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Salas was in my sitting room. Draped head to toe in his dark cloak, he sat in an armchair by the wall. His large frame folded into the dainty piece of furniture made the chair look like it came from a doll house.

Several guards lingered around, too, but there were only about half of the number Gem had packed in here last night. Her trust in Salas must be growing.

The leader of the guards bowed her head as I entered.

“Your Highness.”

“He’s allowed to wait in my bedroom,” I told her. “And he doesn’t need to be watched in there.”

The guard leader looked doubtful but conceded with another bow, “Yes, Your Highness.”

I marched past her to my bedroom.

“Come with me.” I snapped my fingers at Salas in the gesture for him to follow.

There were no chains clinking this time as he got up and followed me into the bedroom then closed the door behind him.

I opened the patio doors wide. The evening air rushed in, and I breathed it deeply.

“You look very... regal tonight, Your Highness,” Salas stated behind me.

I didn’t want to actregal. I felt his presence with my skin. It was incredibly alluring, making me hate the distance between us.

“It’s the dress.” I turned around as he took off his cloak.

Faced with all his groomed and pampered glory, I drew in a shaky breath.

He studied my midnight blue evening gown stitched with golden skylines of Rorrim’s major cities along the hem.

“The dress is spectacular,” he agreed.

“Representing Rorrim in style in front of foreign dignitaries is a part of my duties.” With my hands behind me, I fished for the ends of the ribbon that laced my tight bodice at the back. “Sadly, the more formal the outfit, the more uncomfortable it tends to be. This one is insanely tight and stiff.”

“Allow me?” He came closer.

Instead of stepping behind me to find the ribbon, he brought his arms around me. Promptly finding the bow by touch, he untied it and loosened the ribbon, loop by loop.

His bare chest was right in front of me. I inhaled as deep as the tight dress allowed, stealing a lungful of his scent. He must’ve misinterpreted it as a sigh.

“A long evening?” he asked sympathetically.

“A formal dinner with an ambassador and about a hundred attendees.”

“Sounds exhausting,” he murmured into my hair. “Tired?”

“Not particularly. No.” The rare, good sleep last night helped with keeping my energy up through the day. But it was nice of him to ask. “I got offered a husband.” I smiled, turning my face up to his.

“A husband?”

“Yes. A very accomplished young gentleman, by the sound of it.”

If I worried Salas might have any reservations or concerns about my future marriage plans, I didn’t need to worry. He seemed completely unaffected, which helped me direct my emotions in a proper direction too.

Salas and I were two strangers from different walks of life. We only met because of a very specific situation, and we would part ways when it was over. In the end, Salas would get a new start a year sooner, and I’d be left with fond memories of him—the most pleasant memories of being with a man I’d have to date.

“Is he the one? Are you going to propose?” he asked, brushing a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

Salas wasn’t a hungry for gossip courtier. He didn’t know which young gentleman I was referring to or even which one of the many foreign ambassadors currently stationed in Egami I’d dined with. Yet it never hurt to be cautious in matters of state importance. I didn’t mention Prince Elbon’s name, or country, or even his title.