Page 75

The stains on his shirt and the bruises already forming on his skin only seemed to suggest that Sebastian wasn’t merely helping the king show him where his weaknesses lay.

Growing up, Kallie had a strict training regime, which often left her battered and bruised. But her father had always ensured that the bruises never showed and were easily hidden beneath the dresses. If one of the guards she had manipulated to assist in her training got carried away, Kallie would wake up to a new dress that covered the fresh bruises the next day. If she had not hidden them, those in the castle would have questioned what the princess was doing in her free time. And questions always led to suspicions, which never led to anything good. She was thankful for her father’s precautions.

But Sebastian had not been careful. He had been ruthless.

Did Rian even realize that his brother had intentionally roughed him up, that Sebastian was jealous of Rian’s title?

She reached down and pulled her gift up to the surface. “Tell me the truth, Rian. Did Sebastian intentionally harm you?”

Rian shook his head. “No. Sebastian wouldn’t do that.”

The haze of her gift swam in his brown eyes, yet she didn’t believe a single word he said.

Was the king truly that ignorant?

She let her gift sink back to the bottom of her stomach and finished washing the rest of the dirt off Rian’s face.

“I didn’t even realize Sebastian was still here,” she said as she dipped the rag in the murky water. She hadn’t seen Sebastian since their conversation days ago. She had assumed he was gone, but apparently, he still lurked somewhere within the castle.

Her stomach sank.

Rian brushed a hand across his face, his jaw flexing. “My brother was with the troops this past week. He only just returned last night.”

“Hmm,” Kallie hummed. She dried off her hands and stared at the pail of water.

Rian’s hand wrapped around hers, and he tugged, beckoning her to look at him. “Kallie, I have only known you for a couple of weeks now, but I know you well enough at this point to know that you always have something to say.”

Kallie gnawed on her lip.

His gaze danced across her face, and he raised a hand, caressing her cheek. His voice softened. “I meant what I said before. While I respect tradition, that does not mean I wish the traditions to remain the same. Speak your mind.”

Kallie blinked at him, her brows furrowing. Didn’t he know that he couldn’t have it both ways?

His thumb brushed across her cheek. “Please.”

Kallie sighed, leaning into his touch. “If Sebastian is one of your advisors, should he not be more concerned with your reputation?”

Rian’s hand fell. “I full-heartedly believe that Sebastian has my best interest in mind.”

“But what if someone saw you in such shape as you were today?”

“Then they would think that their king takes his training seriously.”

“And an enemy?” Kallie arched a brow.

“I have personally vetted everyone here.” He grabbed Kallie’s hand, pulling her closer. “If you are worried about your safety, let me reassure you now. You are safe here with me.”

Kallie said nothing, only offering him a soft smile.

His gaze dipped down to her mouth, and Kallie stiffened as he leaned in.

Bells rung in the clock tower, echoing throughout the castle.

Kallie took a step back. “I should be going. I don’t want Laurince chopping my head off for making you any later than you already are to your meeting.”

Rian straightened, tipping his head. Yet even though he said goodbye to her with a grin, sadness leaked from his irises. But Kallie could not provide him any more comfort.

Rian believed that no enemies wandered these halls. Yet he did not see that one of his enemies stood before him, that he invited his enemy into his private quarters. And if he could not see that, how many others could be harboring ill thoughts about their king?