Chess was honestly still trying to process the surprising news from her court the day before. Of course everyone had assumed that one day James Ashton would marry Priscilla, nobody had anticipated it would happen so soon. Chess was no expert but she was good at reading people. Her shrewd nature might have made people think she was nothing more than a judgmental bitch but she was actually incredibly good at figuring things out while no one was watching. She didn't think their prince was truly as in love as he made it out to be but in the end it didn't matter. If the announcement had been made, well, that was that.
Things were about to get a lot more interesting in vampire court.
As much as she might want a front row seat to that show, Chess didn't like spending all of her time at court. She loved the extravagance and lack of petty drama that was rather prevalent at Mystic Veil but being scrutinized for such long periods of time sounded exhausting. There, anyone could discover the secret of her heritage. There, the life and reputation the Rigottis had built for themselves might easily be found out if put under a microscope.
Of course, there she would be able to see Leopold whenever she might want too.
Shaking the thought off, she nearly scoffed at herself. Was she really pining over a prince? Someone who, despite the connection they'd had at the ball, might not look as favorably on her if he knew the truth. Despite telling herself how silly it was, Chess couldn't help the traitorous thoughts that kept creeping into her head. She couldn't stop remembering how it had felt to have his hand in hers while the other rested against her waist as if it belonged there while they danced. She couldn't stop thinking of how his eyes seemed to ignite parts of her that she'd long since thought might actually be broken. Most of all, she couldn't stop envisioning what it might feel like to have him look at her as if she were the stars and the moon put together again.
Sighing, she was about to raise from the chaise in her suite when there was a knock at her door. Chess was surprised and more than a little suspicious. Nobody visited her without an invitation or at least telling her about it unless something was wrong. She wasn't the type that one just 'popped in on'. Getting to her feet, she smoothed down her skirt and made sure her hair wasn't disheveled before heading to the door. Her first thought was it being her brother but Romeo didn't often knock on her door. In fact, her twin rarely asked her permission before doing anything at all. The confusion melted into surprised delight when she opened the door and saw Leo standing on the other side. Not only that, but he was holding flowers.
"Your highness," she said, lips quirking as she managed a slight curtsy. "To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?"