Page 83 of The Prince's Curse

That day might be sooner than I think,he realized with a sinking sensation. Now that his father had passed, the pressure would be on him to marry and secure an heir. After his father’s funeral, talk would no doubt turn to a royal wedding. Perhaps that was the true reason for Katalin’s visit.

“I’m afraid we don’t keep a garden like the one you have in Luxem,” he said as he led her out into the palace’s central courtyard. “This is the closest we have.”

“Some stunning masonry and carpentry,” she remarked, gazing about at the palace’s exterior and the other buildings nestled along the courtyard’s edges. “I noticed that when I arrived. Though, forgive me, itisa bit plainer than what I’m used to. You Ilthabardians do so value your efficiency.”

He chuckled. “That we do. We leave the embellishments to you and the Sanjarkans. Come, let me show you around.”

They were passing by the stables when a figure appeared in the entrance. Haldric glanced over and almost lost his footing when he realized it was Benjin, dressed in his usual disheveled robes. He appeared to be in the middle of an errand, a stack of parcels clutched under one arm. With the Grand Magus gone, it had fallen to Benjin to complete his remaining duties as best he could.

When Benjin noticed Haldric, he froze, his pale eyes widening. Then, he spotted Katalin, and his face went blank as he bowed, his curls bouncing. “King Haldric. Lady Katalin. A pleasure to see you again.”

“You as well, Benjin,” Katalin said, sounding delighted as she clasped his hand. “It’s good to see another familiar face. Weshould set aside some time soon to catch up—lunch tomorrow perhaps?”

“You’ll be staying for a while then?” Benjin asked, a hint of tension underlying his words.

Haldric shifted beside Katalin as she grinned. “At least a couple days until after the Summit and I’ve finalized things with King Haldric.”

Haldric’s gut squirmed. Benjin managed a feeble grin, though his lips were pinched like he’d tasted something sour. His eyes darted to Haldric before looking away. He had yet to meet Haldric’s eyes since the conversation began.

“Lunch sounds great,” Benjin said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have business to attend to. Enjoy your romantic rendezvous.”

He hurried off, his back hunched and shoulders tensed. Haldric watched him depart, longing to follow. When he realized he was staring, he turned back to Katalin and pasted on a smile. “Well then, shall we continue?”

She studied him for an uncomfortably long moment, then shrugged and returned his smile, taking his arm once more. “Of course! Lead on, Your Majesty.”

They spent the rest of the afternoon together before dining on a simple meal set for the two of them. Though Haldric tried to enjoy himself and Katalin’s company, his dread grew with each passing moment. Soon enough, they were back in Haldric’s sitting room, and he could no longer put off discussing their future.

“So,” Haldric began, his throat suddenly dry. “I suppose we should talk about why you’re here. Allow me to begin by assuring you that my father’s passing has no bearing on our arrangement. I fully intend to honor our union.”

Katalin took a sip of water from a tall glass. “I assumed as much. Still, I’m glad to hear it. Mother would’ve beenunbearable had her carefully laid schemes to ensnare you fallen through.”

Haldric chuckled dutifully. The edge of his crown bit uncomfortably into his brow. “Yes, well, good. Shall we discuss the specific, er, details then?”

“Of course.” Katalin slid aside her glass and steepled her fingers. “First, however, I have a question for you.”

He inclined his head. “I shall do my best to answer.”

“Splendid.” A hint of a smile played over her lips. “Just how long have you been in love with Benjin?”

Haldric stared at her, stunned into silence. She simply watched him, her expression kind. He knew he’d already taken far too long to stammer a response, but he tried anyway. “I-I’m not certain what you mean, my lady. Benjin is a trusted friend, nothing more.”

“Forgive me my bluntness, Your Majesty, but you are a terrible liar.”

He winced, expecting her to sound angry or betrayed. If anything, however, she seemed amused, her eyes dancing with mirth. Had shewantedtheir arrangement to fail? Or perhaps she relished this proof of Haldric’s weakness.

“I suspected during your visit to Luxem,” Katalin continued, studying his reaction. “But after seeing you together today and how you studiously avoided looking at each other despite clearly being aware of nothing else, I’m all but certain.”

Haldric’s stomach sank, his protests dying on his lips. Panic unfurled in him like a billowing sail in a storm. “Whatever you think you saw, my lady, I beg you to forget it. I’m committed to this alliance between our houses, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work.”

Katalin fixed him with a sympathetic look. Her hand stretched across the table, her cool fingers resting atop his. “It’s all right, Haldric. I may not fully understand the burden of rulingan entire kingdom, but I do know something about political pressure. If you truly wish to marry me, I remain willing. But, first, ask yourself: is thisreallywhat you want?”

Haldric hung his head for a long moment. Doubts and hopes and fears played out in his head, each echoing in a dozen different voices. Then, clenching his jaw, he straightened his back and met her gaze.

“It doesn’t matter what I want. I have to do what’s best for Ilthabard. Now more than ever, we need stability. If this is the best means to achieve that, then I’ll do it gladly.”

Katalin squeezed his hand. “There is no weight greater and more terrible, no chains tighter and more constraining, than those of duty.” Withdrawing her hand, she sat back in her chair. “Still, permit me to offer you some advice. For all that others might mean well, it ultimately falls to you and you alone to chart the course you think is best. So…again I ask, what is ityouwant?”

He surprised himself by chuckling. The rough sound quickly devolved into a half-sob, half-snort. There, alone with the woman he was supposed to wed, he confessed the truth aloud for the first time.

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