18:58Of course.
18:59That very night, the royal herald came with news.
19:02The emperor would dine at Westglass House the following evening.
19:07The palace erupted in shock and gossip overnight.
19:10That night, Lucien slept in the bed.
19:11I settled on the long couch by the window.
19:13A wide gap lay between us.
19:15You're not coming here?
19:53You're not coming here.
20:23You're not coming here.
20:53You're not coming here.
30:40I took my time with every move
30:43Ten minutes in, he started frowning
30:46Another ten, and I'd taken his queen
30:48Ten more, his position was all but defeated
30:54I lost
30:55You didn't
30:56I lost
30:57Your majesty plays very well
30:59Continue, and you shall be guilty of deceiving your sovereign
31:03Then I win
31:06He stared at me for a long moment
31:08Then suddenly laughed
31:09Not the restrained, polite smile of an emperor
31:12But a genuine laugh
31:15You're rather interesting
31:19Thank you, your majesty
31:23You're a vein horn
31:24Your father serves on the Imperial Law Council
31:26Your mother's your soap
31:26He glanced at me, coughed lightly, and skipped the criticisms I'd heard a thousand times
31:30I cannot let the court gossip that I'm neglecting state affairs
31:32To dote on my fiancé at Westglass House
31:34As he spoke, his brow freroed again
31:37The elders of the Privy Council droned on at me for nearly an hour today
31:40I couldn't out-argue them
31:42Just ignore him for two days, your majesty
31:44He'll settle down on his own
31:46What?
31:47I put the chess pieces back into their box, speaking casually
31:50He talks so much because he wants everyone to see his loyalty
31:53The more you debate with him, the more he puts on a show of loyalty
31:56Oh
31:56I flashed him a grin
31:57His expression froze awkwardly, so I quickly looked down again
32:00That man's desperate to stand out
32:02A little cold shoulder will do the trick
32:04Lucien stared at me for a long moment
32:05I kept my head down, tidying the board
32:08Just my casual remark, your majesty
32:10Don't take it seriously
32:14He left with a markably better mood
32:17Those turnips of yours?
32:19Send me some when they're ready
32:21Of course
32:22That very night, the royal herald came with news
32:25The emperor would dine at Westglass House the following evening
32:30The palace erupted in shock and gossip overnight
32:33That night, Lucien slept in the bed
32:35I settled on the long couch by the window
32:37A wide gap lay between us
32:38You're not coming here?
33:11You're not coming here
33:11You're not coming here
33:18You're not coming here
33:18You're not coming here
33:18You're not coming here
33:18You're not coming here
33:59...
Commentaires