Page 48 of Back to Claim His Crown
‘It’s an honour to meet you, King Niko.’ She curtseyed to the man who knew more about Lucian than anyone, nervous to make a good impression on him.
‘Princess Zara.’ He bowed and then turned. ‘May I introduce my wife, Maia.’
The tenderness with which he drew the pretty woman forward tore Zara’s heart a little. They chatted for a time—simple talk of differences in climate before a more honest smile about palace regulations. Other people came up to speak with them—though mostly with Niko. But eventually the more curious addressed Zara directly.
‘You’ve had a very challenging time.’ One loud woman openly stared at her.
‘Indeed. But I feel very relieved,’ Zara said softly. ‘It seems I had a lucky escape.’
It was mortifying to have been so naive and ignorant of her fiancé’s nature. To have been so gullible and then rejected so publicly, so brutally.
‘Royal alliances can be complicated.’ Niko stepped in smoothly. ‘It will settle down, I’m sure.’
King Niko very clearly only had eyes for Maia but he turned to Zara intently, shielding her from the other people present. ‘Though I do find it fascinating that you’ve remained here through this challenging time.’
What had Lucian told him? Zara licked her lips nervously.
‘King Lucian has been very kind to me,’ she said diplomatically.
‘Kind?’Niko said in a low voice only Zara could hear. ‘The Lucian I know isn’tkind. He’s austere in every element of his life. Fiercely and ruthlessly focused on his work.’
‘Indeed, it is difficult to get him to talk of much else. But heisvery kind.’ She stoutly defended him to the one man she’d thoughtwouldknow and appreciate Lucian’s depths.
She couldn’t help glancing across the ballroom towards the tall figure. She knew it was safe enough to do so.Everyonewas watching him, all as fascinated as she. It wasn’t just curiosity but the fact he was compelling. Not to mention unbearably handsome. But his ice-blue gaze was upon her right now and she stilled, feeling the heat rising within her. All she had to do was look at him and she was lost.
She quickly turned back.
Niko had leaned away to murmur something to Maia before they both smiled, but he then stepped back to her. ‘Will you dance, Princess Zara?’
‘Oh.’ Her nervousness spiked. She hadn’t thought she would dance at all. She’d half hoped to escape the ball early. She’d planned to show her face, hold her head high, stay just long enough to settle Maia in and then quietly leave once everyone had got over the surprise of seeing her present. Dancing would put her far more on show. Especially dancing with King Niko.
‘Everyone is watching you anyway, Princess,’ Niko said softly. ‘Why not show them how little you care about what has happened?’
Men like Niko and Lucian were not used to being denied. Plus, shewasa princess. She was supposed to dance at palace balls. And the truth was she never had. She’d never been to a ball like this.
‘Thank you, it would be an honour.’
He bowed and led her onto the dance floor. She was aware of most people turning. She knew he was ensuring she was no social outcast—not allowing her to remain an object of pity. She held her head high and suddenly she found she truly no longer cared what any of them thought. Her freedom from all this was imminent and as a result she could actually enjoy it. There was no real pressure. She no longer had anyrequirementto perform. She wasn’t going to be a princess for very much longer. She could just relax and, incredibly, she began to enjoy herself. She actually giggled at King Niko’s mild joke. He too was kind and she softened towards him. No wonder he and Lucian were friends.
Afterwards, another man came over to her—a dashing captain from Niko’s enormous entourage. He asked her to dance and she hid her reluctance and accepted. As they glided by the group around King Lucian she saw King Niko standing next to him now, watching her with a broad smile on his face. Lucian was also watching. But he looked as emotionless as ever.
‘Princess Zara.’ Another ultra-polite man from the party from Piri-nu asked her to dance. Then another.
Queen Maia seemed both awed and amused by the whole spectacle. She and King Niko frequently danced—always circling near to where Zara was dancing with yet more officers from Piri-nu. And in the times when they didn’t dance, Zara chatted more and more easily with Maia, sipping cool drinks. She discovered Maia shared her sweet tooth so she delighted in telling her which of the delicate cakes were the best—especially the miniature caramel apple tarts. Zara was the only person King Niko danced with aside from his wife and Maia seemed particularly amused by the offers that Zara constantly received. Her dance card was very full indeed. It wasn’t long before she didn’t want it to be.
‘Stop them, please,’ Zara muttered in a laughing undertone to Maia. ‘My feet are killing me.’
Maia giggled and took her arm. ‘Then let’s go find some more of those fancy cakes and hide.’
They sat in an alcove that afforded them some privacy while allowing them to watch proceedings. As Zara caught her breath she realised she wanted to savour this last experience. She wanted just a little more—to dance with Lucian. Just the once. She wanted a fairy-tale moment when the long-lost King returned and swept the rejected princess up and away.
But fairy-tales didn’t happen in real life. Rejected princesses kept their chins up. They smiled. Even when their hearts were being crushed ever so slowly under the weight of unrequited, impossible affection.
Her only consolation was that Lucian danced with no one. Not once.
She caught his gaze once more from where she sat. Caught it, held it, melted inside. It was only when someone stepped from behind him that he startled and turned quickly away. She too turned, only to realise Maia had been watching that wordless interaction. Maia hadseen.
Zara felt a flush burnish her cheeks.
