Page 119 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“You must have golden eyes to inherit a princely title. Children of blood princesses traditionally don’t, so when I was born with the eyes of both Sada and Nantis, it was decided that I would receive the treatment of a Prince of Nantis since I was born a prince of the empire anyway.”
“That makes sense.” I wanted to ask more about the maternal side of his family, but now wasn’t the time. Besides, my curiosity about his gorgeous eyes had been satiated. “Tell me about the ring.”
“I thought you’d ask more about Nantis.”
“Mm. I will later. I’d like to hear more about your mother.”
“Wait until we return to Stein. Some things are better left unsaid in the empire.” He smiled.
Damn it.
What was it I said about my curiosity being satiated?
“I’ll tell you about the ring instead. This ring was given to her by my grandfather, King Agnellus, when she turned sixteen. It was technically a part of her dowry when she married my father and became property of the Imperial Family, but Father put it for safekeeping to give to me when I was ready to use it.”
“I think I’m a little afraid to wear it,” I said, looking at it. “It’s obviously very important to you.”
“Yes. That’s why I’ve given it to you.”
“But I—”
Knock knock.“Your Highness, Lady Alicia, we’ve arrived.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A Not-So-Welcome Ball
Kalon exited the carriage first and turned to offer me his hand, which I accepted. There was a different air about the guards and other servants we passed on our way into the villa, and I didn’t know if it was the feeling of deference or just Kalon’s overwhelmingly strong presence, but it hit me.
He was aroyal.
As far removed from the Imperial Palace as he lived his life, no matter how hard the Empress tried to push him out, he was still the First Imperial Prince of the Sada Empire.
Wait. Did that mean I would technically become a princess on the slim chance we got married? I was so used to thinking of him as the Grand Duke that I hadn’t considered that little nugget.
Hmm.
“Nervous?” he asked, leaning in.
“Little bit,” I whispered back.
“What happened to the confident woman who talked back to me even though I threatened to kill her on our first meeting?”
“She just realised she’s entering through the Imperial Family’s entrance, and everyone is going to be looking at her, so she’s taking a short break.”
He pressed his fist to his mouth, and I swore it was to mask a laugh.
The double doors in front of us swung open, and I drew in a deep breath as we took a step forwards.
“Introducing His Imperial Highness, Prince Kalon, the Grand Duke of Stein and First Prince of the Sada Empire, and his fiancée, Lady Alicia Vermillion.”
Huh.
My announcement was kind of… lame. Kind of like ordering a flat white coffee in a coffee shop right after someone just ordered a double-shot-triple-whatsit-pump-something with thirty different syrups.
Just as I’d suspected, all eyes were on us. It was just like when I’d entered the spring ball with my family, but somehow, this wassomuch worse. Each gaze was like a dagger pricking at my skin, and I dug down deeper than I ever had just to make sure I could focus on every step and didn’t trip on our way down the stairs.
Kalon leant in close to me. “Look to the right, between the third and fourth pillars, in front of the white roses by the terrace doors.”
