a gray light over the gardens.
She still hadn’t told him how she felt—she suspected he needed more time to process all that had happened. This…overworking seemed to prove her suspicions, even if a tiny voice in her wondered if she was doing exactly what Princess Gwendafyn and Lady Tari had said not to do and was hiding behind the potential embarrassment.
“The Fulton investigation is over.” Myth’s voice broke the stillness of his study as they were the only two inside—Arvel’s designated guards all stood outside in the hallway.
Arvel finally looked up from his work and rubbed his eyes. “Sorry, what was that?”
“The Fulton investigation is over,” she repeated.
“Yes. And?”
Myth tapped her finger on his desk. “Why, then, are you still working?”
Arvel leaned back in his chair and had the grace to look uncomfortable.
“Is there a new, more pressing project King Petyrr gave you that I am unaware of?” Myth asked.
“No.”
“Another investigation, perhaps?”
“No.”
“Then why? No, Arvel, hear me out. Why are you still working at this hour?” Myth stood up so she could slap her palms on his desk and lean over it. “You work like a man possessed. Something must be bothering you.”
Arvel opened and closed his mouth a few times, then laughed. “It seems I can’t keep a secret from you.”
Myth watched him with narrowed eyes. “Is it your mother?”
“What? Heavens—no!”
“You’re not feeling guilty for exiling her?”
Arvel puffed his cheeks out with the power of his exhale. “I didn’t enjoy it, but no, I don’t feel guilty. It was a verdict she deserved.”
“Fine, then what is bothering you?” Myth asked.
Arvel stared at his desk. “I guess I’m just trying to avoid some things. I thought I could keep putting them off…because I don’t know that I could face the consequences right now.”
Myth furrowed her brow, her heart aching as she studied the prince.
He looks…exhausted. He’s been through so much, and to have something new weighing him down? It must be related to his position. Oh—I hope he’s not thinking of marriage candidates. Although I suppose, with Luciee stripped of her rank, he’ll likely need to marry soon to fill the power gap…
That made the pending discussion even less enjoyable to take part in, but to Myth, loving meant doing what was best for the recipient of her love. Even if it meant pain for herself. She cleared her throat and smiled gently. “Can’t it wait?”
Arvel looked up at her, horrified. “Can’t it wait?” he repeated. “No—this isn’t just…no!”
“Then what must we do so you are not so driven to kill yourself with work?” Myth asked.
Arvel stared at her so long, Myth self-consciously shifted in place.
“All right,” he said abruptly. “I’ll do it.”
“Good.” Myth nodded. “Do what?”
Arvel stood and walked around his desk. “Myth?”
“Yes?”
He stopped just in front of her and clasped his hands behind his back. “You’re dismissed from your position.”
Myth’s mouth slackened, and she blinked very slowly. “I beg your pardon?”
“You will no longer fill the role of my social translator.”
Shock, hurt, and disbelief vied for Myth’s attention, but she made her voice bland so she could speak without crying. “May I inquire why I have been dismissed?”
“Yes. Because I love you.”
Apparently, it was possible for Myth to be shocked even farther. “Y-you what?”
“I love you,” he repeated. “And every day—no—every hour we’ve worked together I’ve fallen deeper in love with you.”
Myth was still imitating a fish on land and found that she couldn’t answer.
Arvel didn’t seem to mind, his words pouring out in a beautiful storm. “I never told you why I asked Father to assign you to me as my translator. It was quite selfish of me, but it’s because I thought you were beautiful. But since then I got to know—got to love you—and I know I don’t want a future without you in it. I don’t want a life where you’re not with me. Not standing behind me as my translator, but at my side.” He nervously lifted his hands up over his head, clasping them at his neck. “But, as you like to remind me, even though I knew you were my trusted friend, you work for my family. And I never wanted to put you into a spot where you felt you couldn’t be honest, so I’m dismissing you. Because then you can give me the answer you want.”
He pressed his lips together and watched her with great anxiety.
Myth, however, was finding that for all her language skills, somehow, she still couldn’t use the right words. “I’m…that is to say…”
“Yes?” Arvel dropped