Ch. 18: Third Wheel

Hayward considered doing something cheeky, like staying to watch her dress, but thought better of it. The parting kiss was enough. He needed to return to his room and change anyway.

Dantares just shook his head at all the smooching. “You know, your father hardly laid a hand on your mother while they were courting. They were quite dignified about the whole matter.”

“That’s because she couldn’t stand him,” Hayward shot back. He hooked a thumb toward the princess. “She likes me.”

The older man rolled his eyes. “Children,” he muttered.

Elissa had to laugh at she likes me. She did. She hated to admit it, but she did. Were they courting? Was this a thing now? Or was he just making comparisons? She was pretty sure neither of them had actually said they were courting.

“I’ll be down shortly. I just have to get dressed...” she made her way to her closet in the room's corner, passing by Sasha who had been sleeping thr