THE KING'S POSSESSION
Every time he leaned in to say something, she would subtly shift away, but the prince was nothing if not persistent.
As they turned a corner, Raphael suddenly paused, pointing out a rare flower growing along the edge of the path. “Ah, look at this, Princess Isabella!” he exclaimed, guiding her closer to the bloom. “Isn’t it magnificent? Just like you.”
Tristan nearly gagged from his hiding spot. “Oh, please,” he whispered, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. “This guy’s laying it on thick.”
Isabel, trying to maintain her composure, nodded at the flower with a gracious smile. “It’s beautiful, Your Highness,” she replied, though her voice hinted at mild amusement at Raphael’s over