Upon entering the family’s private dining room for breakfast, Reid found Dexter and Colbert seated at the table. “Should you be up and about?” Reid asked Colbert as she sat across from the brothers.

Colbert raised his eyebrows. “Not you, too.”

“Excuse me?”

He chuckled. “I just got that very same lecture from Dex.” When Colbert nudged his brother, Dexter only rolled his eyes and took a big bite of his oatmeal.

Reid plucked a slice of bread and placed it on her plate, then poured a cup of tea.

Dexter’s leg jerked against the table, almost as if he’d been pinched. Colbert covered his mouth, muttering to his brother so softly Reid couldn’t hear a word. Curious, she took a sip of her tea, wondering if she’d find out what was going on.

A moment later, Dexter cleared his throat. “How’s your head?”

Reid blinked, studying him. Curling her fingers around the warm mug, she said, “I have a large lump, which is rather sore, but I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

He inclined his head, then resumed eating without a word.

Colbert shook his head, clearly exasperated with Dexter for some reason.

Nara entered the room. “Lady Reid, I need a moment of your time.”

Longingly, Reid stared at her untouched plate of food before rising. “Of course, Your Highness.” She followed Nara to a quaint sitting room.

“We need to talk about tonight.” Nara closed the door, then sat on a sofa, patting the spot next to her.

As Reid took a seat, her stomach growled. Instead of acknowledging her hunger, she waited for the princess to speak.

“I’m not familiar with how things are done in Ellington, but, in Axian, the county is divided into six regions,” Nara began. “A family is in charge of overseeing each region. These families then report to Prince Henrick, who oversees the entirety of Axian.”

Reid nodded to show her understanding. Ellington was run very similarly.

“As soon as Henrick signed the marriage contract for you and Dexter, he sent word to each family, asking them to send a representative to hear a special announcement.”

“So what you’re saying is the most important families from Axian will be in attendance tonight?”

“Yes.” Nara smiled. “That is exactly what I’m trying to convey.”

Reid fidgeted with the end of her sleeve. “I’ve only attended one formal function as a woman, and it was rather small.” Even as a man, she hadn’t been to many grand events. Her father tended to avoid lavish parties.

Nara patted Reid’s thigh. “You’ll be fine.” She pursed her lips. “But there is something you need to know.”

“What is it?”

Nara scrunched her forehead, clutching her hands together. “I’m not sure how to say this, but one of those families is your family. Your mother’s side. In other words, your grandparents are in charge of an Axian region.”