Her cheeks burn in humiliation, the crass word snapping her back to reality. She snatches the handkerchief from him, quickly dabbing at her nose. The fantasy she'd constructed crumbles into dust, replaced by a very real and very tangible embarrassment.
Princess Ayslin extends the handkerchief back but hesitates, her eyes pleading. "Can I… keep it?"
Lord Azryn glances between her and the plain handkerchief, his lips curling in amusement. "If you wish."
Beaming, she clutches it tightly to her chest.
"I thought I heard a puppy whimpering, but it turns out to be a princess." He rests one arm on his knee, tilting his head down. "Who in the imperial palace dared to make the only lineal Princess of Aushasal cry?"
"It's nothing," Princess Ayslin murmurs, hiding her puffy eyes. Then her eyes light up. "But how do you know who I am?"
Lord Azryn leans back. "Who in the imperial palace wouldn't know the Emperor's favored daughter, Princess Ayslin?"