“Before we make any decisions, we need to meet the prince to make sure he’s suitable,” Darmik said.
“I agree,” Rema uttered.
“From all the reports I’ve received, he’s more than adequate,” Darmik assured her. He went over and embraced his wife. Neco bowed and left.
Holding her head high, Allyssa entered the sitting room. “Care to tell me what is going on?” She sat on the sofa, patiently waiting for her parents to explain why the prince from Fren was due to arrive at any minute.
Darmik took a step toward her, as if approaching an injured animal. “It has all happened rather suddenly,” he said.
She laughed. “Suddenly? You’ve had enough time to prepare the castle for our special guest.”
Rema looked at her with red eyes. “Honey,” she said, “I need … no, we need you to be on your best behavior for this prince.”
“I’m always on my best behavior.”
Darmik snorted and folded his arms.
“What I mean is,” her mother continued, “that there’s a lot of political turmoil going on right now throughout the continent. We need to feel Prince Odar of Fren out to determine where his kingdom stands.”
“We’ve never had anything to do with the kingdom of Fren,” Allyssa carefully said.
Darmik sat down next to his daughter on the sofa. “Fren is a powerful kingdom with a strong army,” he said. “I think it’s time we establish relations with them.”
Were things really so dire that her parents would seek out someone they barely knew for their daughter? “Have you discussed the possibility of marriage with him?” Allyssa asked.
Her parents exchanged worried glances. “Not specifically,” Rema answered. “However, our letter to Fren inviting the prince to come here to meet you certainly implied a union is possible.”
Emperion invited Fren here—not the other way around.
“But we’re not talking about marriage right now,” Darmik assured her. “All we want is for you to meet the prince and keep an open mind.”
“Be kind and cordial,” Rema added.
It suddenly became difficult to breathe. Allyssa had to go outside for some fresh air before she started arguing with her parents and became even more frustrated. “Fine,” she answered as she stood and left the Royal Chambers, her mother calling out for her to come back and discuss the matter in greater detail with them.
Allyssa made her way to one of the castle’s inner courtyards. She tried to walk slowly and elegantly around the gardens, like a princess should. When she passed courtiers, she smiled as they bowed to her. She needed to maintain the appearance of grace when all she really wanted to do was tear something apart and break free from this cage.
After a few minutes, her ladies-in-waiting arrived, falling in step beside her. “Where have you been?” Allyssa asked.
Madelin’s face turned pink, and Allyssa knew her friend must have been off with Marek somewhere. Mayra, on the other hand, said she had been speaking with her father.
“Do either of you know anything about Prince Odar of Fren?” Allyssa asked. They stopped near a red rosebush and she surreptitiously glanced around, making sure no one could overhear them.
Madelin shook her head. “I haven’t heard a thing. I even asked my parents, and they said they knew nothing about him.”
Allyssa looked to Mayra, but her friend wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“Marek,” Allyssa called over her shoulder. He’d brought her ladies-in-waiting to the courtyard and was now standing with the rest of her guards. He obediently came over.
“What do you know of Prince Odar?” she demanded.
Marek bit his lip and started fidgeting with the hilt of his sword.
“It wasn’t a request,” she said. She hated to pull rank, but she needed information.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” he said, purposely using her title, “but we’ve been instructed to keep our mouths shut on the matter. Your parents don’t want rumors or gossip floating around.”
Both her ladies-in-waiting nodded, affirming what Marek had said. “Very well,” Allyssa snapped, turning and heading back into the castle. She would not cry; they were simply following orders.
Mayra hurried to catch up. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “But we were given strict instructions.”
“It’s fine,” Allyssa lied. This was why she hadn’t told her ladies-in-waiting about sneaking out of the castle at night. Because when all was said and done, her parents outranked her and could make her ladies tell them anything they wanted to know. The staff’s loyalty was to the crown, not her. She was a symbol and a bargaining chip.