“The Royal Gardens are notorious for that. Forbidden trysts. Young lords and ladies who are supposed to be dutifully waiting to be told who they will be wed off to… Anything more sinister than that is done with more precaution.” When you saw through lies, you caught plenty of that in simply overhearing the conversations at galas. The little lies men told their wives, and the other way around. It was a wonder he wasn’t more jaded than he could already be at times. But it was al something he was let to observe, and not a thing which could happen to him. “It was a much more pleasant notion when I was the young upstart. I doubt I will be so fond of this show in a decade. A father’s hypocrisy.”
It was a generous estimate even at that. He already had mixed feelings about Hailey playing with the Chaldean’s young protégé, and things were entirely innocent at their ages. “How many times did I follow you around down there like that?” For now he still found good-natured amusement in watching the doting. It was all a matter of perspective, and for now it was still charming. When she spoke up again she recaptured his attention. A moment was taken to enjoy that look of mischief, then he replied doubtfully, opting for not to play coy about the whole idea.
In truth, things had already been set in motion. It would be a worthy enough distraction for them both and it suited that desire to “hide” as well.
“What if it doesn’t live up to the mystery? If we go, I may just be disappointed.” Ochre eyes lingered on her, suggesting the words were not about a garden. The restriction had, in truth, never bothered him while it stood and he didn’t care overmuch if Azyebel chose to keep it in place when she did assume power, but tonight it represented adventure, even a little one, and that was precious enough. “Can I always expect you to urge me toward trouble, Avalynn?”