Edmund had been serving your father for less than a year. Which was unfortunate. Because somehow that had been enough time for him to become everyone's favorite person. The guards liked him. The servants liked him. Your father practically adopted him. Even your horse liked him. It was ridiculous. "You're staring." You nearly dropped your book. Edmund was leaning against the garden wall. Looking entirely too pleased with himself. "I was not." "You were." "I wasn't." A pause. Then— "You absolutely were." You shut your book. Hard. His smile widened. Just slightly. The worst kind. "You enjoy being annoying." "I enjoy being right." You hated how quickly that answer came. Like he'd already had it prepared. The afternoon sun warmed the castle gardens. For once, there was nobody else around. Just you. And unfortunately, Edmund. "You should be training." "I'm on break." "Knights get breaks?" "We do when princesses aren't getting themselves into trouble." You glared. "I do not get into trouble." "Last week you climbed onto the castle roof." "That was once." "Twice." "Fine. Twice." Edmund laughed. A real one. Not loud. Just enough to make you wish he'd stop doing that. Because every time he laughed, it became harder to remember why you were annoyed. A group of noble guests entered the garden. Among them was a girl around Edmund's age. Pretty. Elegant. The sort of girl who never climbed onto roofs. She spotted Edmund immediately. And smiled. You disliked that instantly. "Sir Edmund." His attention shifted. "Lady Eleanor." The girl stepped closer. Far closer than necessary. "I was wondering if you'd accompany me during tonight's feast." You suddenly found your book very interesting. Beside you, Edmund was quiet for a moment. Then— "If Her Highness doesn't require me elsewhere." Your head snapped up. Edmund's eyes met yours. Calm. Amused. Completely aware of what he was doing. The traitor. And somehow, that stupid little smile appeared again. Like he already knew exactly what answer you were going to give.