Page 47 of Beacon

Though I didn’t know the prince well, I couldn’t help but empathize with him. Perhaps it was the thought that he might be forced into an arrangement, the way I sympathized with his longings for someone he couldn’t have, or simply because I couldn’t stand idly by whenever I noticed anyone drowning. Whatever the reason, my annoyance flared, compelling me to act.

Owen reached for my hand. “Where are you going?”

I simply gave him a reassuring smile before I hastily made my way towards Prince Nolan. I wasn’t entirely sure what I expected to accomplish without words, but I couldn’t just stand back and watch the poor prince forced into a union he clearly didn’t want, especially after his kindness in trying to save me from his own scheming sister.

Prince Owen made a frustrated noise behind me, and when I glanced back at him, I saw him drawing an M over his heart with his finger, his name sign for me. I held up a single finger to indicate I’d only be but a moment.

I reached Prince Nolan’s side and slipped my arm through his with a large smile that did little to assure the prince—if anything he only looked more terrified, as if fearing I harbored my own scheme to entrap him. Without words to describe my true intention, I could only show him. I tugged him gently away from the noblewoman whose flirting I’d interrupted.

Understanding slowly penetrated the prince’s confusion, compelling him to supply the words I couldn’t. “There you are, Miss Marisa. I’ve been looking forward to our promised discussion all evening. My apologies for neglecting you for so long.” He turned to the noblewoman with a rather insincere look of apology. “Forgive me for the premature conclusion of our own conversation.”

She said nothing, only glared at me for having interrupted her hunt. I could almost hear her silent debate on whether to try and steal the prince back or if doing so would make her intentions too obvious, which would consequently thwart them. She curtsied stiffly.

“It’s no trouble at all, Your Highness. I enjoyed our conversation and hope we have a chance to spend additional time together soon.”

By Prince Nolan’s expression, that was the last thing he desired, but he bowed politely before gently leading me away. The moment we were out of earshot, he released a long, shaky breath. “Thank you.”

I only offered a modest shrug in response. Prince Nolan released another long breath.

“No, truly…thank you. I am indebted for your timely rescue. She is one of the more persistent ones. I was afraid…” He released another weary sigh before puzzlement puckered his brow. “Why did you help me?”

I rested my hand over my heart and gestured towards him. His eyes widened.

“You have feelings for me?” He didn’t sound the least bit enthused by the prospect; if anything, he looked moments away from bolting.

I firmly shook my head. I considered a moment before gesturing towards Prince Nolan’s heart and curving both my hands to each form half a heart shape, which I brought together. His entire manner softened as he finally understood, a look which dispelled his previous panic. “This is about my love for Ramsey? You wish for us to be together?”

I smiled and nodded. He rested his hand over mine.

“You would be the first, considering her position as a servant causes everyone else to fiercely oppose the match. The obstacles are so great that we haven’t even spoken about a union between us; we haven’t even expressed our feelings for one another. But if I survive this trip without becoming entangled in the unwanted match my parents desire for me, I vow to tell her how I feel the moment I return home. Thanks to you, I’ve managed to at least survive tonight. I cannot even express how grateful—”

His words were cut short when Owen suddenly appeared at my elbow, wearing an expression far different from any I’d ever seen him bear. He glared at Prince Nolan with a look as sharp as if he were skewering him with a sword.

“Are you alright, Marisa? Was he bothering you?” Owen’s tone was stiff as he firmly tucked my arm back through his and pulled me close enough to whisper, “Aren’t we supposed to still be pretending to be a couple? Have you lost interest in our scheme?” He looked rather offended as his gaze flickered towards the prince.

Too late I realized how my rescue of Prince Nolan might have appeared. I gave Owen a doting smile that I hoped would repair any potential damage, but the gesture felt empty, superficial compared to the genuine love I’d witnessed in Prince Nolan’s expression when he thought of his servant girl.

Prince Nolan’s brows furrowed as he took in Owen’s hardened expression before he unexpectedly smiled. “We’ve just finished our conversation.”

Owen snorted. “Aconversation? That’s not how it appeared. You were touching her and looking at her as if…” It seemed he couldn’t bear to finish.

My cheeks heated. Prince Nolan might have been looking at me in the way Owen described, but any tenderness had undoubtedly only come from his gratitude for my help and because the topic of our conversation happened to be about the woman he loved.

I shook my head and gestured to indicate that he was wrong in assuming Prince Nolan and I were romantically interested in one another, but for once he wasn’t paying attention.

He wrapped an arm around my waist to tenderly nestle me against his side, something he’d never done before. My breath caught. Though the gesture was likely only part of our usual act, the heat that enfolded me from being pressed so closely to him didn’t at all feel like pretend.

“Marisa deserves better,” he said. “I will never forgive you if your actions made her uncomfortable.” His hold tightened around me rather protectively.

“I would never wish to—” Prince Nolan began, but once more his attempt at an explanation was cut off.

“You already have plenty of women fawning over you,” Owen snapped. “Be content with them and leave Marisa alone.”

I tapped Owen’s arm to get his attention so I could attempt to defend Prince Nolan, and when that didn’t work, I stood in front of him. Owen simply stepped around me, not seeming inclined to look away from the prince. Prince Nolan stared evenly back before lowering his gaze to Owen’s cozy hold around me.

He nodded to himself. “I understand the situation. Forgive me for giving you any cause for concern.” He bowed to Owen, and after exchanging another grateful, slightly mischievous look with me, he departed.

Owen glared after him while mumbling to himself. I only caught a few words: “…not sure what she’d see in him…has enough female attention…future king…everyone thinks he’s so handsome…good at everything…” He heaved a rather disgruntled sigh before finally turning to me. “Are you alright? Did the prince hurt you in any way?”

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