Then I caught a snippet of conversation from beyond the large hedge. âLady NoraâŚâ The voice was unmistakably Reliasâs. I stopped walking, startled by the tone of concern saturated in those two tiny words.
âDo you want them to join us?â Prince Mito whispered, having also stopped.
I shook my head, gesturing for him to lead the way along the wandering path. Despite my initial thought to mind my own business, curiosity soon overtook me. Just as the hedgerow abruptly concluded, I glanced around the bend. There they were, nestled in an intimate setting at a table meant for two, sharing a pot of tea accompanied by an artfully arranged spread of small loaves of bread and cheeses. They were positioned unusually close, with Noraâs expression strangely serious. She exhaled a deep sigh, extending her right hand towards him. Relias tenderly clasped it with both of his, pausing momentarily before locking eyes with her, murmuring words too soft for me to decipher.
I gasped and drew back behind the hedge, only to bump into Prince Mito.
âOhhâŚâ he hummed quietly, giving me a look of abject yet unnecessary pity.
I shot him an intense glare, my finger pressing against my lips, demanding silence. He bobbed his head in response and changed direction sharply, stepping over a few small shrubs so we wouldnât be caught eavesdropping.
âIâm sure that wasnât what we thought it was,â I declared hotly once we were out of earshot. âThings like that always get misconstrued!â
âOf course they do,â he agreed readily, his eyes still apologetic. âDonât worry, I wonât say anything.â
âBecause thereâs nothing to be said!â I reiterated with a stomp of my foot.
Itâs good that theyâre getting closer⌠and Iâm not at all jealous. And whatâs that saying⌠opposites attract?
âNo,â I muttered as we made our way toward a three-sided glass greenhouse, annoyed that His Haughtiness had put such ridiculous ideas in my head. There was most likely a very reasonable explanation for what we had seen, and even if there wasnât, it was none of my business. All I have to do is make sure I don't act all weird about it.
