Page 104 of Spearcrest Prince

What hasn’t he done? “It’s a long story.”

“Well, how about you?”

“What do you mean, ‘how about me’?”

“It’s not like you to let a boy bring you down. I’m guessing if you didn’t care about him, you’d be okay. I’m guessing even if you hated him, you’d still be okay. So what I’m guessing is that you like him.”

There’s a long moment of silence. Things have gone quiet on Noël’s side now. He must be sitting down, focusing on me and my problem. He’s normally so supportive and helpful. Calm and mature and always truthful.

But why would he try calling me out like this?

When I don’t say anything, he continues. “Okay, so you like him. Does he like you?”

I hesitate. “I think so.”

“Has he said so?”

“No. He’s an idiot and a coward and incredibly delusional.”

“But you still like him.” There’s amusement in Noël’s voice.

“It’s like he’s not a real person. Bigger than life. Colourful. Grandiose. Like a fairy tale character.”

“Right… ?”

“And I want to paint him and humble him and amuse him and argue with him.”

Noël’s voice shimmers with amusement. “And hold him and kiss him and write him poems and braid flowers into his hair.”

I glare at my phone even though this is only a normal phone call, and he can’t see me. I’m sure he’ll be able to sense my glare—I hope he can.

“Don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not—I think it’s cute that you have a crush. You deserve to be happy, little sister. I’m glad you like him. It’s kind of ideal, no?”

“Ideal?” I sit bolt upright in my bed, completely baffled. “How could it possibly be ideal? It’s the complete opposite of ideal!”

“How?” Now it’s Noël’s turn to sound baffled. “In general, it’s good news if you like the person you’re engaged to.”

“But, Noël.” My voice sounds small, even to my ears. “You know I’m moving to Japan soon.”

“So?”

“So. The engagement will obviously be over.”

“Does it have to be?”

I blink. “Yes… ?”

“Look.” Noël takes a deep breath that almost sounds like a sigh. “You’re not coming here so that you can give up the things you want as well as the things you don’t. If you want to get away from Maman and Papa, you can—if you want to keep in touch with them, you can. If you want to break the engagement, do so. But if you want to stay engaged, then stay engaged. And if you want theRoi Soleilbut don’t want to be engaged to him, then do that. Do what you want. Isn’t that the point of freedom? To do what you want?”

My heart beats fast at his words. I hold my breath then finally speak. “What if I don’t know what I want?”

“Figure it out.” Noël’s voice is firm. “You’re not a child,petite étoile. You’re a young woman. Figure out what you want. Then do what you want and do what’s right. It’s as simple as that.”

I let out a weak laugh. “Is it really?”

“Et ben oui.” Noël echoes my laugh, a soft, comforting sound. “You know, I learned a Japanese saying tonight.”

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