Chapter 36

"You won't catch me off guard with comments like that anymore, Your Highness." Lia sighed and took a seat, unfazed by Ian's provocative words. "What brings you all here, anyway?"

"Your name came up earlier," Wade replied with a laugh. "I was most curious to see you dressed as a woman! So I persuaded them to come here."

"Please stop teasing me, Your Highness," Lia retorted. "Rest assured, I didn't dress as a woman of my own will." She felt strangely comfortable around the three men—perhaps because she had dealt with the trio once before.

Ian moved to the seat next to Lia, grinning at her reactions. Claude showed no visible response, save a twitch in his eye.

The air was seemingly calm around the small group, but Marilyn was anxious out of her mind for suddenly having to host the Crown Prince and Ian Sergio, the Prince of Gaior, in her father's stead.

She rushed over with her attendants to the canopied area, and the gentlemen stood to greet her.