Page 54 of Wicked Prince of Frost

A movement in the doorway catches my attention. I look up to find the scowling prince just outside with his demon perched on his shoulder. No one else seems to be aware of his presence. I excuse myself and go to him as he slips from view.

The prince waits for me further down the hall. In this light, he’s paler than the last time I saw him. A scowl twists his lips.

He is upset. Again.

Wordlessly, he turns and strides around the corner. The silent order to follow is clear enough. He pulls me into a side room with at least forty long, low tables lined up in neat rows. We are alone in the servant’s dining hall.

He slides the door shut and whirls on me. “What are you doing?”

The anger in his voice takes me by surprise. I take half a step back, but he advances by two. “What do you mean? I’m not doing anything.”

“That is not what it looked like to me.” The prince continues to close the distance between us. “What if they say something? What if someone else saw you?”

I shake my head and stand my ground, refusing to let him back me into a corner. “I did nothing wrong.”

“Nothing wrong?” He barks a humorless laugh. “You are supposed to be playing the role of future queen. How would it look if word got out that you spend time in the kitchensworkingas if you were one of the staff? Is it not enough for them all to hate me? Do they need to think my magic is so weak that it would choose a servant for their queen?”

“He was injured, and I wanted to help. I didn’t think?—”

“That’s the problem. You didn’tthink.”

My cheeks burn with embarrassment. “I’m sorry.”

He’s right. It’s not as if he hadn’t warned me to be mindful of my words and actions.

“The last thing I need is for my people to rise up and rebel against me. Need I remind you that if you fail to perform your duties, then so will I?” With that, he turns on his heel and strides away. Imugi hisses at me before following.

Even if the threat was unnecessary, he is justified in being upset.

There’s not much I must do to hold up my end, yet I’ve already made a mistake.

I sigh. I can’t change what happened, but I can resolve to do better.

About to turn back, I stop, realizing the prince never said why he was looking for me.

I suppose I should find him and see what he needs—considering how I might as well not exist outside my usefulness. Besides, there’s something I want to discuss with him as well.

Taking a right when I leave the dining hall, I walk until the end, stopping at the cross section. I’m not sure where to go from here. There are countless places he could have gone.

With no other choice but to find someone who knows, I start walking, turning down corridors at random until I end up so lost that there’s not a single other person around. I groan and lean against the windowed wall. Warm sunlight filters in through the leaded glass, warming my back.

“What an unexpected pleasure,” a man says, his voice is one I could never forget.

My head snaps up at the familiar sound of the interim king’s voice. I push off the wall and bow.

“Now, now. What did I tell you the last time we met? There’s no need for ceremony when it is just the two of us.”

“Good afternoon, Your Majesty.”

The king holds an arm across his abdomen, using his otherhand to gesture down the hall. A silent invitation to walk together. “I am glad I ran into you.”

“You are?” I can’t imagine what he would want with me.

He laughs as if the reason should be obvious. “I noticed you haven’t made many appearances since your arrival. I was worried something might have happened to you.” He places a peculiar emphasis on the last part.

“I… had a slight fever.” The lie slips out of its own accord.

I’m unsure why I feel the need to hide the truth from him. Joon mentioned that he wanted our trip to go unnoticed, so I must assume that means everyone. Even the king. At least until he says otherwise.