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56
EMILIE
The final week of Wed season had arrived. It was the last session. The last ball. At the ball, there would be lots of marriage proposals.
I was going to be one of the few women that wouldn’t get a proposal. Theo was saving me the humiliation of coming right out and breaking the match. I gathered he was going to be discreet. There would be some negotiations between our parents and then it would be like it never happened. Theo would be matched to someone else. He would be married, and I would be without a husband. Now that my parents were cool with me marrying for love, I didn’t have an option. It was horrible timing.
We got in late last night and I wasn’t sleeping well. I craved some of that amazing coffee Theo had treated me to. I was going to have to settle for strong tea. I made my way to the kitchen and found Astrid at the stove making breakfast.
“I need coffee,” I groaned.
“We don’t have coffee, but I’ve got the kettle on,” she said, smiling.
“Of course,” I muttered.
“Sit down. I’ll get you some tea. You can spike it if you’d like.”
“I wish,” I said, sighing.
She delivered my tea along with a plate of bacon and eggs. “How are you feeling?” she asked. “For real.”
“Confused.”
“About?” she asked.
“I have to tell you about the dinner with my parents,” I said, sighing. “As usual, this is confidential.”
Astrid smiled. “I heard it all from the hall,” she confessed, a proud smile gracing her lips. “You finally said something, Emilie. I’m proud of you. I was totally cheering you on.”
“It might have been for nothing,” I said, sighing. “Theo is serious about walking away. I have to accept that. I waited too long to stand up to my parents. I should have said something earlier.”
“It took a lot of nerve to tell them how you felt,” she said. “I really am proud of you. And Nora. Damn! She came in like she was ready to fight!”
I laughed. “I think she was. Did you hear the part about my mom?”
“I did,” she said, smiling. “The whole palace knows. Obviously, no one will say anything until it’s officially announced.”
“I just think my burst of courage was a little too late,” I said. “I lost him. I know I lost him. I’m not even sure why I’m here. I’m setting myself up to be humiliated at the ball. Everyone is going to be running around showing off their rings and gushing about their weddings. I’m going to be the girl without a ring. My parents aren’t going to try and match me with anyone. I’m destined to be single forever. I lost my chance.”
Astrid offered me a reassuring smile, her eyes filled with optimism. “The season isn’t over yet,” she reminded me. “Things can change, Emilie. Maybe it’s not too late to show him how much you care. You have to try and talk to him. You owe it to yourself to give it another shot.”
“It feels silly to plan my gown for the ball,” I said, sighing.
“Hey, if you’re going to be humiliated, you should look good,” she joked.
“Thanks,” I muttered.
The butler came into the kitchen. “For you,” he said and handed me a letter.
“Thank you.”
I assumed it was an invitation to lunch or something. I put it on the table without looking at it. Since the interview, everyone wanted to have lunch or breakfast or tea. It was all about getting a new juicy detail to add to the gossip. I didn’t want to give it up. I was not discussing it with anyone. Ever.
“Did you look at that?” Astrid asked.
“Nope. I’ll have someone send along my decline.”
“It’s from Theo.”
