Chapter 137

The family dinner ended in precisely the disarray I had hoped for. I returned to Solara Palace with a lightness in my chest.

"You worked hard tonight, Friedrich."

"How could I compare to you, Your Highness."

Friedrich shook his head slightly.

"You were made to hear all manner of unpleasant things. You ought to rinse your ears."

"Yes, I suppose I should. I'll ask Elsa to—"

"Would it be all right if I did it?"

He caught the words before I could finish. I waved a hand and smiled.

"I don't want to make you attend to me like that. You must be tired as well."

"That's precisely why I asked."

Friedrich looked at me steadily as he said it, and for a moment I had no answer.

Before I could recover, he gently took my hand and asked,

"Would that not be all right?"

...Why wouldn't it be?

I…