Lucas met prince Derek outside the court quarter walls when he reached. His eyes first glanced at his face before moving to look behind his broad shoulders warily.
Derek lifted a brow in a scowl. "I wouldn't harm a strand of her hair," he clarified. It was hinted with irritation. Clearly, even his most trusted me man thought the worst of him.
Relief veiled Lucas's visage and he harrumphed awkwardly. "It isn't her head I worry for, your Highness. It is I and the old man's," he refuted halfheartedly. His surprise at the prince's leniency carefully concealed in the jest.
But then he asked seriously, "What about the clan? They wouldn't take her intrusion lying down."
Derek adjusted his coat and fastened the buttons. "The princess has a privilege." He strolled leisurely down the stairs. "The clan will have to learn to tolerate it."
A puzzled Lucas treaded after like a meddlesome child. "What privilege, Your Highness?"
