Page 77 of A Kingdom's Heart
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
His hair was dark blonde, brushed neatly back, a soft curl at the ends that caught the light. His eyes were sharp and green, the kind that saw everything and gave nothing away. His coat was silver and blue, tailored perfectly, gold embroidery tracing every seam. Every line of him spoke of confidence and control.
He reached for my hand, his fingers cool against mine. When he bowed again and pressed a kiss to my knuckles, the motion was gentle but precise, like part of a ritual he’d done a hundred times before.
“My lady,” he said. His voice was smooth, careful, rehearsed. “It is an honor to meet you.”
I swallowed, my throat dry. “The honor is all mine.”
He studied me for a moment, his eyes bright with amusement or
maybe curiosity. I couldn’t tell. Then a faint smile curved his lips, revealing his dimples. “You’re even more beautiful than I expected.”
Heat rose to my cheeks. I forced a small, polite smile. “You’re kind to say so, my lord.”
He gave a low laugh, soft and easy, the kind that was meant to charm. “I only speak the truth.”
Behind him, both kings watched closely. I could feel my father’s gaze like a weight on my shoulder, waiting for me to say the right words, to look the right way.
The silence that followed was mercifully broken by King
Phelipe’s voice. “You all must be hungry from your journey,” he said, spreading his arms with a warm smile. “Come, we had the chefs prepare something special for the occasion.”
My father nodded, his hand guiding me once more as the royal family turned toward the grand dining hall. I followed, each step heavier than the last, the smile on my face still painted and hollow.
The dining hall was vast and gleaming, its arched ceiling painted with silver and blue, the colors of Valebran. Crystal chandeliers hung from above, catching the light that poured through the tall windows overlooking the sea. A long table stretched across the room, draped in white linen and covered with plates of food that looked too hot to touch. Roasted chicken glistened beside trays offigs and sugared pastries. Platters of beef and fresh fruit were arranged with perfect precision, as though the meal itself had been rehearsed.
Prince Lorenzo stepped ahead and pulled out a chair for me. “Have a seat, my lady,” he said with an easy smile.
I managed one in return, polite but thin. “Thank you.”
He waited until I sat before taking his own seat beside me. The others followed, our fathers at the head of the table, Queen Sonja beside King Phelipe, and the little princess near the end. William stood behind me with the guards, his presence a small comfort.
King Phelipe lifted his goblet. “Please, dine in,” he said warmly.
“You must be tired from your travels. Don’t be shy.”
It wasn’t shyness that kept me from reaching for the food. It was the weight in my chest, heavy and dull, that left no space for hunger.
Prince Lorenzo reached for a platter, placing a roasted chicken leg and a small pastry onto my plate. “Eat with a smile,” he said lightly, though there was something firm beneath his tone.
My father gave me a look across the table, a silent command. I forced my hands to move, to pick up the fork, to chew and swallow. The food tasted of nothing.
Behind me, I could feel William’s gaze, steady and watchful. It shouldn’t have brought me comfort, but it did.
King Phelipe rose partway through the meal, goblet raised again. “It brings me great joy to know our kingdoms will be united,” he said. “Together, we will build something stronger than before.”
My father answered with a smile that looked almost genuine. “May this alliance bring peace to both our lands.”
The table filled with talk, and then laughter, clinking glasses, the rustle of silk. Everyone seemed to be speaking at once, yet I heard none of it.
Lorenzo turned to me, his voice smooth. “So, my lady, after we eat, would you like to walk with me? The gardens here are beautiful this time of year.”
My stomach tightened. Every instinct told me to refuse, but I
swallowed hard and said, “I’d love to.”
His smile deepened, dimples showing again. “Splendid.”
