We're here, Your Highness," the guard announced, indicating the gilded door on our right.
    "Thank you." I waited for the guard to be out of sight before raising my fist to knock.
    "My lord, please, we can still—"
    "Enough, Milo!" Taking a deep breath, I knocked. I waited a moment. As no answer came I knocked again.
    "Prince Diego!" I called. Perhaps he's not there, I thought with some relief. Maybe it's for the best. Maybe coming here was a mistake.
    I was about to leave when I heard laughter coming from inside the room. I knocked again, louder this time.
    The laughter died, replaced by the sound of approaching footsteps. The door swung open and Prince Diego stood at the entrance. Bare-chested and all disheveled, he stared at us with a bemused expression while holding on to his unbuttoned pantaloon, so it wouldn't drop to the floor.
    "Prince Amir! What a surprise. I'm—"
    Just then a half-naked young lady with long chestnut hair, and an armful of clothes tightly clutched against her body, dashed out of the room. She ran down the corridor and disappeared behind the bend.
    I couldn't say I was surprised that he was entertaining, however, the type of company he entertained wasn't at all what I had expected. Somehow this discovery only increased my suspicion toward this foreign prince.
    "I apologize for having disrupted your . . . meeting," I said with a little bow.
    One of Prince Diego's eyebrows rose slightly. "Please, do not worry about it. In this cursed place, one must amuse oneself whenever possible. Distractions are somewhat slim here." With a subjective glance to Milo, he added, "One is sometimes forced to