Page 27 of Façade

My heart pounded wildly as we stared at one another. His gaze flickered over me, taking in not only my plain attire but the water and dirt marring my hem. I dropped my skirts to cover my bare feet, but my toes could still be seen peeking out from beneath my hem.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, as if aching to smile, a movement that penetrated his shock enough for him to offer me a polite bow in greeting. “Good morning, Evelyn. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company so early?” As he spoke, he tucked his book beneath his arm, hiding the title from view.

“I could ask the same of you.” It was yet another puzzle to the husband I didn’t particularly care about solving. I studied the area he’d been examining in hopes of acquiring a much-needed clue to his perplexing mysteries but found nothing of consequence, only rocks. My brow furrowed.

He avoided my eyes, as if suddenly shy. “Mornings are my favorite time of day. I often rise early so that I might enjoy them.”

“As do I.” I frowned, more bothered by this commonality than I ought to be. I wanted nothing in common with my enemy, as if each similarity put me on the same dishonorable level as him. Not to mention his tendency to rise early would make it difficult to enjoy time away from him.

“Evelyn?”

I blinked to find Ryland staring at me, awaiting an answer to a comment my wandering mind had failed to process. He studied me with a pensive pucker. “Your thoughts seem to wander a lot.”

“Perhaps my mind wouldn’t drift if you gave it a reason to stay present.” The quip escaped before I could check it, and I immediately regretted it. Unlike how we’d parted ways yesterday, we were actually having a civil conversation. I hastily covered my mouth, as if to trap the words that had already tumbled out.

I expected Ryland’s resulting offense to spiral us into another argument…but instead his lips twitched, as if the only thing he was fighting a smile. “It appears you’re still upset about yesterday.”

I blinked at him.Yesterday?Oh yes,yesterday. The loveliness of the day had chased away those shadows, but now I gritted my teeth to be think of them anew. Though I’d anticipated Ryland’s inquiries about my supposed magic, I still hated the feeling of being used…just as I’d been in my role as a decoy.

He eyed the tension lining my jaw and heaved a weary sigh. “Forgive me, I shouldn’t tease you, not when an apology is in order instead.”

That was the last thing I expected from him. “An apology? For what?”

Crimson stained his cheeks. “For what transpired between us yesterday.”

“Which incident are you referring to? Your fumbled request for my magic, or holding my hand?” I lifted my brow in silent challenge.

“Both. It wasn’t my intention to treat you as I did. You have every right to be upset with me.”

The memory of our previous awkwardness returned full force—the tension, our small fight, and most of all the pressure to be true to my kingdom and make them proud, all of which I had to balance with the expectations created by my unwanted husband.

I’d expected many things from him, but certainly not an apology. It made it more difficult to dislike him; perhaps that was all part of his elaborate scheme. That felt easier to believe, especially when his sincerity would only muddle my mission.

I frowned. “Though it was a strenuous interaction, I still find this all rather sudden.”

“Perhaps, though it’s a necessary precursor to the courtship you desire. And although I likely moved too quickly, your own wishes are sound. Despite our marriage being one of convenience, striving to make it work will only strengthen the alliance between our kingdoms.”

My settling heart sprang to life again. Ihadasked for a courtship, but the request had merely been a ploy to delay his inevitable discovery that the wife he’d married for her magic didn’t possess any at all, a revelation that would cause our façade to shatter around us in broken, irreplaceable pieces that would pave his path to exploiting the true princess.

“What would you like to do?” I managed. Despite our lengthy engagement, our limited interactions had been unromantic, leaving me lost as to how to navigate even an illusion of romance.

He glanced towards the nearby trees whose leafy canopy shaded us from the rising morning sun. “We could climb a tree?”

I stiffened. “A tree?” It was a strange suggestion, for though I enjoyed engaging in such a wild past time, Ryland surely did not.

He nodded, his knowing gaze lingering on mine. “I know the suggestion is unconventional and not one a proper princess would welcome.” Though his expression remained serious, laughter lit his eyes; he was teasing me, a thought I found both a refreshing reprieve from the monotony of our previous conversations and aggravating.

“Climbing trees is the latest fad of the court,” I said with equal solemness, which earned me a slight but welcome smile.

“Is there a story behind your unusual hobby?”

Words and images filled my mind—of the first time I’d explored the leafy boughs, a world so different than could found on the ground and which offered a vantage point from which to admire the gardens stretching all around. Within the cradling cocoon of branches I’d felt protected from the expectations and judgements that had constantly surrounded me since birth. Trees offered not only a new world, but a haven.

But these reminiscences were far too personal to share with him, leaving me nothing to offer in exchange for his token of friendliness. He waited a moment, and when I remained silent, he awkwardly cleared his throat.

“If you’re not up for tree climbing, perhaps there’s another activity you’d prefer?” Despite my inconsiderate silent treatment, his tone remained polite, such a contrast to the last time we’d spoken. Perhaps the prince didn’t hold a grudge, which would be most unfortunate considering I was determined not to findanythingto like about him.

My mind skimmed over all my hobbies—walking barefoot, climbing trees, and all the other unconventional past times I secretly enjoyed, none of which were appropriate for a princess, let alone for a royal courtship.

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