The Rose and the Balloon: A Beauty and the Beast Story (Once Upon a Twist Tales Book 1) by Kirsten Fichter

Author:Kirsten Fichter [Fichter, Kirsten]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2016-08-01T23:00:00+00:00

SIX

“Ah, Prince Dmitri! There you are!”

Dmitri suppressed a wince. He gave an apologetic nod to the minister of the flora show and turned to face the newcomer. “Adam! What are you doing here?”

The duke's son gave a respectful bow, red hair flapping. “My father wished to speak to the Lord Roux, and as any son should, I accompanied him. I did not think I could pass up such a wonderful opportunity to see you.”

“And I am glad you took that opportunity,” Dmitri said, though he wished quite the opposite.

“If you are not busy,” Adam looked behind the prince to the flora show minister, “I would like to speak to you for just a minute.”

“Of course,” Dmitri nodded again to the minister who backed away gracefully. The plans for the show could wait for a minute. Once he was out of earshot, Dmitri looked back to Adam. “Is something wrong?”

“Oh, no! No! I only meant to inquire after Janelle, but I did not wish to make an issue of it. You know how some people will talk, what with her having been with both of us.”

“She's fine.”

“And you are coming along splendidly in your courtship?”

The prince fought the urge to grind his teeth. “As well as can be expected.”

Adam smiled. “She is a beauty, is she not?”

Dmitri thought back to his happier mental images of Janelle – her smile as she told stories with Nicoline, her ready laugh when she shared a joke with Nicolas, even her understanding eyes as she kindly listened to his mother's crazy comments. She was easily one of the prettiest girls in Rohesia, with her glossy brown hair and pretty features, but there was more there that went further than what was on the outside. Yes, she was a beauty, and a rare one at that.

“My prince?”

“What?” Dmitri hadn't realized Adam was still talking.

“Have you arranged the date for the wedding?”

“Oh,” he looked down at his hands. “Not yet. We... we wanted to wait until after the flora show to make any plans.”

Adam tapped the side of his rather large nose. It really was a pity that he hadn't inherited his father's handsome looks. “Astute, my prince. Very astute. I know I shouldn't say this, but I am rather jealous of your good fortune. Janelle would make any man a wonderful bride, and you just happened to catch her eye.”

Dmitri coughed. “I really didn't...”

But Adam wasn't paying attention. “We were always friends, and now I am saddened to see her moving on, but I know she'll be happy.”

The Crown Prince chose not to respond to that.

Adam talked on for a few more minutes, much to Dmitri's dismay. He was even eager to return to the flora show plans by the time the duke's son showed himself out. The minister could sometimes try his patience, but there was always the promise of escape later on. Dmitri's hand fell to his belt to touch the metal ring that lay there, the tangible part of that promise. He started suddenly, and the minister looked at him curiously.

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