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“I don’t do anything with orange. My cat doesn’t like the smell.”
“You have a real cat? Or some other naked guy with ears?”
Rainier laughed. “It’s an actual cat. Inky’s around somewhere.”
“What about wolver flower?”
Rainier squirted some of that into the tub while it filled, and once Felix got into the water, he knew he was pushing things now. Mum was probably already seated downstairs, and he could imagine her tapping her silk-slippered foot under the High Table. She was always early and expected the same of him even though there was no point.
He crouched by the edge of the tub. “I have to go downstairs. You can go through my closet room and wear whatever you want, okay? I’ll try to hurry back up, and until then, do whatever you like, but don’t leave the rooms, all right? Are you hungry?”
“Yeah.”
“What do you like to eat? I'll tell a servant, and she'll leave a tray in the antechamber."
“I’m not fussy,” said Felix.
“Keep the door cracked since Inky is allowed to come and go as he pleases for the most part.”
"I will. Thanks, Prince Rainier.”
“Remember, it’s just Rainier now.”
“Okay.”
He hated leaving Felix all by himself so soon, but he was likely already going to hear it. He rang a bell in the sitting room so a servant would know to come, and he told her he’d have a guest who would need regular meals.
Inky had probably found a nice nook somewhere to nap. He'd come around at some point. Rainier hurried downstairs and entered the Hall at a sedate pace like he hadn’t been rushing. Mum was at her usual space at the High Table.
“You’re late,” she snapped.
“I had something to do,” he said.
“More important than your family?”
“Where’s Aunt Betty and Natalie?” He assumed they were doing something in their rooms.
“They’re coming.”
Of course, they wouldn’t get squawked at. The Hall they usually ate in wasn’t the primary one since Mum said using the big one was a waste. She hadn’t allowed a court in three years, so the smaller one was better.
Rainier sat and tried to take a deep breath without being noticeable about it. He hated eating in front of others, but it wasn't like he had much of a choice.
“I hope the salad is better than last night," she said. "The vegetables weren’t so crisp.”
Dear Elira, he was so sick of salad.
“Where’s Lance?” asked Mum. "I haven't seen him."
“I had him arrested,” said Rainier.
“For what?!”
“He beat up someone from the whorehouse last night.”
“Why on Ymir’s dirt would he do that?” Her dangly silver earrings quivered with indignation. "He didn't seem like the violent sort."
“I don’t know, Mum. Why does anyone do sick stuff like that?” He hadn't suspected anything either. "Some people are good at hiding a foul streak."
