Reunited

*Rafe*

Servants scurry around, preparing for the king’s return. For Ainslee’s return.

I somehow managed to be productive one late night after taking hold of myself in the shower while daydreaming about Ainslee. That meant the paperwork on my desk is far less daunting, and King Axel might even be impressed with how I’ve held down the fort.

Perhaps if he’d been more impressed with me, I would be the one marrying Ainslee and ascending the throne. But, it was a task ‘too important’ to be left to me.

Fucking political alliances.

I kick a pillar and regret it immediately as pieces of marble tumble to the floor. That’ll need to be cleaned up and patched.

“Problem?” Sophie asks, descending the stairs next to me.

“More than you can count,” I say through my teeth. “But that’s the prince’s lot, right?”

Sophie looks at me askance. “I don’t think it’s your princely duties that are bothering you.”

My blood freezes. Could she know? “What do you think is bothering me, then?”

“Ainslee.” Sophie’s expre