"No-nothing, Your Majesty." He bowed, keeping his head bowed.
I could almost see the line of sweat run down his back and smiled in pity. "Don't worry about it, Marcus. It was a sensible question. Please, don't let me keep you from your duties."
"Thank you, Sir." He hurried away, the long staff he held thumping behind him as he went.
“Olivia, about the ballroom,” I stopped when I heard the sound of footsteps.
"Reece, you have someone who wishes to see you," Cheval announced. Turning to him, I saw the man who strode in behind him as his words registered.
"Griffith! I didn't think you'd actually truly come." A genuine smile lit my face as both Olivia and Cheval bowed out and walked away.
The older man, King of Artha, walked up and gave me a one-armed hug. "Reece. Nothing could keep me away."
I nodded, feeling the pleasure light my face as I looked upon the only other king of the lot of them I didn't think incompetent, a total bore, or an opportunistic boor. "I didn't think you wanted to marry yet after...." I trailed off, remembering the tragedy that had claimed his wife before they could have any children.
Sadness crossed over his face before he shook it off with a laugh and shook his head. "No, that's not the primary reason I came. I just know you hate parties and what could be more amusing for me than to see you outside your comfort zone?"
"Sadist," I declared with a grimace to the sound of his laughter.
"You bet, old friend. You weren't there when it was held in Artha."
"I wasn't, no. Oshal needed me more." And it was true. I would always put my country first, or at least that was the excuse I always had when confronted with something I truly didn’t want to do.
"No escape tonight, I’m afraid. I'll see you at the Opening Ball."
I sighed because he was right. I had no escape.