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AUGUSTINE
My parents are back from an important meeting and of course, the bliss of the bubble the three of us have found ourselves in is about to be shattered.
“Your parents are waiting for you,” Joss states as he greets me. I give him an appreciative nod as I make my way into my father’s office.
When I was a child, my father’s office felt so intimidating with the walls filled with old books, large furniture gilded in gold, and expensive antiques—that if I touched it would result in a smack—and my father’s booming voice echoing around the room while I hid behind my mother’s skirt.
“I’ve received quite an eye-opening bill for women’s clothing while I’ve been away,” my father grumbles, giving me a side-eye. “I thought your mother was trying to give me a heart attack.”
“Oh, Henk,” my mother says playfully, smiling happily beside him.
My father’s making jokes; he must be in a good mood today—which is rare.
“As you know, Rosalie and her sisters’ home had major damage from the fire, smoke damage was throughout. They had to leave with the clothes on their backs. I didn’t think you would like the future Queen of Friendsburg walking around in a towel,” I explain to my father.
He looks over and narrows his icy-blue eyes at me. Okay, he’s not one hundred percent in a good mood.
“That was very admirable of you to look after her and her family like that, my sweetheart,” my mother says.
“Has she settled in okay?” my father asks.
“Yes. Very well, especially as she has Skylar, one of her sisters with her.”
“Explains the clothing bill then.” He huffs.
“Sweetheart, imagine how devastating it would be if we lost one of our wings. I don’t know if I would be able to leave my family home and move into another one so easily. I admire her loyalty already to you, Augustine,” my mother adds.
Her admiration of Rosalie fills me with pride because it’s the truth. Her life has been turned upside down, and she has taken it in her stride, and that doesn’t even include what happens between the three of us.
“She was reluctant to leave. Rosalie and her sisters have a deep sense of loyalty and duty to their people, but she knew she had made a commitment to me too,” I explain to them both.
My father’s brows raise at my comment, and my mother nods.
“Does she like her room?” my mother asks.
“Yes, very much so. Both fell in love with their rooms,” I tell her, knowing my mother took time to decorate it for whoever my bride-to-be was.
“And you’re still happy with your choice?” my father asks me.
“Yes. She accepted my ring the next day.”
His eyes widen in surprise, but I can see he is happy about this development. “This is good, son. Very good,” my father tells me.
“Sweetheart, I’m so excited for you,” my mother says, clapping her hands together with delight.
“Do you think she will be ready to wed in a month?” my father asks.
“Yes. I have explained that to her already. She understands. Rosalie knows what she must do. She understands her role.”
“And what does Greyson think?” my mother asks.
My father grumbles at her question.
“He agrees that she’s a good fit for me,” I say, and my mother nods in understanding.
“Of course, he would,” my father grumbles.
“What does that mean?” I ask him.
