Page 8 of Unbetrothed

ISAT ON MYvanity chair, winding and unwinding the golden chain of my mysterious pocket watch around my arm. Myla, the head lady’s maid, droned on about the particulars for tonight. The ball. The suitors. All the details besides the ones I desired.

A shimmer on my hands caught my attention. I stilled, and my eyes widened. The metallic lines reached my second knuckle.A sense of urgency gripped my chest. If I fled the palace grounds at the end of the night, would that give me enough time to fulfill my oath?

Laude scrunched her face in concentration and stabbed pins in the braid that spiraled into a bun at the top of my head. Each tiny jab against my scalp punctuated my thoughts.

Myla clasped my shoulder, jolting me back. “Your father will bow and guide you to his first choice in suitors. Remember, you are expected to send half the suitors away by the end of tonight and announce your top choices. A stronger alliance to a powerful lord will help keep the Himzos from edging onto our territory.”

The sandwich I ate at the garden party threatened to make a second appearance. “Do you suppose choosing a suitor tonight could end this whole parade sooner?”

Myla huffed. “This is a matter of great importance. I don’t see why your parents don’t choose for you. But yes. If you choose tonight, you can be married by the end of the week.”

Sweat from my palms slicked the pocket watch in my hand. I squeezed my fingers along the golden rim and pressed the latch. A melancholy tune rang out of the mechanism, and thoughts clinked through my mind.

Drag the Ceremonia on until a way of escape presents itself. What if there are no opportunities to flee? Perhaps Papá might be more reasonable than Mamá when he hears about what I’ve done.

The foreign song continued to play and soothed my bristled nerves.

Myla’s narrowed eyes suddenly widened. “Where did you get that?”

“It was a gift I received at the garden party.” I gnawed on my bottom lip and lifted the golden orb into my line of vision. The jagged grooves circled the cover like a mountain ridge on all sides.

Myla snatched the pocket watch. “I must speak to the queen about this.” Deep wrinkles pinched between her brows. Then she fled my bedroom, and the door slammed behind her.

I clenched my teeth. Why did she take my watch? What had gotten her so upset? I should be the one bolting to Mamá’s room.

“Your markings look more pronounced.” Laude poked another pin against my scalp.

A fluttering panic surged within me. “Are they? I didn’t notice.” I rubbed my bare forearm, thankful for the long sleeves I’d wear tonight.

Laude tucked yellow and orange flowers into my braid. She pulled out wisps of hair to frame my face and curled them with her finger. “Will this do?” She smiled wide, puffing out her chest. The moment our eyes met in the mirror, she sucked in her cheeks.

“Let’s just get the gown on,” I said.

Laude arranged the bulk of wool and silk layers, and I stepped through the center. She lifted the fabric and tied the back of my dress. How was I to breathe with so many troubles clawing at me? I could be dead by the end of the week. Whatever benefit I was to the kingdom would be lost.

“Ta-da!” She skipped around to the front.

One glance in the mirror told me she had done well. The red dress accentuated my curves, the puffed sleeves hid my markings, and the gold embellishments sparkled. She had many faults, but also many talents.

Should I praise her even after the terror she inspired this morning? Mamá always said that a leader should respect all their people, including Laude. I held back a groan. “Yes, this will do.” I watched disappointment spill into her features and felt I should say more. But I didn’t. Nothing kept Laude upset for long, so why exert myself?

Someone knocked at the door, and a servant informed us it was time. We marched through the corridors and down the marble stairway leading to the royal entrance into the grand hall. The most esteemed guests from the Agata Sea kingdoms all waited for me behind the arched doors. There really was no escaping today.

My insides trembled, and a sour taste burned my tongue. So many expectant gazes. It brought me back to my seven-year-old self on the day I failed to receive my magical gift.

Breathe, Beatriz. Breathe. Myla did not say I needed to marry tonight. Today will quiet the gossip about a worthless princess.My chest tightened. I stood tall and nodded to the guards who wore my family’s golden sigil on their doublets—the symbol reminding of my role in society.

After I get my gift, I’ll have an even greater role.

The towering doors swung open, and the crowd blurred on each side of the walkway they created with their bodies. Candlelight reflected on the lattice designs racing down the marble flooring. At the end of the hall, Papá held my gaze as he sat on his gilded throne, Mamá and Cosme beside him.

I stepped forward. The bottom of my gown skimmed the tops of my feet, setting my nerves on fire. I tightened my facial muscles into an austere expression, a dignified look I’d practiced in the mirror all my life. Each step weighed heavily. Mamá’s double strand of pearls choked my neck. To think, they felt elegant only an hour ago.

Halfway to the dais.

Keep moving.

Right foot. Left foot.

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