Fake Princess
CHAPTER 55
“ No, I didn't do it,” finally Devan said. “ I didn't say anything to them. You forget, Amelia, just a few months away I'm eighteen. Looks like my parents felt I should, how my father said it, ‘fulfill the craving for crawling inside me’ before putting together life as a proper adult. Lately they let me be pretty wild.”
“ Didn't before,” grunts me.
Devan puts his shoulders. “ These past few days they are quite happy to see me doing something, besides frowning & fussing in the room. I do it often while you're away.”
“ I thought you kissed Miss Ivia while I was away.”
Devan leaned over the table, and rolled one eye at me. “ Yes, but only one time, very unfortunate.” Devan shifted, as if to lean back again, but then he said, more seriously, “ In fact, as long as you were not around I languished. & especially after, um, our meeting in Treb. My parents threatened to take me to the Rithia family's resting house, to find out if the fresh air there could wake me from despair.
That's when I kissed Miss Ivia. I think a scandal could prove that I'm still the same as I used to be, and make sure they don't bother me. I was hoping maybe you'd find me, need me, even after everything that happened, & I don't want you to find me not here.”
The warmth slipped into the cracks between my bones, sweet as honey. I gulped, not sure what to say. “ Your poor parents must be confused,” I finally said. “ All your life you never get sick even a day.”
“ Oh, they know the cause. They only guessed.” Devan stopped talking, a playful smile fell on his face. “ Do you want more drinks? I'll order again, so I can get it for you if you want.”
I nodded, looking at him as he slipped between the tables towards the bar, Devan leaned over the counter, chatting with the servant girl who had slashed out two new cups. Devan came back, carrying a drink, with happy steps.
“ The girl said there was a group of magic players staying at the Flower inn. Tomorrow they will be performing at the market just before dusk. If Paula doesn't need your help, maybe we can watch them.”
“ What, My Rose Petals?” His face showed a puzzled expression, but I knew the truth.
“ After I'm gone. You said they knew why you were sad, but they guessed..” I let the sentence hang, while raising an eyebrow with a questioning expression.
Devan sighed, then pushed the cup towards me. “ They wish I could be friends with him. Wish I'd forgotten you.”
The warmth disappeared, replaced by the formation of fragile ice. “ With Diana.”
“ Yes.”
I grabbed my cup and managed to spill the liquid on the table while lifting it up. I'm not sure if I want to know the answer, but I don't think I can hold back. “ & did you do it? Friends with him?”
Devan looks troubled. He looked at his cup, then gulped it down enough to choke. His eyes water, then he said, “ You could say so. She's good, Amelia. He grew up in a Abbey, but you wouldn't expect him. He's good. & my dad wants to make sure I don't. My father says everyone knows how close I am to you, and our family will be harmed if I am deemed to dislike the princess. So, I come every time he invites some of us to play in the hall or the streets. & he has also heard your story, & me, sometimes he is asking.”
Seriate