Page 14 of A Heart Too Tender

It shouldn’t have surprised me that they wouldn’t be able to stand to look at me. I must admit, I did have higher expectations. One of these women was to be my future bride, I had expected—more.

Only two had risen above the bar so far. Colette, of course, with her bright and warm smile. Our time together at the masquerade still weighed heavily on my mind. There was a spark there that was undeniable, but I didn’t want that to cloud my judgment completely.

The magic had selected four of them—not just one. But even sodden like she was the day she arrived, she appeared to me like a fresh bloom. The way her gown clung to her soft curves … a groan built deep in the recesses of my chest.

Then there was Zuri—smart and fierce. It didn’t make sense for someone that headstrong to join a trial for marriage. It might have been my imagination, but there was a sadness in her eyes. Maybe she didn’t want to be here?

I pondered over the two remaining princesses as I left the gallery with Charles. They were equally attractive, but their reaction to my appearance and then the persistence of their questions once I had been identified as useful was off-putting.

Wimberley deserved more from its future queen, and I deserved more out of a partner.

“Thoughts, Your Highness?” Charles asked barely above a whisper.

“It’s too soon to tell,” I replied.

Charles smirked and his eyes twinkled. “I wouldn’t say that.” He handed me a slip of parchment. Scanning over the document I read the servant’s request—of one feather mattress.

Colette had made the request.

My eyes widened and I flipped over the parchment looking for more information, but there was no reason listed. “The peas were placed under all of their mattresses, correct?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And only Colette requested a new mattress? Did the servant tell anyone the reason?”

Charles seemed hesitant to respond. “I am unaware of the reason.”

I sighed, feeling my hopes grow. “It’s quite alright. That’s what the morning survey is for, I suppose.”

Charles bowed low. “Is there anything else you require of me before I fulfill this request?”

“That will be all, thank you.”

He dipped his chin before striding down the hall. Several princesses left the gallery and began exploring the various rooms on this hallway, all luckily bypassing the one I was heading for.

A throat cleared behind me, and I turned to find Colette, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

“I know it is probably well beneath your title, sir, but could you perhaps point me in the direction of the library?”

I couldn’t help but smile at her. “I was actually just headed there myself,” I offered her my arm and she took it without hesitation.

“Oh, thank you. I would have wandered these halls all day and not been able to find it. This place is massive.”

I snorted, not being able to stop myself. “The trial has yet to begin, you don’t have to spin tales for my benefit.”

Colette stopped suddenly, yanking me to a halt with her. “I would never,” she breathed. “That’s akin to lying, my Lord.”

Her voice had taken on a steely edge that I had not thought her capable of. “My apologies, Princess.”

I reached for her again, and she took my hand before we resumed our journey. It didn’t feel possible to not touch her anymore.

Colette mused aloud about the art and vases we passed.

“I must admit, I feel a bit out of place here.”

I watched as she marveled at each thing and caught the reddening of her cheeks when she indulged that bit of information. “Why is that?”

“Such beauty,” she muttered. “Such extravagance. It’s not what I’m accustomed to. I could live here for years and still never get used to it. It is shocking to me that there are those that do.” She stopped us in front of a tiny painting of a swan. “Take this for example. How could you walk by this every day and not feel joy? Look at the masterful brush strokes the artist used to craft those wings.” Her eyes were bright with awe.