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I can hardly blame a girl like Olympia for rebelling against her family’s strict expectations, and I know well enough how claustrophobic our circles can feel, but still.
I wondered if this was the right path after all. The right future queen for Caledithia.
That’s why I decided to meet her before any announcements were made. Why I arranged for our chat in the library. But the instant I saw my fiance, all my doubts turned to mist.
She’s perfect.
And better yet, I never imagined I mightwanther this way. Not only as a smart political match, but as a young woman. As a companion and wife. Even if we were not already engaged, I don’t think I could resist pursuing her, duty be damned.
Those thick, dark lashes. That golden brown skin. Those black waves, tied back from her heart-shaped face, free to tumble down her back…
I scrub a hand down my face, sinking deeper into the library sofa.
My bride-to-be is a goddess.
She left twenty minutes ago, saying that she needed to find her sister. That’s understandable, though from my sparse research of Beatrice, the second twin is unlikely to cause trouble. At two minutes younger, she’s diligent and responsible where Olympia is bold; quiet where her twin is loud.
Though Olympia wasn’t loud withme.She was visibly anxious, her fingers knotting in her lap as her hushed voice barely reached my ears.
I understand. It’s a lot to take in—the palace, the engagement. The ball tonight.
Who wouldn’t be nervous?Icertainly was. Those earlier doubts are long gone, though, because now that I’ve met my fiance, I can’t wait to spend more time together.
The floorboards creak as I lunge to my feet, clapping my hands. There’s so much to do—always so much to do—but for once, I’m struggling to remember what needs to come next. I’m distracted, too busy thinking about pearly white teeth digging into a plump bottom lip; deep brown eyes stealing furtive glances at my chest.
I grin, smoothing a palm over the crisp fabric of my shirt.
I’d better get back to work.
* * *
My days in the palace are strictly regimented. There are discussions with diplomats and meetings with advisors; press briefings and staff management. My time has never been my own, not truly, and it’s never bothered me before today.
I’ve always thought: what else would I be doing? This country is my life. It’s a privilege to serve the people of Caledithia. The royals may not rule in the traditional sense these days, but we hold influence. And with power comes responsibility.
But today, for the first time in my thirty-two years, I’m tired of duty.
It’s no use. I want to find my beautiful bride and crowd her against a palace wall.
Hours have passed since our meeting in the library, but my heart is still knocking against my rib cage. I’m still overheated, my limbs tensed and my body restless, and she’s stillhere, lodged firmly in my thoughts. If anything, the more time that passes, the worse it gets.
Those minutes with her were addictive, and now I’m in withdrawal.
Olympia.
Olympia.
That name… doesn’t suit her. It feels clunky somehow, mismatched with the blushing face in my mind.
“The finalized guest list for tonight, Your Highness.” My trusted aide Danika pushes a clipboard into my hand, flashing me a knowing smirk. I blink down at the white pages, the edges fluttering in the breeze.
We’re in the kitchen garden. This is a pet project of mine—a community vegetable patch that local school children can sign up to tend. They learn about gardening and food production, and I get to see my favorite staff gardeners pelted with weeds. Win-win. I often come out here when I need to center myself.
“The, ah.” My brain is sluggish. Too fixated on the constellation of freckles I spotted on Olympia’s collarbone. Fuck, I wanted to lick them. “The what?”
Danika’s smirk deepens. “The guest list for tonight’s ball. Did you like her, then?”
My shoes scrape against the stone path, and I frown at the endless list of names. The air smells like warm soil and orange trees, and lines of sprinklers whir all around. “Ah—yes. It’s an excellent match.” As we already knew.
