Page 40 of Mermaid on Heels
Someone cleared their throat next to her and Liriya paused, turning to look at the person. Princess Aeira stood a few feet away from them, holding her golden fan below her chin.
“A remarkable evening, is it not?”
“It is,” Liriya responded, a little surprised, because when she tried to smile earlier, her royal highness had been grumpy.
Princess Aeira smiled and introduced herself. “Princess Aeira of Garbia.”
Liriya smiled back. “Liriyalda of Pearltuna,” she said and gestured to Bianca, “And my friend, Bianca of Ornwall.”
Princess Aeira turned her gaze to Bianca and acknowledged her with a nod. “I wish I knew where these places are, though,” she remarked with a laugh lacing her melodic voice. “Is it around here or far away?”
“Ornwall is only a mile away, Your Highness. I hope you will be able to pay our humble town a visit during your stay,” Bianca said with a polite smile and exchanged a meaningful glance with Liriya that saidwhat are you going to say about Pearltuna?
It was your idea in the first place. I was completely fine to go by Ornwall.Liriya wished her friend could hear her thoughts.
“I’ll be sure to add that to my list, thank you, Bianca.” Princess Aeira turned back to Liriya with a smile. “What about your place, Liriyalda? Pearltuna, is it not? What a remarkable name! I’m sure the place is as unique as its name. Where is it located?”
Though her words held keenness, Princess Aeira’s eyes spoke otherwise; the smile on her lips barely touched them, and with her mask on, she had no difficulty in faking her friendliness. Liriya immediately realized that the young princess saw her as competition to win King Luke’s hand.
“Pearltuna is indeed a remarkable place, true to its name. But it is far away.”
Princess Aeira tilted her head, confused. “How far?”
“It is—”
“Really far, Aeira. If you ask for an estimate, I might need to run to the library and get the map for you.”
Liriya turned and saw Cedric standing on the other side of the refreshment table, with a wine glass in his hand. He smiled at the three of them, his brown eyes full of mischief.
“Dear Lord Cedric. How do you fare this evening?” Princess Aeira smiled sweetly at him.
Lord Cedric?Liriya looked between the royals in bewilderment.Is that how a second Prince meant to be called here?
“Quite well, Princess, thank you. I hope you’re enjoying yourself?”
“Much better. As you can see, I was making acquaintance with Lady Liriyalda and her friend here. I thought it would be pleasant to get to know my competitor.”
Liriya’s eyes widened at her blunt words and she looked at Cedric, who seemed to share the same shock. However, he composed himself immediately and chuckled. “Already declaring yourself myexpectedfuture sister-in-law, I see.”
“What are we if we don’t have a little confidence in ourselves?” Princess Aeira shrugged with a laugh, pleased with her words. “By the way Ced, have you found a beautiful lady for yourself yet?”
Cedric shook his head with a smile. “No, I have been quite busy entertaining myself watching my brother dance.” He threw a wink Liriya and Bianca’s way and continued, “Speaking of which, I’m missing the fun right now. But since you happened to have noticed my absence on the dance floor,” he paused and lent a hand to Liriya, “Lady Liriyalda, will you let me have this dance?”
His eyes locked with hers meaningfully. Realizing that he was trying to get her out of the room like King Luke told her, Liriya set her glass on the table and placed her hand on his, smiling. “Sure, my lord.”
Cedric led her towards the dance floor away from Princess Aeira while Bianca excused herself to go back to Gezer. Liriya’s eyes widened slightly when she realized that heactuallymeant to dance with her and tugged at his hand to stop him.
“I must confess I cannot dance. I am extremely clumsy,” she said and blushed when Cedric tilted his head at her.
Cedric’s lips twitched into a smirk in amusement. “I’m not buying that. Come along, yourladiness.”
“No, I am serious. I did not touch the ground when your brother led the dance. I was—Heheld me.”
“What?” Cedric released a laugh, surprised. “You could’ve fooled me. Really?”
“You could ask him if you do not believe me.” She bet her cheeks looked like apples now.
“No, I think I believe you.” Cedric sighed, the mischievous glint in his eyes melting into one of earnestness. “And something tells me I’m looking at my future sister-in-law.”