Page 13 of Façade

“Are you enjoying the meal?” Our shallow conversation began right on cue with this first menial topic. What would be next in our queue—a discussion about the weather?

Her lips pursed in slight disapproval, but she otherwise betrayed no emotion. “The food is delicious. I hope you’re also enjoying it.”

“Very much.”

Another uncomfortable silence settled around us, made more awkward after we’d filled the previous one with such trivial words, leaving me reluctant to stray to the next clichéd topic. As a royal, Evelyn was also accustomed to the standard conversations of the court. She cast a reluctant glance towards the window. Grey shrouded the sky, a reflection of the somber mood hovering over us.

“The weather is lovely.”

I couldn’t help it, my eyebrows lifted. “Despite it being overcast?”

“There’s something calming about cloudy days that offer a relief from the sunshine that’s often too warm and bright, not to mention they bring with them the possibility of rain.”

I continued to stare, unsure how to respond to this deviation from the usual script protocol dictated. “Do you enjoy the rain?” Unusual, but intriguing nonetheless.

“I do. It cleanses the earth and creates the flowers.”

Her charming answer tempted me to smile, a response that felt inappropriate considering my intentions towards her. With great effort I suppressed the impulse and turned my own attention towards the window. “Our kingdom rarely sees the sun anymore, not since…”

I didn’t finish. It was painful to speak of our kingdom’s circumstances, even as I knew I needed to direct the conversation towards that necessary direction…eventually; it seemed too early to broach such a heavy topic now.

Silence returned, a state that seemed to escalate my wife’s already taut nerves. I took in her rigid posture and anxious fidgeting before meeting her gaze with a soft look. “Perhaps…we should get to know one another.”

She stiffened as if I’d just recruited her for the front lines to face our curse head-on. “Must we?”

The corner of my lips lifted slightly. “Wearemarried.” My mouth twisted on the unpleasant word before I hastily reverted to the expression politeness expected. “What are your hobbies?”

Though the question itself was innocent enough, for some reason it only escalated her agitation. She was silent a long moment as she considered far longer than such a response warranted. “Embroidery, drawing, music…”

The typical subjects for a woman of the court, none of which I shared, a promise that the time we spent together would likely be dull. I frowned but made no comment, not even one of polite interest.

“What of you?” she asked.

I hesitated. “The usual: studying, fencing, a good hunt…”

All of which acted as a cover for my favorite hobby that was one of my most carefully guarded secrets, considering it was the last thing one would ever expect from a proper prince. Yet another lie riddling my marriage, and though this one was small compared to the worst, it still left me feeling guilty.

I’d already grown weary of our tedious small talk and wondered if it’d laid enough of a foundation to carefully guide our conversation to the most pressing matter. I cleared my throat. “I’m quite interested in the education you received as crown princess. What are your favorite subjects?”

I’d thought the question innocent enough, but she narrowed her eyes, making me fear she’d noticed my subtle manipulation.

“I had very competent tutors and enjoyed all my studies immensely.” With that vague response, she returned to the mint lamb and rosemary roasted potatoes the servants had just presented as our main course.

I fidgeted with my fork, my own meal remaining untouched. “It must have been wonderful being raised in a magical kingdom surrounded by such power. It’s admittedly a topic I’m unfamiliar with but which has always fascinated me.”

I nearly winced at utilizing such a direct approach so soon.Smooth, Ryland.

I hoped my wife wouldn’t notice, but unfortunately the girl was too clever. Though overall she maintained her poise, she seemed on the brink of rolling her eyes, an impulse she masked with a hasty swig from her goblet.

“Magic was the foundation of my education, but unfortunately there’s little about the subject I can share with someone who doesn’t possess it and thus can never fully understand it.” With an exaggerated sweet smile, she took another bite from her tart, her subtle hint to drop the topic…one I unfortunately couldn’t accept.

“I’ve always possessed great interest in all fields of study, especially those I know little about.”

Her eyes flashed, making me fear I’d pressed her a bit too far. “I could only educate you in the very basics, considering the knowledge is only of use to those who actually wield magic. Thus we have little need to discuss this further, especially considering our marriage has very little need of my powers.” Her look was one of challenge, as if daring me to contradict the assumption.

That was where she was wrong. I carefully considered my next words. “If my kingdom ever experienced such a need, would our alliance allow us to rely on Estoria for the aid we seek?”

I hoped she’d at least consider it, but to my frustration she immediately shook her head. “Magic is very dear to our kingdom. As Estoria’s primary resource and the foundation for the prosperity we enjoy, we currently only produce enough to sustain our small kingdom. Though our alliance has given Estoria vested interest in Brimoire, our own people will always come first, something I’m certain you understand given your position as consort.”

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