Cage of Deceit(20)

“Smile,” Darmik murmured as he dipped his daughter.

“I’m trying,” she replied through gritted teeth, forcing herself to grin.

He chuckled. “Come on,” he said. “This isn’t so bad. You act like we’re torturing you.”

She looked pointedly at him.

“Prince Odar is by no means ugly, and all accounts claim he is an intelligent man. At least give him a chance. He might surprise you.”

“The only thing that would surprise me would be if he actually turned out to be intelligent.”

“Allyssa, watch your tongue.”

She laughed. “You can’t tell me someone who looks like that has a genuine thought in his head.”

Darmik squeezed her hand. “You can’t tell me my daughter is so conceited and haughty to not even give him the benefit of the doubt.” He spun her around again. “All I’m asking is that you make an attempt to speak with him a couple of times. That way you can acquire a feel for his disposition.”

She stared into her father’s warm brown eyes. He’d never asked her to become acquainted with a man before. She had known this day would come; yet, she wasn’t ready for it. Responsibility, duty to her kingdom, money—it was all overrated. Still, she loved her family, loved Emperion, and was in a position of power. She needed to take it seriously.

Darmik leaned closer, speaking into her ear. “Prince Odar has requested the next dance.”

She’d figured as much. “I would be honored to dance with someone so handsome and charming.”

He kissed her cheek. “Try not to overdo it—it’s not very becoming.”

Allyssa chuckled. For her father, she would be the perfect princess and speak cordially to the pretty prince. If only she could be herself, if only she could say what she wanted to instead of what she should, if only. … She sighed.

The prince bowed next to her, a pleasant smile on his face. Darmik handed her over to the prince like a piece of property, and she tried not to cringe. She was a princess, elegant, refined, and all that the position implied. At least, that was what she kept telling herself. Because, truth be told, she hated being stuck in this castle, playing this game.

Prince Odar took her hand and placed his free one on her lower back. A new song began, and they moved together to the beat. She kindly smiled, not in the mood to make pointless conversation. She was certain the prince was an expert in that area and didn’t need to practice with her.

After a few moments, Prince Odar broke the silence. “Your castle is lovely,” he commented, his eyes sparkling in amusement.

“Isn’t it?” Allyssa crooned. “I simply adore this home. We have several, all larger than this one. But I’m sure you already knew that.”

He blinked several times before replying. “Yes, I did know that.”

He spun her around, and she glimpsed several female courtiers staring at Prince Odar. They all batted their eyelashes at the young prince, hoping to entice him with their beauty, money, or position. But none of them came close to offering the prince what Allyssa did, and so his focus remained solely on her. Whoever she married would become emperor to this great kingdom, and thereby, the most powerful man on the mainland.

“Is something the matter?” he asked.

Shaking her head, she wanted to kick herself for her own stupidity. She needed to stop being a selfish child and act like a princess. The fact was she had to marry, and she would not marry someone unworthy of ruling by her side. Her subjects deserved a just prince who would one day be an exceptional emperor.

“What brings you to Emperion?” she asked.

“I thought you knew.”

“I want to hear your version of events.”

He stared at her a moment, as if deciding what to tell her. He finally answered, “My parents asked me to pay you a visit. It seems we have a mutual enemy.”

“Do we?”

He nodded, his smile faltering.

“And tell me, my dear Prince Odar, what do you want from Emperion?”  The music ended and she stopped dancing, waiting for his answer.

The prince opened his mouth to respond when another gentleman approached, ready to claim her for the next dance.

“Another time perhaps,” was all she said before turning to her new partner. The prince already had a line of ladies eagerly waiting to dance with him.

After two dozen songs, Allyssa had had enough. Hoping to slip away unnoticed, she quickly made her way to the side door. She was almost there when Prince Odar’s squire pushed away from the wall where he’d been standing alone all evening.

“Leaving so early?” he asked as he approached her.

“I’m tired,” she lied, faking a yawn.