The crowd stirred just as he did. Whispers spread quickly. Men watched with eyes filled with desires as she walked forward, gracefully, her gown flowing behind her. They were clearly taken with her more than with her more than the first princess, because the truth was, while she was merely a daughter of a concubine, she was beautiful in such a way it was hard to look away from her.
Alas, she was not the crown princess.
Viviana stood before her father and deeply curtised, then to the assembly. The king held no emotion. But it didn't affect her. She was used to it. Everyone knew she was unfavored like her step sister.
She was about to turn, only to pause. Someone was staring at her. Hard at that and unwilling to look away.
Nikolas had thrown away whatever courtesy he had shown his mate. He was watching the woman before him with a focus that didn't waver. Because if there was something he would admit in this moment, it was how fast his heart was racing.
