Juliette noticed quickly when Olivia rose from her seat, as the princess had kept the lovely young woman in her peripheral vision despite resisting the urge to stare. When Olivia smiled at her so brilliantly, Juli returned the smile shyly. Thankfully she did not blush, but it was a near thing. Her preference for the fairer sex had been well known among her Ghosts, but she did not imagine it would be tolerated so well among the nobility.<br/><br/>The soldier briefly considered following the other woman, but then Prince Henrik did so. Juli wondered if her hesitation had been a mistake. Either he intended to make a case for an alliance—which could lead to political complications—or he intended to pursue her romantically, which would be a more personal complication. She was ashamed when she realized that the latter possibility was more upsetting to her. The last month had been nothing but worry and politics and she was so tired of it. As much as being out in the field could be frightening and disheartening, at least she had felt alive.<em>I’ve been so concerned with peace and politics that I’ve let my life become far too routine.</em>That was going to change, she decided.