Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
The dark-haired guard shakes his head, and I note the servant he likes has gone to fetch more glasses. “With all due respect, Your Highness, why waste time reinventing the wheel? We used to sacrifice prisoners to appease Heartbreak—”
“Which would be a great alternative to overcrowding prisons and banishment,” his friend adds.
“—Lord Larkin Nightweed was the first to find an alternative. Dark Companions and their powerful shadows are more than enough to chase the beast back into the ocean every time.”
Sylvan rubs his face, as if he forgot he’s wearing kohl around the eyes, and when he relaxes his arms, there are dark smudges on his cheekbones, which… actually make him look kind of mysterious. If I was into mini goth dudes pent-up with anger and self-righteousness. In my world, he’d probably be fighting fossil fuels or something, and be just as annoying about it.
“That is how we lost our former Lord and many knights seven years ago. Maybe it could have been prevented. So many creatures live in the same waters as Heartbreak yet survive. We should be actively looking for other solutions!”
The guard who watched the pretty girl shakes his head, and I’m shocked at the realization that he doesn’t even bother to hide his incredulous smile. “Your Highness, do you truly believe you can stop a curse so old we don’t even know its true origin? A curse countless others have fought over millennia? By putting some pearls on the beach? It’s futile.”
Despite the guards calling Sylvan Your Highness, the look they exchange would be crushing to anyone’s ego.
Worse yet, I’m finally caught eavesdropping. One of the men meets my gaze over Sylvan’s head. “I, for one, am very happy that our Lord is finally claiming a Dark Companion. Time for us all to also try our luck at the River of Souls. I’d drink to that if I weren’t on the job…”
I think he’s prompting me to butt in and allow it this one time, but I am not going to do that after witnessing the attempt on Kyran’s life.
Called out, I step closer, because there’s no use pretending I didn’t overhear the conversation. Sylvan glares at me as if I was the dam holding him back from convincing everyone to research alternative ways to fight off Heartbreak. I guess he is not completely wrong, since the royals would have to come up with new ideas if I wasn’t here.
I haven't seen much of him outside some official occasions, and the execution of his sister (which he likely blames me for too). It’s unnerving that I’m not sure what kind of person he is. With his silver hair, he reminds me of a tiny, yet very sharp needle, which could slide under my nail and poison my blood.
He doesn’t even bother to smile as his sapphire eyes settle on my face, and instead nods, as if I’m not worthy of listening to his voice.
I suppose entertaining hunky guards is more important than convincing the Lord’s Dark Companion of anything. If he really wants to implement change, I’m the person to befriend.
But I need to make allies too, not scorn him, so I step closer and pick a glass of milkshake from a tray passing us by in the hands of a servant boy with a particularly pert butt. Seems that the guard who previously watched the girl is an equal opportunity ogler.
“You should talk to Kyranis next week. He’s grateful for the way you helped Tristan at the hunt.”
There. Me, the sly diplomat.
Learned all about restaurant politics at Best Burger Bonanza.
Sylvan’s small yet plump mouth opens, as if my support was the last thing he expected. He looks almost like one of those modern artist’s dolls, with perfect features and hair like silk, and I’m only slightly jealous.
“Next week? Prince Sylvan will probably be fishing for a pretty human, like the rest of us,” the guard who tried to flirt with Sylvan says.
Sylvan’s face reddens, but he purses his lips. “Why would I debase myself in such a way, risk my life at that, when there are other ways—” he stops talking when he notices his blunder. “Good day. Enjoy the celebration, Luke. After all, it has been organized at great cost to the Nocturne Court.”
Meaning: We spent money on importing your burgers when we could have funded my study.
With that, he slinks away before anyone has a chance to answer, and his swishing cape hits me in the thigh.
I groan in exasperation, but I guess I did make an attempt at what will be a long road to peace with the Goldweeds. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with the guards, I walk away but still hear them whisper to each other as I walk away.
“Sylvan needs a dick in his mouth if he’s to ever shut up about all that alchemy bullshit.”