“As you do not actually have a contract with Lord Astoria in place, let’s table this discussion for now,” Father declares. “I am willing to compromise . . . a little.”
Both Colin and I look at him and then each other, wondering what he has up his sleeve.
“As I do not wish to anger the royal family of Tallinnia, you will take some time to court Princess Helene. If you are still not amenable to the idea by the end of the season, I will allow you to marry the Astoria girl.”
“That is unacceptable, Father. I have already promised to court Lady Raelyn.”
“Court them both! I don’t give a fuck at this point.”
Father must be truly well into his cups if he is willing to cuss at us, especially after telling us not to.
My face falls into the palm of my hand, and I hold back a groan. Leave it to Father and Colin to make my life even more complicated than it already is. At this rate, I don’t know if I’ll make it to the drop point in time. But I need to find a way to prove to Father that Raelyn is of more value to our family than Princess Helene.
A niggling voice in my head wonders why I care so much about keeping my word to Raelyn. She did reject and hurt me, and yet she seems oblivious to that. Would she care if I called it off? It’s not like it was going to be a real marriage . . . but just the thought of letting her down has my stomach roiling.
Courting both Raelyn and Princess Helene at the same time is the absolute last thing I have time for. I am truly and completely in over my head.
Chapter Sixteen
RAELYN
Did that really just happen? Did the prince . . . did Kian truly just ask me to marry him? I shiver as the sun dips beneath the horizon and night sweeps across the land. Damn. I’m so behind on my chores.
I desperately want to leave them be. Kian will make his intentions known soon enough, and gods willing, I won’t be trapped as our family’s primary maid any longer. At least, I hope not.
A part of me wants to squeal with joy at the thought of escaping the home that has become like a prison. I will have the status of a princess of the realm without actually needing to fulfill the role. Could it be any more perfect?
I try to ignore the voice in my head asking me if this is what I really want—asking if I no longer believe in marrying for love someday the way I used to.No. Hush. That’s ridiculous.Love is a fairytale not meant for me.
But, oh, to be able to laze about for an entire day with nothing to clean and endless books to read . . . it’s the best dream. If Kian can give me that, I can willingly shut the door on the possibilityof love. While he said I could find lovers of my own, that sounds exhausting. If I truly need a release, there are other ways to go about it.
Hurrying back into the manor, I try to sneak through a side door to grab the wash, but when I turn the corner, it’s gone.
“Forget something?” a snarky voice cuts from behind me.
I turn around, and there’s Chessa, swathed in a pink silk dress, tapping her foot next to the basket of rags. It’s almost comical seeing the juxtaposition of filth and riches, but I know this is merely a ploy meant to cause me misery.
“I could have sworn I saw laundry on your list of chores today,sister,” she sneers. “You’re always so forgetful.”
“Are you offering to take care of it for me?” I retort.
Chessa’s eyes almost bug out of her face in horror. “Me?” She lays a delicate hand on her small chest. “There is no possible way my nails could withstand that chore.”
“Or any chore,” I mutter under my breath. “What are you doing here then?”
“Looking for you, of course. You’re always with the help.” Her pretty face turns ugly with the vitriol she spews toward me.
“Well, you’ve found me.”
“Yes, I have . . . and I have much to report to Mama.”
I can’t stop the eye roll. The fact that she calls that witch of a stepmother “Mama” is a disgrace to our dead mother, may she rest in Celestia with the gods.
“Well, get on with it then.” I wave my hand at her. “I obviously have much work to do.”
“Unfortunately,” she grits out, “you’ve been requested at dinner this evening. I was told to make sure you show up presentably.”
“Dinner?” Has Kian spoken to my stepmother already? Am I finally going to be free? I’m almost afraid to get my hopes up.
