Efren, the previous day
“Sir?”
Efren startled when Dru slunk around the corner as he approached the dining hall for the evening meal.
“Ah, yes, Dru. Is everything in place?”
“Yes, sir. Will you require assistance when you retire this evening, or should Erich and I make ourselves scarce?”
“Wonderful. Thank you.” Efren nodded. “Scarce, I think, would strike a more romantic note.”
“Very well.” Dru smiled and backed away. “Enjoy your evening, sir. I will see you in the morning.”
Marcelo was already seated in the dining hall. He looked up when Efren entered and blushed prettily when they locked gazes.
Efren sat and gave Marcelo a light, dining-hall-friendly kiss.
Marcelo tipped his head inquiringly. “Why do you look so much like the cat that got the cream?”
“Because I am reminded every time I see you that I am the cat that got the sweetest cream in the cellar.”
“Thank you, dearest.” Marcelo tittered a soft laugh. “But I believe you do have something up your sleeve.”
Marcelo’s laughter never failed to ping Efren’s heart. Efren grinned and made a show of looking up his sleeve. “Goodness, what is that?”
But before Efren could push the lighthearted humor enough to get a proper, full-bellied laugh out of Marcelo, the king entered. Conversation stilled, and everyone stood until he took his seat at the head, then servants stepped around the table, filling plates.
“I must say.” King Alnod leveled his gaze on Efren. “I’m feeling a bit nostalgic, and perhaps a little regretful to be missing the tour this year.”
The tour of the realm was still on. That subject had been brought up earlier in the day, looking for final opinions regarding the safety of Efren and Marcelo traveling within Zioneven before the culprits behind the attack in Sheburat and during their journey to Zioneven were positively identified and shown to be no longer a threat.
The consensus was that although they hadn’t yet been able to prove who the guilty party was, whoever they were knew that their plans had been dashed. The rulers in all four realms knew what was going on so further attack would be pointless.
Everyone agreed that traveling into the other realms was still too risky, but a journey within Zioneven should be low risk. They and the security contingent would be traveling relatively swiftly via horseback only, and the princes would be indoors each night at trusted inns and homes.
“I’m sorry, Father,” Efren said. “I know how much you enjoy connecting with Zioneven’s citizens. I’m torn between knowing I shall miss your enthusiasm and guidance, and pride in being trusted to lead the annual tour myself.”
The king chuckled. “I think young Marcelo’s zeal shall offset the loss admirably.”
Marcelo gave Efren’s hand a squeeze before saying, “I am exceedingly keen to meet citizens from around your beautiful kingdom and to view with my own eyes the settings of Efren’s tales.”
Merewina laughed. “Indeed. I’ve only gone along on a few of Father’s annual tours, but I have such fond memories.”
“Mostly of the food.” Efren nudged her foot under the table. “You still wax poetic about the specialties of different regions.”
“I am eating for two now, so it should not be surprising.”
Triston winked. “Although, it is a mite inconvenient when you conjure up a craving for hazelnut wibbles—but only those made using hazelnuts from Hollow Point Farms, and using their proprietary recipe, mind you—in the middle of the night.”
“Inconvenient for whom?” Merewina sniffed—although a gleam of good humor remained in her eyes. “It’s not as if anyone—” she arched a lone eyebrow and looked pointedly at Triston “—has saddled up their horse at midnight to journey to the border after them.”
“In my defense—and experience thus far—the craving would be over and replaced by a different one long before I could make the round trip.”
Merewina blew her husband a kiss. “I know, my love. You are wonderful for putting up with my mood swings. And I greatly appreciate that you have arranged delivery of my favorites that travel well. The long distances involved are not your doing.”
Indeed, Triston had made such arrangements several times over the past year since marrying Merewina. It was his actions that had given Efren the idea to arrange a special order of Nutter Buzzers from Sheburat for Marcelo.
The balance of supper and after-supper conversation and games passed in a blur as Efren’s thoughts looked forward to Marcelo’s reaction when he entered their suite and saw the Nutter Buzzers, berries, and wine Dru and Erich had set up. At least he assumed Erich might have been filled in on the surprise now that it was imminent.