Page 24 of Oath of Rebellion

EIRWYN'S BROWS ROSE at the announcement, and she looked over Bella's shoulder to her brother.

"Isn't it amazing? When the king came to the tavern to fetch you, we started talking and fell in love. We announced our engagement yesterday to the Chancellor and Council and get married in a month. I'm just so glad you've made it back before word got around."

Eirwyn frowned, turning to Gastone. "But you just said we shouldn't fraternize with the peasants. Yet here you are marrying Bella? Which is it?"

Bella's eyes frowned in pain and a flash of anger as she pulled back. But Gastone just rocked on his heels.

"I just did what you were doing, sister dear. Don't you like it when the shoe's on the other foot?"

Eirwyn looked at Bella, then back at Gastone, biting her tongue. She didn't want to say anything else that would upset her friend, but something wasn't right here.

"It's an ingenious plan though, isn't it? This will endear me to the people even more while sticking it up Glathen's backside. A marriage alliance will never happen now."

Eirwyn blinked. Glathen had sent a marriage alliance and peace proposal to Busparia six months ago. But Gastone had ignored it. Glathen's representatives had asked her about it at the peace talks, but she had said her brother was still considering the option.

Bella turned to look up at him. "But we fell in love?"

Eirwyn ached for her friend at that wounded tone of voice.

Gastone looked down at her and winked. "Of course we did, dear. Never doubt it for a minute. The rest is just icing on the cake."

Bella still looked troubled, and Eirwyn's chest felt like a lead weight settled on it. She took Bella's hand and leaned forward.

"I'm happy for you," Eirwyn said softly with a smile. "There couldn't possibly be a better queen for our people."

The small lines of worry around Bella's lips eased as she smiled and tucked a stray brown hair back into her loose braids.

"Thanks. The king has already arranged all the best tutors, so I'm finally being classically trained in magic. And the books! Eirwyn, you didn't tell me how big your library is."

Bella's eyes turned excited again as she looked around the cavernous room. Floor to ceiling shelves lined the wall, and it was two stories high, with a landing and more ladders and more shelves above.

Eirwyn smiled weakly. "It never came up. What's going to happen to the tavern?"

Bella waved a hand. "Oh, I've hired a manager to oversee things for Pa until he returns from the war. It's been a hard transition to living in the palace this month, but I'm adjusting alright."

Eirwyn's eyes widened. "You moved in?"

So her brother had moved Bella in before they'd announced their engagement. Interesting. She wondered what the townsfolk thought about that slap in the face of propriety. Not that she was one to judge.

Bella blushed and nodded. "Yes, it was just too much going back and forth trying to plan the wedding in secret. We kept waiting and waiting for your return to announce it, but when the Chancellor returned yesterday and said you were on the way... well, we decided why wait?"

Eirwyn looked to her brother who arched a brow as if waiting for her to challenge him. She turned back to Bella.

"And it's a good thing I'd already moved in because the number of people who swarmed the tavern lately. Whew! No wonder the king was concerned about security. Isn't he sweet and thoughtful?"

Eirwyn's face scrunched up before she could stop herself.

Gastone stiffened and narrowed his eyes, a faint wisp of smoke coming out of his nose. "We're having an engagement dinner tonight, so your return is well timed. Would you step into my office, please? I have something to discuss with you."

He strode out the door, and Eirwyn felt a knot of uneasiness grow in the pit of her stomach as she followed him.

****

Bella picked up her book and frowned as the two walked out the library door. Was Eirwyn just surprised or did she truly not approve of the match?

So what if she doesn't approve? This is your chance to learn everything.

She breathed deeply and her shoulders relaxed as a happy haze filled her. She looked around the library, awe filling her that she was even here.

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