Page 68 of Retrograde

He hadn’t.

Shehad. Andra had probably called him and proposed the idea of putting her in front of me, being different from the other candidates—all of it.

Oh boy.

“Good, right?” he checked after a few minutes of us eating quietly.

“Delicious,” I answered easily. It was beyond that even, the seasoning bold and perfect but not spicy where there was no taste. I ordered the largest option where it was a bit of everything. I had thought that was all we were getting, so I’d been a bit spoiled.

I figured it was fine for my first time. Doing quick calculations in my head of the price difference of what we’d ordered, plus what he’d eaten of appetizers versus what I did and his drink… I was pretty sure he was still more expensive.

Or close where it shouldn’t have been an issue.

“What is your favorite?” he asked when we were about halfway.

“The king crab legs,” I told him, nodding when he raised an eyebrow. “I know most would say the lobster or oysters—but I’m a fan of crab and these are in season and perfect.”

“They are good,” he agreed. “I’m just a huge fan of mussels done this way. Or with pasta.”

Fair enough.

We finished up and both my dragons were sated with the fun and good food. I would have liked something sweet, but oddly enough the place didn’t have a dessert menu. Part of me wanted to ask if he picked the place for that reason, but it seemed so beyond petty and clearly he liked the place.

But I also wouldn’t have put it past some of the other candidates.

On the way back to the castle, I did see something perfect and asked the driver to pull over, not caring the headaches it would cause. That my security would have to scramble—any of it.

I’d gotten stuck on another meh date and I wanted what I wanted… Which was actually a date.

“Really?” Zev asked as I got out and he scrambled after me.

I gave a half shrug. “There wasn’t dessert.” Security went to the doors first, but I frowned. “It’s fine, they’re closing.” I gave another half shrug when all my security looked at me as if they were trying not to laugh.

“We can stay open a bit later for you, Your Majesty,” one of the workers said as if she was trying to cover a chuckle. “It’s fine.”

“It was on a whim and I don’t want to be a bother,” I hedged. “I can send someone tom—”

“Please, come in,” she interrupted, wincing when everyone around us—even people now gathered on the street—froze. It was a huge faux pas to interrupt a royal, especially the ruler.

“Thanks,” I accepted, smiling at the other workers. “This place was—I’ve always wanted to come here.”

“Really?” several people asked, but I decided to answer Zev.

I nodded and went over to the first display. “Aunt Maple would send me care packages when I was studying abroad. Once a month without fail. Always something fun and—they kept me going when I was homesick.” I smiled at the woman who wasclearly the manager. “And always a box from here. It was the highlight of my care package. I would treasure your treats.”

She rubbed her chest. “You have no idea how much that means to me, Your Majesty.”

Then she broke down crying.

I glanced over at Lydia with a WTF look, but she seemed just as confused.

A man came racing from out back, and while my guards blocked me, he only focused on the woman. He got caught up and gave me a sad smile. “My mate recently took over after her mother died a few months ago. We’ve been struggling because people assume she can’t follow the same recipes or—her mother was talented, but it’s not magic.”

“May I?” I asked when I saw a tray of samples.

“Of course,” he said, nodding when two of my security rushed to try first.

“Thanks, guys,” I accepted, knowing there was no way anyone could have thought to poison the samples at a random place no one knew my connection to. I took a piece and had to contain a moan as my taste buds happily danced. “Perfect. This is—you’ve done your mother proud. This isexactlythe taste, and I cannot tell you how much I’ve been craving them.”