Princess Marie held onto her father's arm from the moment Trenton and Henry's swords tapped against each other. She didn't know how Henry could possibly take over someone who was that much taller and wider than him but the knight surprised her.
She hadn't realized until the match was over that she was gripping onto her father's arm so tightly. Immediately, she let go and she stared at her father with wide eyes.
The king had been watching his daughter more than he watched the match. He had come to a conclusion that the Crown Prince wouldn't like. After all, Prince Alfred had refused to follow the others to the garden, and those most loyal to the prince stuck back as well.
"If you love him, go to him," the king said. "Lay your claim on him by kissing him on the cheek. When he returns from where he's going, nothing will be the same."
