“Exactly. I only have one heart, and I’m saving it.”
I heard sighs around the room, and I felt I’d gotten away with something. How many more lines could I dream up over the following months to keep everyone entertained and at bay? Then I realized, I hadn’t planned those words. I really felt them, and they escaped under pressure.
“It seems you may have let your heart lead the way at least once,” he said knowingly. “I have a picture to prove it.”
I watched as a huge picture of me and Kile was displayed, and the room erupted with hoots and claps.
“Could we get him down here for a moment? Where’s Sir Kile?”
He hopped up from his place and sat on a chair next to me.
“Now, this is a very unique position for me,” Gavril began, “because I’ve known both of you your entire lives.”
Kile laughed. “I was thinking about this the other day. My mom said I crawled on set once as a baby, and you held me for the closing of the Report.”
Gavril’s eyes widened. “That’s true! I’d forgotten all about that!”
I looked at Kile, giggling at this new story. That must have happened before I was born.
“So, from the pictures, it looks like perhaps a childhood friendship is growing into something more?”
Kile stared at me, and I shook my head. No way was I going first on this.
He finally caved. “Honestly, I don’t think either of us ever thought about the other as a possibility until we were forced to.”
Our families laughed boisterously.
“Although, if he had gotten a haircut years ago, I might have considered it,” I teased.
Gavril shook his head at us. “Everyone’s dying to know: how was this infamous kiss?”
I knew it was coming, but I was mortified. This was much worse than I imagined it would be, having my private life on display.
Mercifully, Kile addressed it. “I think I can speak for both of us when I say it was a surprise. And while it was special, I don’t think we’re going to put too much stock in it. I mean, I’ve been spending time with these other guys, and so many of them would make a wonderful prince.”
“Really? And would you agree with that, Princess? Have you had one-on-one time with anyone else this week?”
It felt like Gavril’s words were on a delay. I didn’t hear them until I’d processed everything Kile had just said. Did he mean that? Did he not feel anything at all? Or was he only saying that to maintain some level of privacy?
I snapped back into the moment and nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, a few.”
Gavril eyed me. “And?”
“And they were very nice.” I wasn’t really in the mood for this in the first place, and Kile had made me doubt sharing anything at all.
“Hmm,” Gavril said, turning to the group of the Selected. “Maybe we’ll get some more information out of the gentlemen in question. Sir Kile, you may head back to your seat. Now, who were the lucky men?”
Baden raised his hand, followed by Hale.
“Come on down, gentlemen.”
Gavril started applauding and the room joined in as Hale and Baden approached and yet another chair was brought in. I considered myself pretty intelligent, but I could not think of a way to beg them to keep their mouths shut without actually using words.
Only then did I realize how easily Kile managed to do just that. I supposed there was something to be said for knowing each other forever.
“Now, what’s your name again, sir?” Gavril asked.
“Hale Garner.” He pressed down his tie, though it was already in place.
“Oh, yes. So, what can you tell us about your date with the princess?”
Hale gave me a shy smile, then turned back to Gavril. “Well, I can tell you that our princess is as smart and gracious as I always believed she was. Umm, and that we do have a few things in common. We’re both the oldest children in our families, and it was fun to talk about my work as a tailor with such a well-dressed young lady. I mean, she looks like a million bucks.”
I ducked my head, trying to take the compliment playfully while staying on my toes.
“But beyond that, I hope you’ll forgive me if I keep most of the details to myself,” Hale added.
Gavril made a face. “You’re not going to tell us anything?”
“Well, dating and falling in love are typically private things. It’s kind of weird to talk about at this stage.”
“Perhaps we’ll get more out of the next gentleman,” Gavril said impishly to the cameras. “Remind us of your name again?”
“Baden Trains.”
“And what did you and the princess do?”
“We played music. Princess Eadlyn is as talented as her mother.”
I heard Mom’s “aww” in the background.
“And?”
“And she’s a lovely dancer, even when she’s sitting down. Just so everyone knows, the princess is very up-to-date on current music.” Baden laughed and a few people joined in.
“And?” Gavril pressed.
“And I kissed her hand . . . and I’m hoping for more kisses in the future.”
I wanted to die. For some reason Baden’s request for a kiss was much more embarrassing than talking about one that had already happened with Kile.
The room made encouraging noises again, and I could see Gavril was trying to milk this. Unfortunately for him, there really weren’t any more juicy details. Kile was the only one with anything remotely shocking to share, and that had already been soaked up.
“You look so disappointed, Gavril,” I remarked quickly.