Page 36 of Beacon

Though I knew his bragging was solely for the benefit of our scheme, somehow it tainted the gesture I’d previously found both sweet and comforting. I didn’t want our special sign to be part of our charade, something so different from the genuine friendship I was beginning to feel develop between us…as well as the strange feelings that felt likemore.

I gave my head a rigid shake. Not only was my growing attachment to the prince inappropriate for someone who didn’t deserve love after what she’d done to her mother but my affections would only make it more difficult when the time came to return to my lighthouse.

Yet my emotions were anything but logical—the more I got to know him, the more I wanted our relationship to be real. These feelings only escalated as we went through our usual ritual of pretend—extra eye contact, flirtatious smiles, even sharing our food with one another, all for the sake of the performance.

Eventually, he rested his hand over mine with a look he likely thought tender but which in my current mindset felt too awkward to appear genuine. It was all I could do not to pull away, not because the gesture was unwelcome, but because it felt too orchestrated.

Too late I noticed the princess closely monitoring my reaction. “You seem rather tense, Miss Marisa. Your relationship with Prince Owen must still be very new for you to be so unused to his affections.” Her eyebrows rose almost in challenge, causing my heart to flare.

She suspects.

My pulse quickened nervously. It was one thing for Prince Owen’s family to suspect our ruse, but Princess Lavena or the other Lycerian royals learning of it would defeat its entire purpose. No matter what, we couldn’t allow that to happen, especially if I wanted to retain any hope of acquiring my lighthouse.

I subtly pulled on my ear with a nervous glance towards Prince Owen, hoping he’d understand my discomfort and we could leave. To my relief he caught my meaning, for he hastily gulped down the remainder of his tea, shoved his last sandwich into his mouth, and stood.

“Forgive me for our sudden departure, but I promised Marisa we’d take a turn about the gardens before I’m due for my next meeting.”

Prince Owen helped me from my seat and after a moment’s hesitation, too slight to be noticed by the princess, tucked my arm through his. He’d only led me a few steps from the table before remembering his manners enough to reluctantly face the princess, who watched him with a knowing look that made me suspect she knew the true reason for his hasty departure.

He bowed. “Thank you for the pleasure of your company; I greatly enjoyed our time furthering our acquaintance.” The politeness of his tone was too stiff for him to seem sincere, but she shared a similar tone in her expected response.

“The pleasure was all mine. I do hope we can spend more time together.”

Prince Owen looked almost pained by the thought but managed to mask the emotion. After another rigid bow he led me away. The moment we were out of earshot from the other guests he released a weary sigh.

“What a torturous afternoon this has been.”

I returned his sentiments with a wan smile, my agreement to the assessment. He rested his hand over mine curled at his elbow.

“I imagine that her choice of topic made the experience far worse for you…and my attempt to comfort you left much to be desired. My apologies. I shall spend the remainder of the afternoon striving to make it up to you.” He considered the matter before his eyes brightened. “I have an idea: we shall have a picnic, something more substantial than the tea spread that was impossible to fully enjoy due to the princess’s company. I’ll retrieve the necessary spoils.”

Our walk had led us to a fountain where the prince helped me sit. After ensuring I was comfortably settled, he bounded off with all the purpose of a man with a quest. My lips twitched at his enthusiasm before I passed the time by enjoying the soothing rush of the fountain as I dipped my hand into the water.

I became distracted by the sound of footsteps approaching and glanced up to discover the Queen of Lyceria. By her expression it was clear that she hadn’t expected to encounter me.

“Marisa. What a pleasant surprise. I came to speak to Prince Owen about prematurely ending his outing with Lavena only to find you alone.” She cast a worried glance around before hesitantly approaching me. “I’ve been hoping for an opportunity to have a little…discussionwith you.”

To my surprise she sat beside me and dropped a bit of her regal bearing. “You see, the king and I have been hoping to make a match for Lavena for quite some time. She has…been through a lot, having not one but two engagements fall through as well as many failed attempts to arrange another match. So you can imagine my dismay to travel all this way only to discover the man I’d intended for her is courting someone else.”

She must have sensed my bewilderment at her sharing such personal matters with me because she added, “Perhaps I shouldn’t be so forthcoming about the situation, but I’m sure you’re a lovely girl who, even if you could speak, I could trust not to share my concerns with anyone else.”

She hesitated a moment.

“Is there any way I can persuade you to step aside and allow Lavena’s match with Prince Owen to go forward as planned?” Not only did she seem sincere in her request but almost…desperate. “I sense your relationship with Prince Owen isn’t quite what it seems, and I can understand the prince being nervous about an arrangement with Lavena, but I’m sure she will mature as time goes by and be a most suitable wife for him.”

I could only look around helplessly, at a loss as to what to do. How could I be expected to choose between a desperate prince and a desperate mother?

The queen watched me imploringly a moment before speaking again. “If it’s money you need, then I will be happy to accommodate you.” She took a deep breath. “Please, just…think about it.”

And without another word she stood and hurried down the garden path, leaving me staring after her, my mind whirling at the implications of our brief encounter.

Even though money was initially what had gotten me into this situation with Prince Owen, in this moment no bribe—not even my lighthouse—felt big enough for me to suddenly end it, especially if it meant the prince would find himself betrothed to a woman as unpleasant as the princess; it was clear that Princess Lavena’s reputation had been justly earned. I could never wish such unhappiness on the man quickly becoming my dearest friend.

It wasn’t long after the queen left before the prince returned with a plate laden with sweets…but he was promptly accosted with the attentions of a noblewoman strolling the grounds. I ached to look away, but I found my attention riveted to the exchange. I watched with bated breath, growing tense when she leaned close enough to brush his elbow, giggling loud enough for the sound to reach me even from across the garden.

The longer I watched, the tighter my chest became, as if a heavy, almost painful feeling pressed against my heart. I didn’t understand why I’d experience such a feeling when the prince and I had only known one another for a short time and our relationship was nothing more than a charade.

It shouldn’t bother me to see the prince interacting with other women of the court, especially when he eventually hoped to marry one of them, and yet…

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