Elias laughed quietly, the sound rich and teasing. "Of course you went and made Maribel your lady-in-waiting," he said, leaning slightly toward me.
I smirked, brushing a lock of hair from my face. "Of course. She doesn't mess around."
He shook his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You're… terrifying."
I pretended to consider it, tapping my chin lightly. "Perhaps. But don't forget—I'm impressed she even agreed."
Maribel, standing nearby with her posture impeccable, arched an eyebrow at me. "Why do you sound surprised, Crown Princess?"
I stepped closer, voice lower, careful with my words "Because you—" I paused, letting my words hang—"agreed."
Her dark brown eyes sparkled. "Because I wanted to know the girl who got engaged to two princes. Usually I'm the one… messing around with someone," she said casually, but her gaze stayed locked on mine, sharp, curious, analyzing every twitch of my expression.
