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He grins, enjoying the banter. “You tease, but I am well aware you only want me for my title.”

“Figured it out, have you?”

“And I only want you for your wit.” His smile morphs into a frown, and he slowly drifts his eyes over me and pushes away from the wall. He takes two languid steps forward, catching me by the waist. “And your eyes and your lips and your—”

“Careful,” I warn. But because we’re alone for the moment, I don’t bother to push him away.

“When, exactly, did you become so delectable, Clover?”

“About the same time you started chasing everyone’s skirts but mine.”

Lawrence raises his brows, intrigued, and then he lowers his voice suggestively. “Would you like me to chase your skirt, Clover?”

Laughing, I step out of his arms. “I see a flaw in my grand plan.”

“And what’s that?”

“If I marry you for your crown…I would have to be married to you.”

He drops his arms, releasing me. “Your words gut me like a knife.”

“I’m sure,” I say, laughing.

“Clover!” screeches Camellia from across the practice yard.

“She’s found me,” I deadpan as we watch Lawrence’s sister hasten to us.

Sunlight shines upon Camellia’s warm blonde hair, making it glisten like spun gold. The agitated sway of her hips catches the attention of several guards on the inner wall, proving that Henrik is not the only man blind to the princess’s many,manyshortcomings.

“Are you not one of my ladies-in-waiting?” Camellia demands when she reaches me. Her blue eyes bore into me like glittering daggers, but I’m familiar with her agitation. She places her hands on her hips. “Tell me, are you supposed to be attending my brother orme?”

“Choose me,” Lawrence says under his breath. “I’m more fun.”

I bow my head and fight the impulse to laugh. “My apologies, Your Highness.”

“Come along,” she commands, already turning back the way she came. “I need you to stand for the dressmaker. You know how I hate wasting my day while the clumsy girl stabs me with her pins.”

“Lucky you,” Lawrence says when Camellia is a safe distance away. “You’re nearly the same size as my sister.”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds.” I drop my voice. “Minda only stabs Camellia.”

“As she should.” Lawrence chuckles. “We must take those golden opportunities as they arise.”

Camellia’s dulcet tones reach me once more. “Clover!”

“If you’ll excuse me,” I say to Lawrence with a sigh, already starting for the castle.

Before I go, my friend catches my arm, smirking. “If you need comfort when the ordeal is finished, you know where to find me.”

“Yes, I’ll just knock on all the girls’ doors. I’ll eventually discover the right one.”

Laughing, Lawrence shakes his head. “You wound me, Clover.”

Smirking, I hurry after Camellia.

5

Henrik