This one was for Usmim, the Lord of Trials. Of course his feet would lead him here, of all places.

Kadou, the shy prince of Arasht, finds himself at odds with one of the most powerful ambassadors at court—the body-father of the queen's new child—in an altercation which results in his humiliation. To prove his loyalty to his sister, the queen, Kadou takes responsibility for the investigation of a break-in at one of their guilds.

With the help of his newly appointed bodyguard, the coldly handsome Evemer—who seems to tolerate him at best—they must uncover the counterfeiting conspiracy that could cripple the kingdom's financial standing.

His Highness, by comparison, was only affirming Evermer's assessment of careless-flighty-negligent.

This book is a slow-burn VIBE that concentrates heavily on the characters. I think this is one of the most character-centric books I've ever read. The plot takes a backseat to the characters and I really liked that.

This book offers swoony:
- exquisitely beautiful and delicate prince
- hot and stoic bodyguard
- a thousand meanings with just one word: Highness
- chronic anxiety
- panic attacks
- oaths and ethics and fealty
- found family
- kissing to distract
- honoring each other's needs
- one bed
- outrageously flirty friend
- overcoming your fears
- the nuances of duty and love

Honestly, one of the reviews on the back said a lot:

A slow-burn romance with sexy, complicated relationships and founded on the ethics of duty and love. - Tessa Gratton

I really loved seeing how Evermer's opinion of Kadou changed from careless-flighty-negligent (when Kadou's personality didn't fit Evermer's expectations) to till-death-do-us-part (after he realized that it was okay that Kadou didn't fit his expectations because Kadou was true and good and wholesome). I'm very much in favor of discovering the HEART of people and appreciating them for who they ARE vs. who we think they should be.

Recommended for the sloooooooow burn romance lovers that enjoy a two character centric book without a lot of surrounding plot. Like seriously not a lot. Just about the prince and his bodyguard.