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“Oh,” Olympia said aloud, blinking several times, and then more for good measure. She resembled a hesitant rabbit halting in the greens before falling into a trap. “I see. Oh, that’s—”
“We’re due to make an announcement at the end of the month,” Ris continued, unperturbed by Olympia’s reaction. Her dangling earrings clinked as she turned her head slightly to face me. “In the meantime, we appreciate your silence on the matter.”
I slid my hands into my pockets. “I’m not one to gossip.”
“Congratulations!” Olympia blurted, apparently overcoming her momentary shock.
“A royal nest,” I mulled aloud. “We’ve never had a royal nest before.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” Olympia returned, a placating smile making itself known. “This is joyous news.”
“Is it?” I questioned, tilting my head as I assessed the trio in front of me. “Personally, Ris, I share in your joy, but I am worried about the optics.”
“Whatever happened to pleasantries, Zoei?” Olympia muttered under her breath for my ears alone. “Perhaps you could try:may the years ahead be filled with love and joy?”
“People appreciate honesty,” I returned with a frown.
“That’s how you get yourself killed,” she murmured, turning back to the trio. “Please, pay little mind to my ornery companion.”
I bristled.Ornery?
“Zoei’s reaction is why we were so concerned about releasing the news to the public.” It was the first time I’d heard Sage Starquist speak. Her voice was low and calculated, as though she weighed each word before it left her lips. “Optics are everything, especially when it comes to the media, and we have to make targeted moves in order for the announcement to be accepted by our people.”
“Just use your connections in the media,” I said with a shrug. “I assume most of them are in your pockets?”
Olympia jabbed me in the ribs with her elbow as surreptitiously as she could.
“What Zoei means to say is that it would be prudent to control the narrative,” Olympia spoke quickly, trying to cover myfaux pas.“I have a long-standing relationship with Vetri and Agnivale media, if you require some assistance.”
“We might,” Ris agreed with a grateful nod. “But Zoei—I’m curious about your thoughts on our engagement.”
I paused mid-way while reaching for a pitcher of water on a side table.
From the corner of my eyes, I caught Olympia shaking her head slightly in warning.
“What would you like to know?” I inquired, grabbing the crystal pitcher by the neck and pouring out a glass of water. I tilted the pitcher toward the others in offering, but they declined. l
“You said you were worried about the optics,” Sage repeated. “Why?”
I sipped on the water, feeling it cool my body from the inside.
“I foresee several issues,” I stated, tapping a finger against the glass. “The first would be most obvious—Ris, you’re marrying outside royalty. There will undoubtedly be a lot of interest in Sage and Yogi’s backgrounds and why they are worthy of mating a future queen.”
“They are worthy because they love me,” Ris said. “And I love them in return.”
I cleared my throat. “You may want to think of a better reason than that.”
“Better reason than love?” Olympia questioned incredulously. “Why don’t you give us some examples, Zoei?”
“Consolidation of power,” I said automatically. “Burial of past feuds. Transfer of inheritance. Any of those options are better thanlove.”
“Did someone hurt her?” Although whispered, I heard Yogi Sweetwater’s words clear as day.
I pinned Yogi with a glare. “Loveis a fairytale, dear friend, and while some members of the public are susceptible to such frippery, most require a reason for a royal wedding.”
“Love is reason enough,” Olympia insisted, crossing her arms. “To answer your question, Yogi, nobody has hurt Zoei. She hurts herself by thinking of the most painful outcomes to every scenario.”
“It’s called self-preservation,” I quipped. “It’s a good thing to have if you’re running in political circles.”
