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Our kingdom is on the verge of crumbling.
The only thing I’ve lost that I can’t blame on the beasts is my mother. She’d been sick for nearly a month before she took her last breath. None of the healing herbs or potions could save her, and if she were still alive, I know she would have fought my father’s decision to marry me off with everything in her. She wouldn’t have handed her child over to the monsters.
At the sound of our footsteps, the knight’s gaze snaps up, and I recognize him immediately. I would know that vibrant red hair anywhere. His sword is sheathed on his hip and his silver chest plate glints in the torchlight. It’s Darsan, the knight I’ve been secretly courting for the last several weeks.
My heart plummets.
If there’s one person aside from Lizette who stands a chance at dissuading me, it’s him, but I hope he’ll agree with me. He should be just as upset about my betrothal announcement as I am, possibly more so. What if he hasn’t heard yet? Am I about to break the news? Will I destroy him, just as Lizette did to me moments ago when she relayed the message?
I shirk off the questions, worried they’ll dull my determination. I’m on a mission to lay into my father until he ends the betrothal. I will fight for my life. I cannot fail.
Darsan doesn’t say anything as he watches me approach, but he stands a little straighter and holds his chin a little higher. He looks so handsome in his uniform. I’d love to drag him off to a dark corner and kiss his impossibly soft lips until I forget how my world is falling apart, but I know that’s not an option. Not now, and possibly never again.
“Princess,” he says when I stop a few feet from him. His stunning hazel eyes bounce from me to Lizette and back. “Your father is in a meeting.”
“I’m well aware,” I say, attempting to keep my temper under control. It’s not him I’m mad at, and once my adrenaline high dips, I’m likely to crumble into his arms. “I need to speak with him.”
He doesn’t budge. “I can’t allow that, Your Highness. I have strict orders from the king that he is not to be disturbed.”
I scoff and roll my eyes so hard it hurts. “I don’t care about your orders, Darsan. This can’t wait.”
I half hope the urgency in my voice will sway him, that he’ll step aside to let me in, but he doesn’t move. He swallows, clenching his jaw as he stares me down, and I can tell he’s fighting with himself.
“I apologize, Princess, but he specifically said to keep you away until he was done with the nobles.” His gaze softens, and his brows crinkle. “You know I would let you through if I could…”
“Then move.” I cut him off harshly, balling my hands into fists at my sides. “You can. You just don’t want to.”
He sighs. “Whatever issue you have with him doesn’t concern me, but I’ll be the one to blame. I can’t let you by.”
The last modicum of self-restraint I have evaporates at his words, and I lose myself to anger.
“It most certainlydoesinvolve you.” I raise my voice and point at the doors behind him. “He’s betrothed me to the minotaur prince. Don’t you understand? He’s signed my death sentence, and he’ll seal it when we leave for Ulleh in a week.”
Darsan blanches. Obviously, no one told him yet.
Perfect. Now we’re all on the same page.
His jaw drops, his eyes bouncing between Lizette and me again. He looks to her for an answer, as if my word isn’t convincing enough.
“Is this true?” he asks.
I glance over to see Liz dip her head. “I’m afraid so, Sir Darsan. It was announced at midday.”
Eyes narrowed, I turn back to face him, and he reluctantly meets my gaze. I wish I could read his mind, know what he’s thinking, but I know he won’t say anything in front of Lizette. He risks losing much more than his rank if it gets out he’s been sleeping with the princess.
“Asupsettingas that is,” he says, slowly regaining his composure. “I can’t let you in. They won’t be much longer.”
Upon being deniedagain, I see red, and my hands begin to shake. The fact that no one seems to understand how serious the situation is, how horribly earth-shattering it is, infuriates me. He’s getting the hell out of my way one way or another.
Knowing firsthand how strong he is beneath that armor, I know I can’t take him down in a fight. It would be a waste of my energy and merely a laugh for him, considering my small stature. Force definitely isn’t the way to go.
Screaming in the hallway doesn’t seem like an effective move either. The doors and walls are thick and mostly soundproof. I’d pass out from the lack of oxygen before anyone came to check on me.
The only thing left at my disposal is blackmail, and while it wouldn’t normally be my weapon of choice, desperation is clawing at my skin. If I don’t get through this door quickly, I’m going to have a panic attack. The walls are closing in on me, and the only way to escape is through those double doors.
“Please, Princess,” he says, inching closer to me until my chest brushes against his armor. “Don’t do this. Wait until the king is finished. I’m sure he’ll speak with you then.”
Yep. Blackmail it is.
