Page 85 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1
"That's somehow less grand than I expect it to be."
"I've never really thought about it. I always intended to avoid marriage completely."
"What changed?"
"Agnes ran away with her bodyguard."
"That also makes more sense now," I murmur.
He raises an eyebrow. "It does?"
"Yes. I'm just seeing all the reasons it was obvious you were a prince and realising I'm an idiot."
"You're not an idiot, Bea," he assures me. "If I never said, how were you to know?"
I groan. "Marcus has got to think I'm an idiot now."
"How so?"
"Because after he caught us in the library, I went on like an idiot about how my future husband wouldn't be pleased about what just happened." I run a hand over my face.
"I actually had a similar conversation with him, so he'll think we're both idiots, and when we tell him, he's going to laugh at us."
"He'd be right to," I respond. I close my eyes and lean my head on his shoulder. "I'm glad it's you I'm marrying."
"Me too," he says, reaching out to put his hand over mine.
I know there's a lot to figure out still, but things do seem a little less bleak when I know who I'm going to be figuring them out alongside.
EIGHT
Pip's tail is going so fast that I think it might be about to fall off. I don't know if she's just in a good mood, or if she can sense that I'm in a better place. I don't suppose it matters. My dog's happiness is one of the reasons I don't mind being at court.
I push open the door to the dining room, somewhat relieved that it's just Bella sitting there. Bastian might show up at some point, but at least we'll have some peace until then. He's definitely not a morning person.
"Thank you," I say brightly to the servant who brings me my blood.
Another sets down Pip's bowl, and she waits patiently until I give her the command, only to gobble up her food the moment I give it.
"You're in a good mood," Bella says, watching me warily.
"I am," I respond. "Though you could have told me that Lincoln was the prince."
She raises an eyebrow. "You weren't aware?"
"Not until yesterday, no." Maybe I shouldn't admit that to her, but Bella likes honesty, so I don't see the problem with it.
"I assumed he would have told you when you were first introduced."
"We weren't really introduced as such," I admit. "We met by chance. Twice, actually."
"Ah."
I pick up a pastry. "And he thought I knew already, so he didn't tell me. And I didn't exactly think to ask, because why would I be lucky enough to accidentally end up with feelings for the person I'm betrothed to?"
"I had such hopes for you," Bella laments.
I roll my eyes. "Let's guess? Don't fall in love with your husband."
