Queen Marlena was a shrewd woman, not easy to fool. Her glare could make the most hardened warrior crumble. Right now, she was training that gaze on a muddy child and an equally muddy young soldier.
"And you're covered in mud because…?"
"He fell in a puddle by accident, ma'am. I'm afraid I wasn't watching him closely enough. My apologies, ma'am."
The queen raised an eyebrow. She turned her gaze to her son, who quickly looked away. She knew that look. The "I'm guilty and I know you know it" look. But neither he nor Mekaneck were confessing. It was irksome.
"Do you have anything to add, Adam?" She asked. Adam met her gaze with those limpid aqua-blue eyes.
"I'm sorry I got all dirty," he murmured. "I'll be more careful next time."
Marlena gave them both an extra-long dose of the Glare, but neither said anything more. At last, she sighed.
"Come on, Adam—let's get you cleaned up." She took Adam's hand and led him up the stairs. Adam glanced back over his shoulder and mouthed a silent "thank you. The soldier smirked and gave a two-fingered salute in reply.
He did feel bad about misleading the queen, but there was no need for Adam to get in more trouble. Yes, he'd jumped headfirst in a mud pit trying to save a baby deer. And yes, Mekaneck had nearly drowned trying to get both of them to safety with the deer kicking and squirming. But they'd managed to get out and the deer had been fine, so no harm done, besides the muddied clothes. Besides, if the prince's worst crime was overzealousness in saving lives…then Mekaneck could twist the truth a bit to cover for him.
