Page 101 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
My mouth was dry as I met his eyes, and any argument I had died on my tongue at the sincerity in his gaze. “I… Uh… It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
He smiled. “That’s the response I was looking for.”
“When did you do this?”
“The necklace? I had the set commissioned before I left for the Baldor expedition, once I’d received the acceptance of my proposal from your father. I hoped it would be done in time for the hunt.”
“Did you design this? And wait, is that why the designer at the boutique insisted on a sweetheart neckline for my gown?”
“Yes, I designed it.”
Was there anything this man couldn’t do? It was criminally unfair to all other men.
“And yes, that’s the reason. She’d already seen the design of the necklace, and by the time we visited, I’d been told it would be ready. I had them collected this morning.”
“Wow.” I stared back down at the necklace again. “Again, thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever been given something this beautiful.”
“Get used to it. I plan to give you many more just like this.”
I blushed.
Damn it.
“I’m slightly scared to touch it.” I closed the box and tentatively put it back on the table. “I don’t know what else to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything.” The warmth of Kalon’s smile reached his eyes, and my stomach did a loop-the-loop at the sight of it.
Oh.
He was dangerous to my health.
No wonder Alicia Vermillion fell in love with him in every lifetime. Even when he was a bastard, I’d bet he was a charming one.
“Are you ready to leave tomorrow?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I was, but now I’ll have to have Bella pack this.” I touched the box. “When are we leaving?”
“Early morning. It’ll take us around five hours to get to the palace from the magic circle site. I also found out this morning that my father would like to have dinner with us tomorrow night, so we’re in for a long day.”
Dinner with the Emperor?
“Will the Empress be there?” I asked hesitantly.
“No, and neither will the Crown Prince. If it makes a difference at all, I think he wishes to meet with us as my father, not the Emperor.” Kalon sat back and reached one arm along the back of the sofa. “He’s a bit of a romantic, so I’m sure he just wants to be nosy.”
“Romantic men don’t entertain having more than one wife at the same time.”
“That’s what I’ve told him, but he once insisted it was because he had too much romance for one woman.” He shook his head. “If it makes you feel better, I have no intention of taking another wife.”
“What about a mistress? Doesn’t the Emperor have those?”
“Three.” Kalon tilted his head to the side. “But what makes you ask if I would take a mistress? Didn’t I make myself clear the other day?”
“Oh, I see. You’re a one-woman man because otherwise, you’d have no room for the heads of all the enemies you’d have to slay.”
His lips pulled up on one side. “I see you have me all figured out.”
“It wasn’t terribly difficult.” I reached for my teacup. “So, tell me, Mr. Faithful, how many marriage proposals did you turn down before me?”
