Chapter 80

We kept silent as we crossed the vast garden of House Vecchio together.

She must have offered to show me the way because she had something to say.

There was no need for me to speak first, so I let myself fall half a step behind her and took in the garden instead.

The spot where we'd had the tea party had been heavily decorated by the servants, full of low, trimmed grasses, but here it was mostly tall trees.

That was when Lady Vecchio, who had kept silent until now, abruptly spoke up.

"I hear His Highness the Crown Prince asked you to dance first?"

So the Crown Prince had come up after all. I'd been right — I'd been invited here because dancing with him had drawn attention.

"Ah, yes. It happened quite by chance."

"By chance, is it..."

How much farther did we have to walk before…