Maid For You

Chapter 35

"What are we getting the Princess?" I asked as soon as we had stepped out of the room. Luke shut the door behind him and leaned heavily against it.

"I have no idea," he whispered. "Truthfully..." He looked at me with enchanting chocolaty eyes. "I had to get out of there."

I smiled more than I meant to. It was one of those uncontrollable grins that spread across your face and you could hardly stop it.

I guess my worries were in vain.

"And I thought you might be enjoying the Princess's attentions!" I hoped my joking tone hid the fact that I had been genuinely concerned.

"Perhaps if she were older..." He squeezed his eyes shut. "But she looks and often acts so young. It's very uncomfortable."

"Hey, Luke, it's only a seven year difference," I joked. "You never know what could happen in a few years."

I'm such an idiot. Way to go and point that out. It was this weird maneuver of mine to deflect my crush's attention toward other girls in an attempt at humor. And it was pretty annoying of me to tell the truth.

Luke laughed, and started walking with me down the hall. "I doubt she'll still be interested in a few years."

So...he's not ruling it out?

"Well..." Let's change the topic. "We have to figure out something to get Princess Calista for now."

"You're right." He ran his hand through his hair. "But what?"

"Let's ask Prince Coleman. He knows his sister better than either of us, I'm sure," I suggested.

Luke said nothing for a couple of seconds, until he finally mustered, "That's a good idea."

"We don't have to, though," I continued, his distaste for the idea showing through his painted smile. "If we put our heads together, we can figure something out ourselves!"

"No, you're right. Prince Coleman may have an idea." Luke smiled weakly.

If you don't want to ask him, just say so! I thought. I've given you a perfect way out!

But no, Luke continued to act reserved and mopey and fake smiley all the way to Prince Coleman's room. My guess was that he hadn't wanted to deal with His Royal Pain in the Behind today, but whatever the reason for his displeasure, he didn't say a thing.

I flung open the door to the Prince's room and marched in. Prince Coleman sat in an armchair while Isabella, who he had requested cover for me, poured him some tea.

"Well, well..." A grin rose on his face. "Miss me already, little maid?"

"Undecided." I shrugged.

"Really? No fiery 'in your dreams, Prince Coleman!'?" He took a sip from his teacup.

"I mean, despite the constant hostility between us, you don't radiate pure hatred and disgust for me like your sister does," I quipped.

"So it's that fun?" Prince Coleman's eyes sparkled. "Well, perhaps my plan for you to be nicer to me is working. However, I didn't expect for you to come crawling back quite so soon."