Chapter 7. Secrets and Schemes

Lolo Nerina raised her eyes, fixing her stare at the man she was supposed to marry, who sat peering at her with narrowed eyes.

Wondering if he had already begun to suspect her, she cleverly schooled her expression into one of obeisance, affection, and humility, as she had practiced many times over the years.

The prince noticed the almost imperceptible change in Nerina's countenance but it was so quick that he thought he must have imagined it.

"The festivities will now begin in the great hall!" The royal herald announced as guards on both the upper and lower levels led the crowd out the main doors and to the great hall for the proper celebrations, with the emperor, Daegal, Nerina, and Chief Topher leaving last surrounded by the emperor's personal guards.

Nerina hooked her arm around Daegal's, who stiffened at her touch but made no move to detach his arm from her grasp. 

It was his duty to be kind and receptive to the woman he was supposed to marry.<