Augustus smiled. For a flickering moment, the benign royal shifted into something more sinister. The kind of man who could rule a kingdom with an iron first as well as a friendly, extended hand. Not that he’d been given the chance. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t make do with where he was at.

“Good.” The prince handed Dresden the box and the note, expecting the man to take both. “There’s a woman that means a great deal to me. We’re childhood sweethearts, I suppose you could say, and I like to see she’s well taken care of.” His mouth puckered then as if tasting something sour. “There’s a man that’s taken an unsavory interest in her. His manner…it’s far too friendly for my liking. Coraline is too kindhearted to deter the man with the firmness required. She believes too much in the good of people.” Augustus’s eyes twinkled for a moment as his lip twitched into a smile.

“Coraline Atwood keeps an estate in the countryside an hour’s ride southeast of Loren. If you’d pay her a visit to deliver this gift, I’d be very grateful. Tell her I’ve sent you and you’ll have no trouble at all. The man, however…” Augustus’s eyes narrowed, “Baron Albion Sims keeps a stable in Bambledon, the next town over. He’s been at the estate regularly to break a colt Emilian, her son, received from me as a gift. Albion’s a talented rider, you see.” Augustus’s eyes narrowed as he tucked his hands in front of him.

“I have no compassion for predatory men. The man isn't to be killed, but I need you to see to it that he never rides again.”

Call it an audition, call it whatever you like. Whatever it was, it was a job that needed doing.

A warm smile lit the prince’s features. The benign royal was back, as nonchalant as if they’d just solidified plans for lunch. After all, this was all part of the business of governance; maintaining the careful balance of power Augustus had created in his universe. Certain things belonged to him, and Coraline was one of them. To cede her to another man would be to relinquish part of his kingdom to another. And he’d be damned before he let that happen.

“Good,” Augustus said with an accomplished resolution, “Come and see me at the palace when he’s taken care of. Should this go well, there will be some coin in it for you. Perhaps much more.”

The first of many jobs, should Dresden perform it to satisfaction.

Augustus started to move for the exit, expecting that Dresden would follow.