Page 5 of Learning to Rule

It doesn’t take us long to reach Marianne’s apartments. I knock forcefully on the door.

“Go away, Dalton, I don’t want to talk about it.” Her curt reply comes from within.

I test the door handle to see if it’s locked and find it open. Without waiting to be given permission to enter, I barge in to Marianne’s living room, and Elodie follows behind me.

“I don’t care what you want, Marianne. You need to give me an explanation. What the hell are you thinking, agreeing to this?” I storm across the room to where she’s casually sitting with a book in her hand. I pull the book away from her and place it down on the table next to her. “Talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to say.” Marianne gets to her feet and folds her arms across her chest.

“Believe me, there’s a lot to say. How could you do this to me? I thought we were friends. Seriously, have you lost your mind?” I’m shaking so much my hands are gesturing animatedly as I speak.

Elodie places her hand on my arm, and I look down at her.

“Please, breathe,” she tells me.

I open my mouth to shout at her for interrupting, but I can’t, not at Elodie. I take a few deep breaths and center myself. “Marianne, this isn’t you. What’s happening? Please talk to me,” I urge—now a lot calmer.

“I can’t, Dalton. Please, I’m sorry.”

Elodie steps between Marianne and me.

“Hi,” she says, stretching her hand out for Marianne to shake. My childhood friend obliges but doesn’t look Elodie in the eye. “I hope you don’t mind, but Dalton told me that there is nothing romantic going on between the two of you and the reasons why. I think he was worried I would leave the palace when I heard about the betrothal. He’s a bit of a softy when it comes to me.” Elodie looks back at me and winks. I shake my head in playful exasperation. “I don’t want to upset you, but I think this marriage is probably not what you want either. Is someone making you do this?”

Marianne lets a smile break out on her face. She looks around Elodie at me.

“Oh my God, you’ve met your match in this one, Dalton. I love it.”

“Don’t start.” I raise an eyebrow at her. “Explain.”

Marianne motions for us to sit down, and Elodie and I take a seat together on a chaise longue opposite her.

“I was left with no choice but to agree to the plan our fathers cooked up together. You know they’ve always been as thick as thieves, and they’ve wanted us to marry since we were young, even after I told them you had the wrong parts for me.” Marianne nervously twiddles her hands together as she speaks, and I feel guilty for shouting at her. I can tell from the solemn tone of her voice that she’s been put in a difficult position.

“What happened?” I lean forward in my seat, my arms resting on my thighs, and Elodie places a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“Your father found me in a compromising position with a woman. He has it on video. I wouldn’t normally care, you know that. I don’t mind if the entire world knows I prefer women, but the person I was with has too much to lose if her identity’s exposed. Your father knows that, and it was the reason he was able to force me into agreeing to marry you.” Marianne pauses. “I love her, and she feels the same about me. I have to protect her, Dalton. I’m sorry.”

I can tell by Marianne’s words she’s finding the situation she’s been put in extremely difficult. I would be the same in her position. I would do anything to protect Elodie.

“You’re a good man, Dalton, but the thought of marrying you and having to make babies with you makes me sick. You have a dick, and they’re repulsive to me. I don’t want yours anywhere near me. You’re the one who’s going to have to find a way to put a stop to this betrothal, though, because I have to protect the person I love, and if following through with your father’s scheme is the only way, then I’ll do it.”

Tears start to stream down Marianne’s face. I get to my feet, and making my way over to her, I crouch down in front of her and pull her into my arms. When I look back at Elodie, I can see tears of anguish appearing in her eyes as well. I hold Marianne tightly for a few moments, allowing her to cry out all the stress she must have been experiencing over the last few days. Eventually, I pull back and look her directly in the eyes.

“I give you my word. I won’t allow my father to go ahead with this scheme, and Iwon’tallow him to hurt you or the woman you love in the process. I’m not the same man who left for Florida a few weeks ago. Falling in love with Elodie has changed me and my perspective on life. She will be my wife, and my father needs to accept that. Elodie will make an excellent queen for our country—much better than my mother has been. I will sort this out, Marianne. Please don’t worry. Let your lover know as well.”

Marianne nods, a sob coming from her throat as she tries to calm herself down.

“Thank you, Dalton. I’m sorry to have upset you.” Marianne looks past me to Elodie. “And, Miss Nash, this is not how I wanted to meet you for the first time. I hope you’ll be able to forgive me.”

Elodie gets to her feet and comes to stand beside us.

“Please call me Elodie. If I were in your situation, I’m sure I would have done the same thing. The king needs to learn I’m not a pushover. I’ve found my man, and I’m not going to give him up without a fight.”

“I’m glad to hear it, and please, if I can help you in any way, then I will.”

“I suspect I’ll be taking you up on that offer.” Elodie rolls her eyes—she’s certainly had a baptism of fire into royal life, and we’ve still yet to confront my father.

I get to my feet, and Marianne rises with me.

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