The woman beamed in joy at being able to help the governor. “Absolutely, Your Majesty. It would be my deepest honor.” She rushed to it.

Nykyrian gave a low laugh. “You are evil. I love it.”

Desideria and Kiara approached them with reservation.

Kiara scowled at her husband. “It positively scares me whenever you laugh in public. What did we miss and what has all of you huddled here?”

Nykyrian indicated Darling with a tilt of his head. “Our boy there just firebombed our hostess.”

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she faced Darling. “Good. I hope you let her have it with all barrels.”

The moment the servant returned with two others to start moving seats and adding place settings, Nylan’s wife came running out to challenge them.

The lead servant pointed to Darling.

Fury flashed in her eyes at being thwarted, but Lady Nylan checked it before she walked over to them. “Your Majesty, I beg your indulgence and tolerance in this matter. But given Princess Kiara’s delicate condition, I don’t think it’s wise to—”

“I’m pregnant, my lady, not infectious,” Kiara said, interrupting her. “Since I count Lady Starska and Lord Maris among my closest friends, I don’t mind sharing my space with them.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Desideria chimed in. “Zarya is a true gem. But if it causes you distress, we would be most happy to join them in the hallway.”

Nykyrian nodded. “Feel free to move all of our settings there.”

The countess inclined her head respectfully. “That won’t be necessary, Your Highnesses. I’m sure we’ll be able to find them a suitable spot.”

Darling cleared his throat to get her attention. “One on either side of me.”

She stiffened in anger. “Excuse me?”

Darling made sure to keep his tone flat and even. “You heard me, my lady. I expect my senior adviser and fiancée to be seated with me.”

She went pale with the news. “Fiancée?”

“Yes. Lady Starska and I are to be married. And I am sure she will be moved by your graciousness toward her.”

Darling wouldn’t have thought it possible, but her face turned even whiter.

Lady Nylan grabbed a waiter. “I need the man and woman in the hallway moved in here immediately. Do not drag your feet.”

Kiara winked at Darling. “You are so incredibly sneaky. I love it.”

He glanced over to Nykyrian. “I learned from the best.”

In under three minutes, Maris and Zarya returned to the dining room.

Zarya gave him a suspicious stare as she neared them. “What did you do?”

Darling blinked innocently. “What makes you think I did anything?”

Maris snorted. “The way the waiter behaved—like he was afraid for his life.”

Darling shrugged. “No idea why. I merely made a request.”

“Sure, you did,” Maris said with a short laugh. “I’ve heard your requests. They’re positively wrong.”

Zarya wasn’t sure what to think as she was shown to a seat next to the head of the table. Maris was seated across from her. Please tell me that seat belongs to Darling. Or at least one of his friends. The last thing she wanted was to be beside one of the nasty gerents who glared at them.