Fifteen years ago…
'Ugh. This is so…tedious.'
High-pitched laughter surrounded him, loud and grating against his ears, hands brushing against his arms, his sleeves, his shoulders, as taller women leaned in too close, fawning over him, circling him like a bunch of vultures that didn't even try to hide what they wanted.
'If only I didn't have to do this….'
It was for the kingdom.
A request from his father to gather information, to play along, to listen, to observe, to let people underestimate him.
And personally…
Kaelis needed the distraction, even if it were a group of older women hoping to prey on the 'seemingly innocent' second prince, who was barely a teenager and whom they thought was easy to charm, easy to manipulate.
'They think I don't notice.'
But Kaelis was more or less done.
