Love you

Ilona exhaled in relief when someone finally broke up the fight. It was Prince Haydn. He might be only six, too, but he was the king’s legitimate son and heir, so of course the children listened to him.

She watched as Haydn helped Devlin to his feet and said something, but Devlin ignored it and stormed away, blood still running down his split lip. To his credit, his bullies didn’t look any better.

A short while later, the door opened and Devlin entered her room. Ilona wasn’t surprised. He always came to her when he was hurt or upset or angry. She might not be his nanny anymore, but Ilona knew she was the only person the little boy trusted in the whole palace. It was both heartwarming and disheartening.

“Let me see it,” she said, making him sit down.

They were silent while she treated his lip and bruised knuckles, Devlin’s eyes on his hands. She’d lost count of how many times this had happened.

“What happened this time?” she finally said, though she could guess. She often heard other c