Chapter 13: Mia

Had he returned here or had he gone ahead and climbed over the wall after I’d left? I’m not sure which of the two I preferred. Then I became annoyed with myself. Why should I care if he’s here or not?

I’ve never had any interest in a suitor or given much thought to a future marriage, though it was customary for girls my age to become betrothed.

Father has been very good at allowing me to make my own decisions when it comes to that. And besides, my brothers and my best friend were pretty good at keeping all interested parties away. If it was up to them I’m afraid I’d never wed whether I wanted to or not.

Speaking of which. I turned to mother when she took a break from conversing with the person on the other side of her. “I don’t understand why Des couldn’t stay with us.”

“The rules of the palace are quite different from at home. As part of your father’s retinue he must stay with the others.”