“Stop staring,” Rema whispered. “You can’t afford to be distracted by the prince’s squire.”
Allyssa felt her face heat up. She wanted to contradict her mother, but the look on Rema’s face said the subject was closed for now.
“You and I will talk later, just the two of us,” Rema whispered.
“Your Highness,” Prince Odar said, taking Allyssa’s hand and kissing the top of it.
She forced herself to focus on him. “Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” He offered her his arm, and she took it.
Darmik cleared his throat and came before the royal couple. “We’re going to make this brief,” he said. “We must assume King Drenton of Russek has sent spies to our city to track our movements. He won’t be happy to learn our kingdom is joining forces with Fren.”
“Make sure the two of you don’t look too serious,” Rema said, smiling at them. “You need to show everyone that you are happy, in love, and strong. We must give them reassurance before this war.”
“Let’s go,” Darmik said, joining hands with Rema. Together, they walked onto the balcony, and the crowd below roared. Allyssa hoped that when she became empress, the people loved her as much as they loved her mother—that her decisions, policies, and actions deserved such loyalty.
Odar patted Allyssa’s hand that rested on his arm. “Have I told you how utterly astonishing you look?”
Thankfully, Mayra had applied some color to Allyssa’s lips, concealing the cut the assassin had given her last night. Without meaning to, she glanced at Jarvik again. He was staring right at her, and she quickly looked away.
Rema began speaking to the crowd, telling them that she had a special announcement to make. “My lovely daughter, Princess Allyssa, your future empress, is engaged to Prince Odar of Fren. The marriage contract has been signed. After my daughter travels to Fren to meet with the king and queen, the ceremony will take place.”
That was Allyssa’s cue. Together, she and Prince Odar walked onto the balcony, and the crowd roared their approval. She smiled and waved, just as she’d been trained to do. Glancing sidelong at Prince Odar, he was doing the same thing, and the people of Emperion loved it.
Rema raised her hands, and the crowd went silent. Darmik briefly spoke of the upcoming war and Emperion’s mighty strength. Then he started talking about Fren and their lethal army. While her father spoke, Allyssa scanned the crowd, wondering if the assassin stood among them. Guards had checked everyone who entered the courtyard and weapons were confiscated. However, she was sure if the assassin wanted to be there fully armed, he’d find a way. Standing on the nearby rooftops were several archers intently watching the people below.
The cheering resumed and Odar gently led Allyssa forward, closer to the railing. It was her turn to speak. The people started cheering Princess Allyssa and Prince Odar, shouting their approval of the union . What if the assassin decided to murder the royal family right now? He wanted an opportunity to kill them, and here he had it. Odar reassuringly squeezed her hand.
Allyssa raised her hand, and everyone quieted down. “My dear people of Emperion,” she bellowed. “Thank you for coming today.” Fear coursed through her at the possibility of the assassin standing below, ready to throw a knife into her heart.
“I’m deeply honored and humbled to be marrying Princess Allyssa,” Odar said, saving her from speaking. “Emperion is a beautiful kingdom with hard-working citizens and just rulers. I promise to serve you and to cherish this kingdom as my own.”
The crowd shouted their approval. The guards ushered the royal family off the balcony and back into the antechamber.
“I messed up my speech,” Allyssa moaned. She’d been so afraid of the assassin, it had paralyzed her.
“It’s fine,” Odar consoled her.
“It truly is,” Rema said, hugging her daughter. “The people needed to see you, and they did.”
Jarvik came before her. “I’ll escort the prince and princess back to their chambers,” he said.
“Thank you,” Rema replied as she left with Darmik and Neco.
Allyssa, surrounded by Odar, Jarvik, her ladies-in-waiting, and two sets of guards, made her way through the corridors.
Pulling free from the prince, she stopped walking. “Is something the matter?” Odar asked.
She glanced to Marek, trying to figure out an excuse to leave the prince and his men so she could be alone for a little bit. She couldn’t claim training or riding—she wasn’t dressed appropriately for either activity.
“Pardon the intrusion,” Madelin said. “Don’t forget you need to see the seamstress before the ball this evening.”