Page 41 of Glass Hearts
Sylas nods. “I know. Luckily, they are at an impasse, so no one can pass the tax increase. We will just have to sit out their arguing.”
Our place within the Crown Council has always been tenuous, never solid. For generations, the council operated alongside the Isle’s royalty, but always with a certain distance, their attention fixed more on lording over Eldor than shaping a shared future. We’re meant to be the first generation to rule not just our islands, but all of Velora—together. And yet, as we stepped into adulthood, that promised shift in power never truly came.
We’re still treated like boys in waiting. Like placeholders. Every time Sylas or I try to lead, to steer us toward something new, Hendrickson or Mendez step in with the same wornexcuses:you’re not ready, you need queens, the time isn’t right.We know it’s bullshit. They know we know. But we play along, because we can’t afford to alienate our strongest allies.
Still, the leash tightens. It’s suffocating. And I can’t help but wonder—how long before their ‘just one more thing you need to do’turns into ‘never at all?’
I take out my sketchbook and set to drawing. Getting comfortable for what I am sure will be a long day. Drawing has always comforted me, and I find my charcoal moving mindlessly. A familiar angelic face with expressive eyes and a pert nose appears on my blank page. I crumple up the page before I fill out the details. I can’t get her face out of my head.
Then I remembered the befallen look on her face as she saw me embrace Adrianna briefly. Shame twists in my gut. I don’t want to hurt her, but I also can’t trust her and the way she makes me feel when she is around.
So far, she hasn’t tried to run off, and overall she has been doing all her duties.
Duties she shouldn’t be doing as ours. The betraying voice in my head says.
“Well. A deadlock is where we find ourselves. We should adjourn this meeting for now as the evening has already befallen us. We have most likely missed dinner service,” Councilman Thibaut, Bri’s father, sighs, the leather of his chair creaking as he rises. On this, the entire council agrees as they move out.
Councilman Hendrickson halts us with a booming voice before we can leave.
“Boys, how has the courting event been treating you? You have quite a selection of beautiful women. Though, I think you should spend more time with the Baudelaire sisters.” Hendrickson used to never call usboys;the slight disrespect is not lost on us.
“Hendrickson, addressing us asboysstill? I do recall we areprinces,” Grayer snarks. He has been getting angrier and angrier at the councilman as he falls harder for Arabella, knowing he would be the first to put a stop to the ‘unworthy’ match.
“My apologies, my Prince. I see you all as my sons; it’s a habit. I just want what’s best for you and all of Velora. And I have noticed that no one has given attention to the sisters, and they are noticing.”
“Tell me, Hendrickson, are you insinuating that we shouldjustbe focusing on the sisters? I thought this complete farce was to find matches we desire?”
“Why yes, Prince Koi, we want you all to be happy. Though I think you should give the sisters a chance. They would make fabulous queens. And how perfect that you would all remain even more connected, with sisters as your center. It truly would be the perfect match. Even if it isn’t a love match, I would not judge you all in choosing the other ladies as concubines.” The asshole would assume we would continue to sleep around even after committing to a marriage. I am not sure when Hendrickson changed, but lately he has been getting bolder. His true colours seem to shine more, and I am not sure I like what I am seeing. He used to be a jovial man, always with kind words. Yet for a while, his demeanour and values has changed; I just can’t seem to pinpoint why.
“We will see to spending more time with the sisters,” Sylas says, trying to end the conversation, even as Koi and Grayer shoot him death glares.
“Excellent. Well, have a pleasant evening, my princes.”
Grayer waits for him to leave before exploding at Sylas.
“Are you for fucking real? Those sisters are fucking awful, the way they speak to Arabella? I want nothing to do with them!”
“I know, brother.” Sylas sighs as he runs a hand over his face. “I just wanted to get Hendrickson off our backs for the evening.Something tells me he would have stayed here arguing until we agreed to his request. Also, Koi, you are off thief-watching duty tonight. Archer is filling in.”
Koi stands up just as angry. “What the fuck, Sy?!”
“The little thief makes you both untrustworthy. We hear of your plans. She is not a wife option,” I interject for Sy.
Both Koi and Grayer walk off angrily. Sylas’s shoulders sink. He has always tried to ensure we were all happy. I know it probably distresses him in their anger towards him. I place a hand on his shoulder.
“We will get through this. Perhaps we should start discussing whether we should just have her removed from the castle?”
I note Sylas’s fists bunching up, and anger flares in his eyes. Interesting.
“No, that’s not an option, Arch. You and I both know it.” He walks off before I can say anything else.
* * *
So far, Arabella has not tried to leave her room. It is late, and the whole castle is resting.
I hear rustling in her room, and the movement from under her door catches my eye. I slink further back into the shadows as I notice her door creaking open. The little thief is decked out in her Shadow attire.
I knew it; it was only a matter of time before she went back to her lying ways.
