“It… is…” I leaned closer to her, “awesome!”
“Erm, I’m pleased you think so, your grace,” she replied.
“I totally do!”
“We brew it from apples from our own orchards.”
“Well then, you’re clearly masters at it.” She stared at me like I had three heads so I went on, exclaiming, “I can’t wait to eat!”
“I hope you find it to your liking,” she mumbled, her eyes slowly lighting as she looked at me.
“It can’t not be. If it smells that good, I’m certain it tastes heavenly.”
“We’ve had few complaints,” she informed me, her voice getting stronger, her lips tipping up.
“I bet not,” I replied and finally looked around to see the inside of the pub was as appealing as the outside. I looked back at her. “You have a lovely place here.”
She bobbed again and pink came to her cheeks. “Thank you, your grace.”
I looked back around, noted the pub was filling and my eyes went to her. “Sorry, I’m keeping you from your duties.”
“It’s my honor, your grace.”
Wow.
I smiled at her. “If you get a quiet moment, get yourself a drink and come sit with us,” I invited.
“Bloody hell,” Tor muttered under his breath.
“No funning?” the proprietress breathed, so shocked at my invitation, she didn’t hear Tor.
I shot an irritated Tor a look then rearranged my face to smile at the woman. “No funning. I’m Cora,” I extended my hand to her and she jumped back like it hissed and bared fangs. “It’s okay,” I encouraged her.
She studied me then timidly lifted her hand and her fingers closed around mine as I felt a murmur run through the crowd.
“Liza,” she whispered as my fingers gave hers a friendly squeeze. “Liza Calhoon. My husband Rory and I own this pub.”
“Lovely to meet you,” I let her go and gestured to Noctorno. “My husband, Prince Noctorno.”
Tor glowered at me but composed his features to a benign (but still gorgeous) smile when he turned and inclined his head to Liza.
She bobbed again, dipped her chin low, stayed bobbed down and muttered reverently, “Your grace.”
“Rise,” he murmured and she did.
Uh… wow!
“I’m honored, to be sure,” she told him.
He inclined his head again.
She grinned at him then she grinned at me then she said, “Enjoy your meals.”
“I’m sure we will!” I assured her, her grin turned into a smile and then she twirled and scurried excitedly away.
The minute she did, the crowd’s low murmur rose and this was likely because the future king was in their midst but I didn’t care. My mind was awhirl.
I was a princess. My husband lived in a castle. And there was a huge amount of food right in front of me.