379 Conditions

She briefly contemplated remarking that the Crown Prince took after his father, but wisely decided to keep her thoughts to herself. In this gathering of powerful individuals, she was on the losing end and needed to tread carefully.

"It's not the first time we've met," the King stated directly. "I must say, Philip has raised you well."

The King's casual reference to her grandfather by name, without using any titles, despite being older than the King, left Oriana pondering two possibilities. 'Either the King and my grandpa are close friends, or the King doesn't hold my grandpa in high regard.'

Oriana briefly entertained the thought of saying, 'I wish I could say the same about you and the Prince,' but she decided to hold her tongue. Instead, she asked, "May I know what His Majesty expects from me, as I have been brought to the palace against my will?"