Page 19 of A Heart Too Tender

“For the questions?”

She frowned and shook her head. “No! The trials … are you alright?”

I glanced behind me. Elizabeth was touching up her lipstick and appeared to not be paying attention to our conversation at all. Her gown was golden like the sun shining outside and it made my tired eyes hurt.

“Not really,” I whispered to Zuri. “My bed is most uncomfortable.” I rubbed at my lower back and felt the throb of a budding bruise.

Zuri looked surprised, her warm brown eyes widening. “Well, don’t tell him that, if you want to win,” she whispered and jerked her chin towards the gallery. “Princesses don’t whine. Besides, I was up all night as well. I received a letter from Prince Leo. ”

I placed a hand on my chest, to quell the nerves that bubbled up. “What did he say? Wait—what kind of questions does⁠—”

“Princess Colette!” Charles called from the doorway, gesturing with his hand for me to enter.

I bit my lip as Zuri whispered, “Good luck!”

The gallery was just as breathtaking as it was the day before. Julian stood before a painting of a willow tree beside a sparkling pond. A pair of swans swam in the center, one of them black and one of white.

“That’s stunning,” I said as I walked towards him. Maude had paired my gown with brown slippers, the color of freshly tilled soil. Little jeweled butterflies glittered from the tops of them, but the flat soles would make my trial that much easier.

“It’s my favorite,” Julian replied as he turned to face me. I had almost reached him when my toe caught on the hem of my gown and I tumbled towards him. He caught me, right before my face could collide against the marble floor.

“Good heavens⁠—”

His hands were firm and yet gentle as he pulled me to my feet.

“I’m so sorry,” I rubbed at my temple. “That does not bode well for today.”

Julian wrapped an arm low around my waist, holding me steady as I swayed.

“It appears the kitchen gossip is alive and well.”

I bit my lip as my eyes roved over his broad frame. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I’m afraid my lack of sleep has made me out of sorts.”

“There’s no need to apologize, Princess. But I’m not letting you go for the moment.” He met my gaze and smiled at me with a sort of disarming charm.

“Aren’t you supposed to write down my answers?” I glanced down at the parchment on a thin board he had dropped to catch me.

“I think I will remember whatever you have to say just fine,” he muttered so quietly I almost didn’t hear him.

My legs felt like the gelatinous dessert they favored in the capital as I swayed again, but he just held me tighter.

“Are you well?” Julian asked, his brow raised precariously high on the unmarred side of his face.

“Is that one of the questions?” I asked.

“No,” Julian smirked. “Just one friend asking another.”

I squeezed my lips into a thin line, unwilling to meet his eyes as I asked, “And are we—friends?”

I chanced a glance at him to see a soft smile stretch across his face. “I would like to think so. Take a turn about the room with me?”

I grinned and nodded. “In that case, no—I’m not alright. I truly didn’t sleep a wink all night.”

“Oh?” Julian asked, a gleam I took for concern brightening his dark eyes. His strong arm never left my waist, however, and I found myself leaning into his touch. “Is there something wrong with your accommodations?”

Zuri’s warning replayed in my mind. Even if Julian was a friend, he still worked for the Prince and I needed to be careful about how I answer.

“Heavens no!” I replied as I stiffened. “I think—I think I just miss home is all.”