Chapter 45
The palace seemed to grow larger with every passing day. Its sprawling halls, golden chandeliers, and intricate carvings whispered secrets I could never hope to uncover. Servants bustled past with quiet efficiency, their eyes trained on the floor, while courtiers glided through the corridors, their laughter delicate as glass. Every corner seemed alive with intrigue, every shadow a reminder that I didn't belong here.
I sat by the window in my chambers, staring out at the manicured gardens below. A group of nobles strolled along the paths, their parasols swaying in the gentle breeze. Somewhere beyond the hedges, I knew Rowan was likely training or engaged in his endless duties. I'd seen so little of him since arriving at the palace, and though I told myself it didn't matter, the ache in my chest told a different story.
A knock at the door drew my attention. Milla, my assigned maid, stepped in with a letter pressed to her chest. She curtsied deeply before handing it to me.
"This was delivered just now, my lady," she said, her voice soft.
I broke the seal carefully, the elegant script inside revealing more than I wanted to read.
Lady Arin,
You are cordially invited to breakfast tomorrow morning in the west solarium. I would very much like to speak with you.
Warm regards,
Royal Concubine Elana
My blood turned cold. Elana. The late king's favored concubine, who was more or less the unofficial queen. Her beauty was legendary, her wit sharper than any blade. She was not a woman to cross, and certainly not one to underestimate. The thought of facing her, of sitting across from her under her scrutinizing gaze, sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn't risk it, I couldn't risk her recognizing me.
"Milla," I said, folding the letter and setting it aside. "Send my regards, but inform the Royal Concubine that I must decline. Say that I am... indisposed."
Milla hesitated, her wide eyes darting to the letter and then back to me. "My lady, are you certain? It's not common to refuse such invitations."
"I'm certain," I said firmly, though my hands trembled in my lap. "Please see to it."
She nodded reluctantly and left the room, leaving me alone with the weight of my decision.
I couldn't risk it. Elana's reputation for unraveling secrets was well-known, and though I had taken great care to conceal my identity, I couldn't shake the feeling that she would see through the facade the minute that she saw me.
The next day passed in a haze. I avoided the main corridors, keeping to the quieter wings of the palace. But by afternoon, the tension in the air had grown palpable. Whispers followed me wherever I went, servants' gazes lingering just a moment too long.
It wasn't until late evening that the confrontation I'd been dreading finally came.
I was returning to my chambers when a voice called out behind me.
"Lady Arin."
I froze, my pulse quickening. Turning slowly, I found myself face to face with Prince Lucian. His golden hair caught the light of the setting sun, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.
"Your Highness," I said, dropping into a curtsey.
"Walk with me," he said, gesturing toward the nearby gardens. It wasn't a request.
Silently, I followed him out into the cool evening air. The garden paths were deserted, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of crickets.
"I hear you declined the Royal Concubine's invitation," he said after a moment.
My heart thudded in my chest. "Yes, Your Highness. I was indisposed."
He stopped abruptly, turning to face me. His expression was unreadable, but there was a sharpness in his gaze that made my stomach twist.
"Indisposed," he repeated, his tone skeptical. "You don't seem indisposed now."
"I..." I hesitated, searching for an excuse. "It was a minor ailment. Nothing to concern yourself with."
His eyes narrowed. "Do you know what it means to decline someone like my mother? She holds significant influence in the palace. Offending her is unwise."
"I didn't mean to offend," I said quickly. "I simply wasn't feeling well."
Lucian studied me for a long moment, his silence heavy with unspoken questions. I forced myself to meet his gaze, praying he wouldn't press further. Finally, he sighed and continued walking, leaving me to trail after him.
"I came to speak with you about something else," he said, his tone softer now.
I frowned, struggling to keep up with his sudden shift in demeanor. "What is it?"
He stopped again, this time beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient oak. The dappled moonlight played across his features, making him look both ethereal and intimidating.
"I've been thinking," he said, his voice measured. "About alliances. About what would strengthen the kingdom in these uncertain times."
I nodded slowly, unsure of where he was going with this.
"And I believe," he continued, his gaze locking onto mine, "that a marriage between us would be the most logical choice."
For a moment, I thought I'd misheard him. Was he crazy?
"A marriage," I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," he said, his tone steady. "You come from a noble family. Your lineage is respectable. And your... unique position in the palace has already drawn considerable attention. A union between us would quell any speculation and solidify your place here."
I stared at him, stunned. The words seemed to echo in my mind, each one more surreal than the last. Marriage. To Prince Lucian.
"Your Highness," I said, struggling to find the right words. "This is... unexpected."
He arched a brow. "Do you find the idea objectionable?"
"No," I said quickly, though my heart screamed otherwise. "I mean, it's not that I object. It's just... I hadn't considered such a possibility."
Lucian tilted his head, his expression unreadable once more. "I understand this might come as a surprise, but I believe it's a decision that benefits us both. You gain security, and I gain a wife who understands the intricacies of court life."
I wanted to laugh at the irony. If he only knew how little I understood about court life, how desperately I was clinging to this charade.
"May I have time to think about it?" I asked, my voice trembling.
He nodded, though there was a hint of impatience in his gaze. "Of course. But don't take too long, Lady Arin. Decisions like these are best made swiftly."
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