Page 55 of Downfall of a Princess

“How many times did you get to see Mother before your wedding?” I asked.

“A few. Briefly. The longest one was when we danced at the ball that her mother, the late queen, gave in honor of my arrival from Olakrez. I think I left a good impression on your mother. She kissed me after the ball. That was our first kiss.”

“Maybe if people were allowed to court for longer, to get to know each other a little better, it would be easier?”

He looked doubtful. “Courting is difficult between royals. It’s hard to meet while living in different countries.”

“How does it happen between people who aren’t royals and when there are no treaties to worry about?”

“A dowry is always a consideration, regardless of one’s social standing,” Father explained. “But usually, a woman interested in a man can visit his family home and meet him before proposing. The meeting happens with a chaperone present, of course. Usually, that would be an older family member or the boy’s tutor, depending on the future groom’s age. The bride would bring gifts and have a conversation with her chosen one.”

“What kind of gifts?”

“That very much depends on the woman’s station and level of income as well as her desire to impress the man and his family. Not that you have to worry about any of that, dearest. We already arranged to send a prized stallion and a master-crafted sword to each of your potential grooms.”

“Thanks. But what if I had to do it myself, what could I give as a gift?”

He tapped on his chin, considering his answer. “Weapons, hounds, or horses are always good choices. Once the couple is officially engaged and know each other better, the gifts can be a little more intimate. Like a piece of manly jewelry, a fashionable cravat, or a nice shirt.”

In all my life I hadn’t yet met a man whom I could personally gift a horse or a cravat. But a shirt? Salas would wear a shirt.

The thought hit me like a cannonball. Why did I think about Salas all of a sudden? Probably because he was the only man I’d had any kind of a relationship with, as brief and superficial as it was meant to be.

“Are you alright, Ari?” Father’s concerned voice reached me. “You look rather pale. Is there something in the food? This bread seems a little stale, doesn’t it? I don’t think it was freshly baked this morning.”

“No. The bread is good. I’m fine. Just a bit...”

“Probably nervous after all, aren’t you?” he asked sympathetically. “Some fresh air should do you good. Shall we take the puppies for a walk? Or better yet,” his voice lifted, “how about we go to the city? It’s a market day, and I could use a new pair of gloves. What do you say? If you take me, I can leave my usual escort of gentlemen-in-waiting behind. It’d be just you and me.”

There was no time for a trip to the market. Even without the council meeting this morning, I still had a long list of things to attend today. But he looked at me with so much hope and excitement, it hurt to upset him.

“Sorry, I can’t do it today, Father. But I promise to make time for the next market day.”

“Will you?” He grinned before placing a loud smooch on my cheek. “I can’t wait. But I’ll try to be patient.”

Chapter 11

Ari

One more night.

I’d promised Mother and myself that I’d only see Salas for one more night, but my feelings about that oscillated wildly throughout the day.

One minute, I remembered his warm smile, his gentle touch, the comfort of his large body pressed against mine, and I couldn’t wait for the night. I wished he would be brought to my bedroom immediately, all the official meetings and formal dinners be damned.

The next minute, worry would torment me. I worried about both the physical things that still had to happen between us and the emotions I’d inevitably have once our last night was over.

In my mind, it remained clear—eventually, we had to part. There simply was no other option. But my heart already ached at that thought. I knew I’d miss him.

At dinner, I asked for a second glass of wine. I rarely drank more than one, but the slight intoxication muffled both the ache and the worry, and I embraced it tonight. I even grabbed another glass on the way to the drawing room afterwards.

Sipping my wine, I feigned interest in the conversation with two councilors who argued about the historical origins of the legislation titled Amendment to Guardianship. Furtively, I kept glancing at the doors of the room, waiting for Gem to arrive.

As she entered, she moved her gaze across the room and nodded slightly when finding me. That was a confirmation I’d been waiting for. Salas was here, in the palace.

My heart made a somersault, giving my mind a spin. I turned to the councilors, trying to keep my voice steady.

“The Amendment to Guardianship was signed into law by Queen Elle, Queen Anna’s great-great-grandmother,” I said to put their argument to rest. “Before then, it was only a tradition. The necessity for the legislation came after one of Lady Ecila’s tenants passed away, and her widower argued that he should be granted the guardianship of his daughter until she came of age to take over the lease of the land. The queen ruled that in line with our long-standing Succession Law, the guardianship should be granted to the closest female relative, not the father, which then went to the girl’s aunt. Now if you excuse me, ladies...” I gulped the rest of my wine, then placed the empty glass on the tray of the maid who happened to be passing by and headed for the door.

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