Anaisa was pushing through her exhaustion to feign keen interest in choosing her next dance partner, when a guard blessedly interrupted the decision making process.
"Your Highness, His Majesty would like a word with you," The man announced, causing the suitors to step away for a moment.
Anaisa finally felt like she could breathe. Thankfully, the smarmy Denholm had retreated for a short time after maneuvering her into a second dance.
She detested the politicization of the princess's marriage. She could almost feel her father's cousin exerting his influence to temporarily keep others away. He was much like her father in the scheming.
Anaisa suppressed a yawn, hiding it behind her folding fan as she went to curtsy in front of King Harold. At some point, the queen must have retired without anyone calling attention to it.
Behind the throne, Sapphira stood, pinning her with an intense gaze.
