Page 19 of Mercenary Princess

At those words, Sophia felt a flicker of anger slip through the numbness, but she choked it back. Showing anger wouldn’t serve her well at all. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t expected this. But a few weeks of forced dating?

Irritation flashed in her mother’s eyes as she added, “The queen consort has offered to advise you, though I do not agree with some of your sister-in-law’s exclusions or why we have to go through this charade at all. William should simply choose your husband.”

Judging from the added chill to her mother’s already cold demeanor, Sophia likely owed Nichole a favor. It was fair to assume her sister-in-law had removed from the list any men who were particularly horrible human beings, no matter their political connections and titles.

Her mother continued. “If you cannot choose within the month, William will do it for you.”

More of that fury burned beneath the surface, but Sophia tamped it down violently. A month? “I will take a look.” If her façade had cracked at any moment during her mother’s words, the dowager queen hadn’t appeared to detect it. Her brother’s marriage to Nichole had been the only thing to save her for as long as it had. Her mother had insured the royal wedding of the king was drawn out for the most publicity, and the year since William had married had kept them all busy.

Her mother barely waited for Sophia’s agreement before turning toward her dressing room. “Go. You only have hours to look presentable.”

Effectively dismissed, Sophia exited the same way she’d entered, more than ready to be away from her mother. Being in her presence for even a moment left Sophia drained, but she also felt a ridiculous pang in her gut, the echo of the child she’d been wishing for some kind of approval, if not love, from the woman.

She definitely needed a few hours to relax if her mind was taking her in that old, toxic direction. A few hours of rest was her only hope of getting back to her normal state. In the evening, she’d present a charming front, and afterward, she’d get some much-needed sleep. Tomorrow, she’d deal with telling Jen about Viktor and decide how to deal with that list of her mother’s.

She passed another guard, and it made her edgy. It was a reminder that at any moment, the guards who’d been drugged last night might decide to talk. She might need to get to Jen sooner than later. Her only ally needed to know what was going on.

Her anxiety prompted memories of Viktor that she really didn’t need to relive while at the palace.

Mere feet from her rooms, she saw Nicole turn down the hall from the opposite direction. The woman’s blond hair hung in loose, silky waves, and she wore a simple knee-length dress that hugged her slight curves. Sophia smiled but didn’t relax. Regardless of how pleasant and kind the woman could seem, Nichole was a royal who believed in the monarchy.

Nichole’s eyes lit up when she returned Sophia’s smile. “So good to have you home, Sophia. We’ve been on such opposite agendas that it feels like it’s been ages.”

“It’s good to see you as well,” Sophia said as she reached out to accept the hug her sister-in-law offered. Nichole had implemented some good changes as queen of Porenza, and Sophia respected her for them. It assured her that if, or likely when, Sophia decided to utilize her exit strategy, Nichole would ensure all her charities were cared for, not just the ones Helen handpicked for the best political impact.

Nichole reached out to grasp Sophia’s hands as the other woman searched her eyes. “Have you seen your mother?”

“I just left her suite.”

Her sister-in-law nodded before turning to walk at her side. A guard opened the doors to Sophia’s room, and the waiting team of stylists and her assistant, Mary, made a hasty departure upon seeing the queen consort.

In relative privacy, they settled on a couch of cream and blue, facing one another. Sophia asked, “You’re here to advise me on my choice of husband?”

Nichole actually rolled her eyes, which made Sophia want to be her friend. But that wasn’t in the cards. Nichole and William had met at university, and she was warmer than any woman Sophia imagined her brother would choose as a wife. A part of her felt pity for the other woman, but as authentic as the woman seemed, it could easily be a lie. William had always been cold, like their father. At least he wasn’t truly amoral, like the old king had been. William had a moral code, even if he was controlling and demanding in his antiquated ruling style.

Thinking of her father and his death sent a shiver up Sophia’s spine.

“I’m here to tell you to take your time going through the list. I understand you’re going to London for a couple of weeks. Your mother insists we have your choice before the end of the month, but I’m sure I can get you more time.”

“Thank you. And, yes, I leave for London on Friday. I have some things to attend to and some dinners scheduled.”

“Look over the list while you’re there. I took the worst candidates off. I was lucky to have found William at university. I can’t imagine having to choose a husband without any shared history or common goals.”

Common goals?

To the world, Nichole and William played the part of loving newlyweds, though her comment confirmed they were more like business partners. She had thought there was some affection there, at least on Nichole’s part.

William had become king at twenty, after their father’s death. Sophia was aware that ruling a monarchy came with a great deal of pressure, but he’d been bred to it. He’d returned from university and finished his degree at the palace, always doing what was expected of him, including choosing a suitable wife. He ruled with a firm hand and a strict belief in tradition.

He used that same adherence to tradition to control all her financial accounts. “That’s how things have always been done in the monarchy,” he’d claimed. And he’d made it clear, just as her mother had, that if Sophia were to break any rules or embarrass the family, she’d suffer the consequences.

“How was Paris?” Nichole asked, jolting her from her thoughts.

“It was a good. I enjoyed time with some friends.”

“Good. The round of dinners here should be delightful. Your mother expects you to spend most of your time with the few nobles on the list who are able to attend. Try to have some fun as well.”

“I will,” she assured her sister-in-law, though it was highly unlikely she’d have any fun.

“I’d better get going. We both need time to get ready.” Nichole reached over and squeezed Sophia’s hands in hers before rising.

She reminded herself that Nichole’s loyalty was never in question—it was to William and the crown.

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