Page 2 of Undeclared Heir

She nods and leaves the room. As soon as I’m done, I’m at a loss for what I’m supposed to do with this glorified piss bucket, so I call for her, “I’m finished!”

The door flings open and three women enter—the woman from before, another with tea, and one with some kind of torture device resembling a corset.

Oh no…

I don’t need to explain anything as the woman from earlier takes the piss pot from me and washes my hands like I’m a toddler. Once my hands are dry, the one with the corset approaches and spins me around. I don’t have a minute to protest. She wraps it around me, ties it, and sinches it to the point I’m confident she’s broken a rib. Since none of this is real, I suffer through the pain, and the other two women prepare a beautiful dress for me. They help me slip it on, and while my waist is the tiniest it’s been in a decade, I admire the soft, beautiful blue fabric as my hands slide down.

I would appreciate it more if I could fucking breathe. Whoever invented this torture device should be shot dead.

“It’s perfect,” one of them coos. I look up and catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror across the room; my hair is an unruly mess. The women pay no mind and force me onto the chair in front of the vanity. “In ten minutes, you’ll be perfect for the prince.”

What prince? What book am I in? Surely, she can’t mean…

They pull my hair up into a bun at my crown, leaving a few ringlets of my curly hair to frame my face. One of them pinches my cheeks, making me yelp. “Almost done, Miss.”

After a few more minutes of primping, I almost don’t recognize myself. I want a moment to take it all in, but one of them rushes me out of my seat and towards the doors of the bedroom.

“The tea,” I protest, needing something to eat or drink, even if I’m high.

“It’ll have to wait, Miss. He’ll be here any moment.”

“If you insist,” I sigh, and follow the women out of the magnificent room.

James

“She’s exquisite,” I breathe but quickly clear my throat. Reginald outdid himself with this one. The woman before me curtsies, but it’s not as polished as the other women I’ve met these past few weeks. She isn’t trying to impress me, which is refreshing, to say the least.

“May I present Miss Anna Thompson?”

Anna curtsies again, and as she rights her posture. As our eyes meet, my heart leaps into my throat. She’s truly enchanting, and will easily pass as my wife to steal the crown from my brother.

I take a seat on the Chesterfield, her family sitting in unison after me. “How is it that I’m only now meeting your daughter?” I would’ve married this one months ago…

Her father announces, “Anna has been away, under the care of Mrs. Green.”

“I have?” Miss Anna whispers to him, though she has an accent I can’t quite place.

I stand and gesture for everyone to remain seated. As I approach Miss Anna, I offer my arm and ask, “Shall we take a turn about the room?” She glances at her father, who nods, before joining me. Once out of earshot, I admit, “I must make myself clear. You’re to be my wife in name only. You will be required to make royal appearances, but that is where our relationship will end.”

“This is definitely a case of ‘the book is better,’” she mutters, then raises her voice loud enough for everyone to hear, “Why, of course, I would love to be your queen in a loveless marriage. It would be a dream come true.” Her tone is laced with insincerity, and for someone who has been studying under Mrs. Green, I’m surprised to hear such a brash tone. “It’s fine,” she whispers. “I know this is all a dream, and I’ll wake up to my cat and books, with you nowhere to be found.”

“Miss Anna, I assure you, this is quite serious. This arrangement isn’t temporary, and this isn’t a dream.”

“Right, well, you should find yourself a wife who is a little more enthusiastic about your proposed servitude.” She then grumbles something I’m unable to make out. Pinching her brows, she looks away from me for a moment, shakes off a thought, and continues, “We can stop pretending now. I know this is all just an elaborate ruse.”

“How did you know?”

“I’m well read, Your Highness… Your Majesty… James? What shall I call you?” Her hand flies to her mouth for a moment, but she quickly squares her shoulders as if it didn’t happen.

“James will suffice,” I chuckle. I’m not sure what to make of her. “Yes, none of this is real. It’s no secret that I have no desire to marry.”

“Then, don’t.” Anna says it so matter-of-factly, it gives me pause. Lowering her voice, she asks, “At what point do we stop pretending, though? Which chapter are we in? Thirty-two?”

“Chapter? I’m sorry, I’m not following…” I don’t read, nor do I care to read; there isn’t the time for fantasies.

“How long until you fall madly in love with me, James?” she whispers with a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. My eyes fixate on them, wondering exactly how they taste.

Realising my grave error in considering it, I reply, “There will be no love, Miss Anna.” It comes out a decibel too loud, and it garners the attention of a few of her family members. “Shall we continue this conversation in private?”

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