"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about the Duke of Anjou."
At the mention of Herbert, Lina's expression changed slightly.
Julian noticed immediately and lowered his voice. "He's determined to deal with me, isn't he? And tell me, Your Majesty, do you truly intend to let him control you forever? I happen to have a few ideas about how you might avoid that fate."
Lina's eyes narrowed. She was already preparing to reprimand him for his presumptuousness when Julian leaned closer and whispered something into her ear.
Lina suppressed her irritation, but the Duke of Champagne's words did not suddenly earn him her trust. After spending the entire evening speaking with people who smiled sweetly while concealing their true intentions, she had become thoroughly exhausted by the endless political performances. Everyone seemed suspicious, yet everyone also appeared capable of displaying an astonishing amount of sincerity whenever it suited them.
