"At least squirrels are cute. Giants, on the other hand, need a bit of grooming to make that face work."Squirrels are cute.
"I'm happy to put in the effort, from now on, to make my face work. But only if you want me to."
He doesn't do anything to his face!? He wakes up looking this perfect!?Impossible.
While my head's in shambles, my mouth goes completely rogue."No, you're handsome enough. Any more and you could have your own cult."
"I'll have a cult, only if you join it."
He must want me to join his cult so he can make me do something.Well, that is not happening on my watch.
"No, thank you. I have no interest in being a follower of anybody."
"Aw, not even me? But you said I was pretty and handsome."
"Well, I did say that only if you became more handsome, then you'd be able to have your own cult."
The dance is nearing its end.I'm pretty sure I've never danced for this long before.
"Fine, then come to the next banquet and you can see if I've become more handsome or not.If I have, then you grant me a date.If I haven't, then I'll grant you a wish."
A date!?No, thank you.
But I can't say no.If I do, I won't blend in with the crowd—the crowd that's clearly listening in on our conversation.
So instead...
"Fine. I, Princess Cecilia of the Northern Empire, accept this deal."
The music ends on cue.
I swish my dress, turn my back to him and make my swift exit from the scene.Then I hurry off to the resting place, thankful that the Crown Prince doesn't follow me.
People are already lounging around, laughing, gossiping.They're relaxed, their bodies tired.
Which means their mouths are loose.Loose enough for rumors to start.Loose enough for secrets to slip.
Perfect.
After all, this is where the real business goes down.