Page 8 of Hands Off

I do as she says, trying to hold back my own emotions. This is the part of royal life that I hate, the moments where I have to pretend that I’m nothing more than a doll.

“That’s better, however, we’re going to have to nip these little escape attempts in the bud. You will not be running off to squander time with who knows in places you shouldn’t be in the first place. Royalty’s behavior reflects on their country and I will not be tied to a princess that can not fulfill her promises to her people.” Queen Helvania leans back, the perfect picture of a ruler.

However, I’m more focused on the words she’s thrown at me. Hateful words that tell me being with a woman like this will ruin any freedom or happiness that I have now. Her disrespect by saying she would be tied to a princess when at that time I would be a queen hurts a little. The fact that she speaks as if my choice will ultimately be her hurts even more.

“Que-Helvania, excuse my ignorance but I have been given three choices for suitors. You are but one of them and I have not yet told my father which one I prefer.”

She chuckles, shaking her head. “Because there is no choice to be had. Those royals will step back after the conversation I have had with them. I am your only choice, the only person willing to put up with your rule-breaking and a country that barely has anything to offer.”

I can’t help myself as I shoot off the lounge, pointing in Queen Helvania’s face. “Take that back!” Smunia may not have much but priceless gems are one of the few things that come from the mines. Not to mention that some of the best fabrics are made by our seamstresses and craftsmen. Our humble offerings shouldn’t be dismissed.

Again, the queen laughs but this time it’s dark and unforgiving. “You would do well to choose me, Juliette. Not only am I the only hope for a pitiful royal like you but my power far outweighs yours. Your father said to report if you did anything… untoward and as I see it, this nasty behavior and disrespect qualifies.” Queen Helvania stands gracefully and then grabs my outstretched finger, and brings it to her chest so that I stumble against the table between us. “You will be mine or you will be no ones. Don’t make a fool out of me tomorrow, Juliette. Make the right choice.”

She releases me and I tumble back onto the lounge, swallowing a whimper so that she doesn’t catch onto my fear. I don’t want to marry Queen Helvania but the consequences of choosing someone else or worse, choosing no one isn’t truly an option.

Chapter 7

OPHELIA

I stand along the wall between my brothers, facing King William as he berates us for our retrieval of his daughter. Despite bringing her back in one piece, he has things to say about how long it took, the state of the carriage, Juliette’s choice of dress—as if that were our fault—and her outspoken nature.

My brow furrows and I shift forward, Blaise pinching my back to keep me from stepping out of line. Juliette’s outspoken nature is the best thing about her. Her desire to step outside the mold adds to her personality and I hate that her father wants to mute that part of her.

The king paces in front of us, his guards standing behind him. Had he had his way, they would have dragged Juliette back in an instant, kicking and screaming if that’s what it took. Queen Daniela is only allowing this barrage of anger to appease a man currently in her court. She’s mentioned that whatever threats he throws at us will not be upheld as we are Kusovania’s soldiers and not Smunia’s. Unless it directly conflicts with one of their laws.

“And one more thing!” He bellows, stopping right in front of me. His face contorts with so much rage, his skin turning beet red until I’m sure that the blood vessels in his forehead will pop. “I’ve had reports that someone has been touching my daughter. Someone who has no business touching royalty. She came back with her lips bruised. Did you think I would not notice? Her folly is her own but it reflects on my kingdom and yours as you were to bring her back safely and unharmed.” His jaw pulls tight and I hold my ground, refusing to cower in front of this man. Granted, my head is slightly bowed but I want to face him head on and look him straight in the eye. That will only get me killed, though, and I won’t leave Juliette alone with Queen Helvania.

“Yes sir,” we say simultaneously.

“If I find out who it is, I’ll have them disgraced in front of the entire kingdom. She is not to be touched other than by the suitor I choose. Understood?” He waits for all of us to nod before exiting the room, his guards marching after him. Only when the footsteps fade down the hall do I step forward, grabbing one of the little end tables and chucking it across the room.

Neither of my brothers reaches for me as I growl out my frustration, holding back my true emotions for his daughter. “He treats her like a fucking asset.”

Artemis lets out a heavy sigh and leans against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. “As do many kings. It’s not uncommon and she won’t be the last princess that suffers. No, you misunderstand, Pheli. We can’t save them all and as much as I want to save Juliette, I’m not sure we can. Our queen said to tread lightly with him. We were to follow commands, stay out of his way, and ensure that his daughter remained safe. That’s it. And now? Technically, we have no stance in whatever he does so long as he follows Kusovanian laws.”

I know that much but it doesn’t mean that I have to like it. Worse, Queen Daniela has never been known to step in when it comes to how another kingdom treats their royalty unless it is so egregious that it borders on insanity.

Blaise clicks his tongue and I halt, fingers inches from grabbing a second little table. “Pheli, tell me why you’re angry. Yes, I know you’re in love with the princess. We all have eyes and I watched you physically stumble when we stepped into that cabin yesterday morning. Explain to me what’s going on in that head of yours.”

“I don’t… love her,” I huff out. I’m not in love. I can’t be but the need to protect her is growing. Thinking of her trapped back in Smunia pains me. “I just don’t want her to suffer. You didn’t see how scared she was in that room. Blaise, she broke down. Broke down.” I turn to face my brother, curling my fists at my sides as I take several breaths to calm myself. It’s not really helping.

Artemis cuts in. “Pheli, what are you thinking of doing? You know we stand together but I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“Nothing. I won’t do anything. Yet. But if I see Queen Helvania force Juliette into something, I won’t just stand by.” Speaking to my queen and her majesty sits in the back of my mind but that would mean revealing my relationship with a princess that has been promised to someone else. Would they offer me up to King William’s punishment or would they protect me? I decide not to take the chance and keep my desires to myself.

I don’t intend to act on them anyway.

I move toward the door, hoping to find time to myself, neither of my brothers stopping my escape. One stretch down the hall and I find myself bowing my head again as Her Majesty, Seraphina approaches me. A smirk sits on her face as she cradles her son against her chest. They found a donor last year, a joyous moment for the entire kingdom, and now with the royal heir, new life that has been breathed into Kusovania.

“Ophelia.”

“Your Majesty,” I respond.

“Do you have a moment?” She gestures for me to follow her and we don’t stop until we reach the same lounge that Juliette had been entertaining her suitors in a little earlier. The room is eerily empty and I wonder where she has run off to and if she’s okay. My mind wanders through a fantasy of finding my little piece of sunshine as she jumps into my arms, clinging to me for comfort only I can offer.

A fantasy that can’t happen.

“Ophelia, there have been some… rumors that came back with you.” Seraphina sways as she rocks her son back and forth before meeting my eyes. The door closes behind me, the sound echoing through the lounge. “Look at me, Ophelia. We used to stand on equal ground. I might be Kusovania’s ruler now but I am no better than you.”

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