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“You’re not getting it,” Alaric said. “And neither is she. This isn’t about her comfort—this is about her duty. It’s about how not just the kingdom, but the rest of Europe, perceives our monarchy. Nothing would make us look weaker than dealing with little squabbles before what should be a simple naming ceremony.”
“That’s what you’re concerned about? Perception?”
“Someone needs to be.”
I was growing more and more disgusted with every word out of Alaric’s mouth. He cared about quite a bit when it came to his kingdom. His daughter and her feelings seemed to be another matter entirely.
“Is that all, my king?”
“Yes, for now. Your task is to make sure that I never lay eyes on that other girl again. When that is completed, stay close and await my next orders.”
Without another word, I left the dining room. With each passing moment, I felt my loyalty to Alaric fade, only to grow deeper for the woman upstairs, the one I was falling for more and more with each passing day.
Chapter 35
Ava
My heart felt like it’d been cinched in a vice. Tears welled in my eyes as I hurried with Hailey to the bedroom where she’d stayed the night before. I didn’t want to say a word, for fear of bursting into tears. Hailey, seeming to sense how I felt, gripped my hand tight.
“I’m so sorry.” They were the first words out of my mouth as we entered the room, shutting the door behind us. “I can’t believe what I dragged you into.”
Hailey squeezed my hand one more time, leading me over to the bed.
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. When Luc explained this whole crazy plan to me, I knew there was a really good chance that it would go sideways.”
“You did?”
Hailey, a box of tissues from the bathroom in hand, came over to sit with me on the edge of the bed.
“You kidding? Av, I’m a huge reminder that Mom had a whole other life after she left here. I had a pretty good idea me showing up here might cause some drama.”
She handed me the box of tissues. I plucked one out and wiped the tears from my eyes.
“But you did it anyway.”
“Of course, I did! You’re my freaking sister! Luc told me that you needed me, and that was all I needed to hear. I’ll get screamed at by all the kings in Europe if it means that I can make you feel a little better.”
The heaviness in my heart lifted, replaced by love.
“You’re too good to me,” I said.
“I’m normal good to you, this is what sisters are for. And if you’re feeling like I did too much, then make it up to me. If I ever end up stranded in some royal palace pregnant with the king’s advisor’s baby, you can come visit and makemefeel better.”
I laughed. Even though Hailey had been in Edoria for less than a day, her presence had already gone a long way toward making me feel better.
Before the conversation could go on any further, a knock sounded at the door. It was a firm knock, and I had no doubt that it was Luc.
“You want me to tell whoever that is to screw off?”
Another laugh as I wiped away the last few tears. “It’s tempting. But I should probably talk to Luc and figure out what to do next.”
Hailey squeezed my hand one last time before hopping off the bed and heading over to the door. She pulled it open and, sure enough, Luc was on the other side.
“Look at you!” Hailey said. “Head still attached and everything!”
“Funny.”
Luc stepped into the room and looked me up and down with concerned eyes. Hailey shut the door.
