Page 10 of Façade

I glanced at Prince Ryland standing at the other side of the parlor. Other than the priests overseeing the ceremony, our sole witness was the prince’s elder brother, Crown Prince Lucian, whom I’d only met a handful of times during past diplomatic visits but whom I’d rarely spoken to. There was no doubt about the topic of their exchange; with the tension shrouding them as they whispered furiously back and forth, I wondered if there’d evenbea marriage.

Though I was too far away to overhear their heated discussion, I was able to read the lips of a single word they tossed back and forth:magic. It was as I suspected. Hopefully, the promise of what would come from a union with Estoria would be enough for the crown prince to disregard protocol and move forward with our hasty marriage, despite its unconventional nature.

The conversation finally ended with Crown Prince Lucian’s relenting sigh punctuating the otherwise uncomfortable silence, and after a curt nod, he strode from the room. Prince Ryland didn’t immediately approach me but remained at a distance, pinching the bridge of his nose as if warding off a headache. Our marriage hadn’t even transpired and already he was weary.

I hesitated a moment before venturing closer. “Is everything alright, Prince Ryland?”

With a sigh he faced me, his smile forced. “Everything is fine. My brother offers his sincere congratulations and blessing for our union.”

I stifled a laugh. Another conquest in this game of mine, meaning Crown Prince Lucian was also a scoundrel. It certainly made my job easier. But despite being pleased that I’d achieved the outcome I’d hoped for, anxiety crippled me at the thought of what would transpire now that the last obstacle had been removed, and for a moment, fear reigned stronger than the noble intentions that had guided me to this point. It wasn’t too late to end this before I became so entangled it’d be impossible to escape, though time was rapidly running out before word got out that I was a decoy.

“Does he now?”

“He does.”

I gnawed my lip as I studied the tension hardening my husband-to-be. He was clearly lying, not the best foundation on which to build our new life. The doubts warring within me only grew. “Forgive me, but from what I gathered of the conversation, Crown Prince Lucian didn’t appear to be extending his well wishes for our future.”

Prince Ryland stiffened. “Indeed.” He cleared his throat. “I’m afraid as the future king he’s particularly concerned about the wisdom in marrying without either our father or the king and queen of Estoria being present to sanction the union.”

“And did you explain the reasons why we must marry in haste?”

“I did, and after much consideration, he’s accepted our reasoning and has offered his blessing and support. He’s gone to inform the priest. We’re to meet him in the Royal Chapel within the hour.”

My breath caught. So soon. The arrangements were unfolding much more quickly than I’d anticipated, undoubtedly according to the crown prince’s wishes so he could connect his kingdom to the magic he desperately wanted as soon as possible. Once more, desperation proved to be my ally, and I would manipulate it for all it was worth in order to achieve my ends.

“Will your father disapprove of our hasty union and be angry he missed the ceremony?” Too late I realized that such a question would only cause Ryland to doubt our plans…but in this moment, the reservations I couldn’t fully escape proved stronger, my desperation for the reprieve I secretly yearned for despite this being the necessary course.

Prince Ryland hesitated. “He’ll understand. He initially agreed to our contract, so even though our fulfillment of it is unconventional, he will not disapprove of the union.” I sensed the words he didn’t speak: nor would the king regret our marriage allowing him to get his greedy hands on Estoria’s magic.

The fear encasing my heart tightened at the thought of the potential consequences that might befall me in His Majesty’s wrath the moment he realized I’d thwarted his goals—execution being my greatest fear—but that was a problem for the future.

Despite the potential risks, I had no choice but to press forward. Although I felt no love for Prince Ryland, love still guided my decision, even if it was a different one than I’d ever expected to be part of my marriage—love for my family and subjects, despite them no longer being mine to claim, would see me through, the only glimmer of light in the darkness shrouding the future I dreaded.

Prince Ryland offered his arm to escort me to the Royal Chapel. My heart escalated with every step, each bringing me closer to my impending execution. My breaths came up short and fast, but I did my best to suppress my nerves; if Prince Ryland suspected I had any reason to be wary of unifying with him, he’d question my motives, and my scheme would unravel before it’d fully begun.

I took several deep breaths.This needs to be done, I reminded myself.With their lust for power, if Brimoire gets a hold of Estoria’s magic, they’ll bleed my kingdom dry. I must protect the people…even if they’re not my subjects any longer.

Crown Prince Lucian awaited us in the grand chapel with a royal priest, who appeared uncertain about the reason he’d been so hastily summoned. Though he cast the princes several questioning glances, neither he nor the assistant priests who would oversee the ceremony as witnesses protested the arrangement, robbing me of the last remaining thing that might falter my resolve.

Crown Prince Lucian handled the logistical tasks, providing the priest with the necessary documents, including the contract signed between Brimoire and Estoria that had officially created our engagement. Prince Ryland and I waited stiffly on one of the abandoned benches, our rigid posture not at all that of a couple in love eagerly awaiting their marriage, but of two indifferent strangers.

The preparations completed far too soon. After several tense minutes and a lengthy quiet exchange between the crown prince and the royal priest, he successfully obtained the royal license for our marriage. Prince Ryland took my hand and escorted me to the front of the chapel, his clammy grip a sign of his own nerves even as his expression remained aloof.

We paused in front of the altar resting beneath a beautiful window of stained glass that allowed the sunlight to filter through and surround us in glistening colored patterns of light, a beautiful sight tainted by our circumstances.

Prince Ryland’s whisper broke the silence we both seemed determined to maintain between us as he leaned towards my ear. “Are you ready?”

Every part of me screamedno, a word that took great effort to contain. I glanced sideways at him, and though his stoic manner didn’t falter, his soft inquiry contained just enough gentleness for me to hope that despite all that had led us to this point that the man wasn’t a complete cad.

Remember your own deception means you’re not entirely without fault, my conscience whispered.

For the good of my kingdom, I hastily reminded myself.

My conscience didn’t seem inclined to respond to this justification, but I couldn’t allow myself to examine its disapproval too closely, else I’d lose what was left of my fragile resolve completely.

I took a wavering breath as I met the prince’s gaze. “I’m ready.” Another lie, but a necessary one.

He nodded once and without another word turned us to face the royal priest.

---