Celia leaned forward and pressed her cheek to his chest again, closing her eyes. "When did you first notice me? At Tobin's birthday celebrations last summer?"
She remembered how uncomfortable she'd been at that banquet, bound into a heavy dress despite the heat.
Lucas chuckled. "No, that's merely when you first noticed me. I'd caught glimpses of you a few times before then."
"Is that right? And you thought I was pretty?" she asked in a teasing voice.
"I did. When I returned to court after my time in Prior, I'd been told the new crown princess was beautiful and I was curious, of course. But when I saw you, I just…I can't really explain how I felt. It was intense. You were as lovely as everyone had said, but your eyes were so sad. It made me even more curious, I guess."
"You never once thought about approaching me and introducing yourself?"
