Page 16 of Hands Off

The walk back is silent, only the clanking of my armor echoing in the halls. I’m soaked to the bone and I know that it’s seeping into Blaise’s clothes but he doesn’t seem to mind as he tugs me closer, murmuring that it’ll all be okay. That everything will be okay. I don’t believe for a second that it’s all over, especially when someone is sent down to check on where I should be laying in a pool of my own blood.

The fact that neither royal checked earlier when Queen Helvania’s men didn’t return much earlier confuses me. Blaise enters our connected rooms, walking to set me down on the edge of the bed. I hold onto him limply as he maneuvers me to sit up against the headboard. “We’ve called a doctor and Her Majesty brought one of the dresses she made.”

“No doctor,” I spit out.

My brothers freeze, turning to me and I grimace at the mess that I’ve left behind, the carnage that I created and my own blood seeping into their clothes. Blaise tilts his head to the side. “Pheli, we’re not sure how extensive the damage-”

“After,” I cut him off. “After. We don’t have time. If Juliette chooses before I show up…” I trail off, holding my side with my good arm, trying not to break down. Goddess, everything hurts and I have to focus on taking deep, calculated breaths to keep my vision from tunneling. “Gala, now.” Their worry is palpable but we only have so much time.

I’ve been to a few of these galas and royals that have already chosen like to present their other half as soon as possible to lay claim. King William will be no different and Queen Helvania is impatient. Once that gala truly begins, it will be too late. Juliette will be forced to choose and any hope to be with my sunshine will be ruined.

“Pheli, you’re bleeding. And-” Artemis bites his lip and then sighs when I glare at him. I’m not changing my mind. Even if I have to crawl in there. “What do you need help with?”

“Everything.”

We share a laugh as they rustle around the room for what I’ll need, snagging a maid to clean me up as much as she’s able. I just have to be presentable. I just have to take one step into that room and claim my princess. I can do that much.

Chapter 16

JULIETTE

Dressed in a velvet green gown, doused in more gems than are necessary, I wind my way around the buffet while trying to avoid Queen Helvania’s gaze. I snatch up two mushroom cakes and hold them to my chest. The gala began a few moments ago, royals and nobles from all over spilling into the ballroom. I do my best to stay at the edges, out of the way of anyone important so that I’m not dragged into a conversation. My father is who knows where but Queen Helvania can be seen from any angle with that tall crown and lavish robes that outshine even Kusovania royalty.

It's disrespect at its finest, one that Queen Daniela is taking note of as she stares from her throne, her lips pulled tight. Her child is strapped to her chest in a fabric carrier and I love that they are so involved in their child’s upbringing. Many royals have a permanent nanny at all times but not Queen Daniela and Her Majesty, Seraphina. No, they do most of everything.

Someone jabs me lightly in the side and I turn to face someone I don’t recognize. I bow my head, clutching my food a little tighter. The crown on her head tells me she’s royalty but I never listened during my lessons about who belonged to which country. “Sorry.”

“No need, love. Juliette, right?”

My eyes widen and I meet her soft gaze. She reminds me of a goddess, pure and sweet as if she’s merely an angel in human form. Long, nearly silver hair drapes down her back which brings out the violet of her eyes. It’s an ethereal beauty that seems almost impossible. How she could be royalty, I have no idea. “Um, yeah,” I stutter. “I don’t know-”

“Queen Helene of Ralatania. Our countries share a border, however, excuse my ignorance, your name only came across my lap this weekend.” Her cheeks pink and I can’t help but smile in her presence. It’s calming and soothing in a way that most royals aren’t. I pop one of the mushroom cakes into my mouth, needing something else to focus on. “Your soldier was very brave for trying to protect you. It’s all over the castle, the trial King William put her through.”

I nod, not knowing what to say. Saying ‘she’s alive’ doesn’t seem the right thing.

“Queen Daniela has been working really hard to make sure this doesn’t happen again. I think there might even be a few announcements in the next few moments.”

My shoulders fall. I don’t want the announcements to come because it’s one step closer to the moment I must choose Queen Helvania as my mate. I chew and swallow, before stuffing the other one into my mouth, Queen Helene patting my shoulder and then pointing to the front. Kusovania royalty is standing in front of their thrones, a general hush running through the people.

“Thank you all for attending yet another gala. We enjoy welcoming you all into Kusovania and sharing our peace with you. However, a few things have happened this year that have prompted an emergency meeting with the royal council. Before we get into the festivities, I wanted to announce new governing laws during this special weekend.”

I hold my breath as Queen Daniela looks over the crowd, her gaze finding mine. A smile overtakes her face before she continues and her gaze is drawn elsewhere.

“I never thought this would be needed but going forward, Kusovania laws will govern all countries when they are here during the gala weekend. Should a disagreement come forward or punishment needed to be dealt, it will be handled using Kusovanian laws as it happened within our country. Regardless of status, it will be handled here, by the council with the oversight of myself, my wife, and the country in question.”

No one speaks. It’s quiet enough to hear a pin drop but my heart is racing a mile a minute. This can never happen again to anyone else. How Queen Daniela was able to pull the council together so fast, I don’t know but I’m grateful. Not to mention that I’ll be able to outlaw these rules the moment I become queen.

There should be no restrictions on love.

Murmurs spread through the hall and then they die off as Queen Daniela steps to the side, offering a space to my father. This has always been a hated part of the process for me, where royals announce their mate as if it is a game of status rather than one of love. The last two years, I enjoyed watching Duchess Evie and Queen Daniela find their true love but me? Do I get that choice as well?

My father clears his throat, loud enough for it to echo before throwing me a pointed look to join him. The crowd parts as I make my way to the front, head held high, hands clasped in front of me. Ophelia isn’t here but Duchess Evie said that she was still alive. That I had to play my part till the end and trust that everything would work out.

I take a deep breath and stand beside my father, Queen Helvania perking up as I open my mouth to announce my choice. My moment is interrupted by gasps and pointing toward the entrance, my attention stolen by three soldiers standing at the entrance. Blaise and Artemis stand beside Ophelia, dressed in a green gown similar to mine but simpler and very much her. There are no emeralds or diamonds, just elegant form-fitting fabrics that brings out her beauty.

Artemis grins up at me, “There’s still time right?”

Chapter 17

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