Austin's name still lingered in the room. Alina had said it for the first time and that too with her arms around him. Neither of them acknowledged it. He broke the silence first.
"The king's private meetings are informal," he began. "He'll offer you tea. Accept it. He'll gesture to the chair across from him. Sit only after he does."
She listened to everything carefully.
"Don't share information he doesn't ask for. Answer his questions with honesty. He values honesty above almost everything."
"What does he want from me?" she asked.
"I don't know."
"You were with him all morning. Didn't he…"
"He didn't mention it," Austin replied. "I learned about it from Harrington."
His eyes then went to her dress.
"It's a good choice."
"Audrey would have said the blue."
"Audrey would have followed protocol. But the king doesn't care about protocol in private meetings. He cares about people."
She nodded. It was time to go. He stepped aside and she walked towards the door.
"Alina."
