The grand banquet hall was unusually crowded. Despite the fierce storm that had blanketed our lands in frost and snow the night before, the castle felt hot and stifling. And incredibly loud.
Lords from the surrounding territories had gathered with their families, servants bustled about, vying or gambling for the privilege of serving food and drinks at the tables, and traveling actors and circus performers had arrived to entertain. Even His Majesty himself was in attendance. It seemed to be the first time he’d graced us with his presence during our unspoken exile.
The dazzle of jewels and vibrant, expensive attire embroidered with gold and silver was almost blinding. Truth be told, I had no desire to join in the general merriment. I lingered in the corridor, peering through the slightly ajar doors, using the excuse of giving last-minute instructions to the staff. All the honors and joys of the feast were left to Charlie and Anna. Though, my youngest sister was definitely not thrilled about it. In that, we were very much alike. While I was busy calculating how much this celebration would cost us and how we’d manage expenses and replenish supplies afterward, Anna was probably imagining herself galloping through the frost-covered forest on horseback, slashing at branches with a short sword. Only Charlie glowed with happiness, basking in the attention and eagerly prying news from the guests. She was the one who truly thrived on endless banquets.
Maybe I could’ve enjoyed the company too, if I didn’t know the real reason for their visit. Most of those gathered under this roof today weren’t here to congratulate our family on the upcoming marriage and alliance. They were waiting to see a miserable, weeping girl being handed over to the rabid Northern dog. And, of course, to catch a glimpse of Lord Nate Amor himself. After all, fame—even the darkest kind—draws people in.
Regardless, I’d do everything in my power to deny them the satisfaction of gloating. They’d see no hysterics or tears from me.
I scanned the faces of the guests once more but still couldn’t guess which one might be my future husband. If I’m being honest, they all looked the same to me. A noisy flock of colorful, chattering birds.
“I wonder which one of them is Amor?” I mused aloud, not even turning at the sound of footsteps behind me.
“None of them, my dear child,” came the reply, and I nearly jumped out of my skin as I recognized the king’s voice. I immediately dropped into a curtsy. “You may rise. No one will see us here. And I certainly hope no one will hear us either.”
His Majesty, King Creor, wasn’t the kind of man young ladies pictured while devouring romance novels or listening to ballads of knights rescuing their damsels from monsters and villains. Short and stocky, he stood at my exact height, making it easy to look into his eyes. His already low forehead was almost entirely hidden beneath the royal crown. Something in his features reminded me of my mother—the same steel-gray eyes, the light hair... or maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see. My mother’s gaze never held that cold sharpness, that calculating pensiveness. Her kindness had been genuine, not feigned. And her gentle, sympathetic smile never made me want to turn and run or hide like a snail in its shell from such “care.”
With His Majesty, one couldn’t afford to be too candid. Who knew what had really brought him to our castle? I found it hard to believe he’d suddenly been overcome with deep affection for his nieces. More likely, he’d come to personally oversee... what, exactly?
“I beg your pardon...” I said reservedly, offering an apology.
I figured my hesitation could pass for the fright of a provincial girl, which is exactly how they were supposed to see me. Better to be thought a simpleton than to become a royal plaything.
“Never mind!” the king dismissed with a wave of his hand, continuing to pierce me with that razor-sharp gaze. “Are you ready to meet your future husband?”
“As ready as one can be for such a thing, Your Majesty!” I replied, rising and choosing my words carefully, a faint smile on my lips. Maybe I could appeal to my uncle for support and protection—or, if I got really lucky, even avoid this marriage altogether. “Lord Nate’s reputation is loud and clear; only the deaf haven’t heard of him. But... it’s that very reputation that frightens me most. You know what they call him in these parts...”
“The rabid dog. Yes, I’ve heard it often, unfortunately. But many confuse valor and fearlessness with madness. I trust you’re not foolish enough to believe all those tall tales. That should make it easier for you to adjust to your new status. I have faith you’ll manage. Women are peculiar creatures, my dear niece,” His Majesty offered me his arm, and I didn’t dare refuse. “They adapt to anything with ease. Before you know it, they’re steering you in the direction they want. A man like Lord Nate needs exactly that kind of woman. Otherwise, he’ll become uncontrollable and dangerous.”
“To women?” I asked cautiously, glancing toward the banquet hall.
“To the crown, my dear,” my uncle clarified with a patronizing tone. “But worse still, they’re dangerous to themselves.”
So that’s how it was... Good thing I hadn’t written to my dear uncle. He would’ve had a good laugh at my expense. I should’ve anticipated this possibility. Silly, naive Becca... Well, I’d be more foresightful and wiser from now on.
“I suppose I’ve been given the most important role in his life—to love, honor, and restrain my unpredictable husband?”
“Loving him isn’t necessary at all,” His Majesty confirmed my suspicions. “But in the rest, you’re absolutely right. It would also be helpful if the palace were informed of Lord Nate’s plans in advance. For his own good, of course.”
Spy on my own husband! Gods, what had I gotten myself into? Honestly, I couldn’t even come up with a response.
“In return, the crown promises to ensure the well-being of the Nyer family. And to arrange marriages for your younger sisters in the best possible way, befitting their status.”
So, they were offering me payment for spying, not just expecting it for free. Of course, Charlie and Anna’s futures concerned me. If the crowned uncle took charge of their marriage arrangements, their husbands wouldn’t be minor barons desperate to worm their way into the king’s inner circle. But why did the very thought of espionage leave such a bitter taste in my mouth?
“I’m prepared to do everything in my power for the good of our kingdom,” I replied evasively, lowering my gaze so the perceptive monarch wouldn’t see my true feelings.
“Your mother would be proud to have such a sensible daughter,” the king praised me as he led the way toward the banquet hall.
A dubious compliment. In my opinion, when giving marriage vows, a wife should do everything in her power to protect her husband and support his goals and ideals, not undermine him to please a monarch and gain royal favor. Mother certainly wouldn’t have been proud of such behavior from me. She paid with her life, following her husband into the swampy wilderness, even though every doctor warned her in unison that the local climate would be her ruin. But what was the point of dwelling on that now?
All voices fell silent as we entered the hall. The guests rose from their seats and bowed deeply in respect. And yet, it felt like more eyes were on me than on our monarch. I was right—they were all waiting for tears, searching for signs of a sleepless night spent in hysterics. Maybe I hadn’t slept the best in this castle last night, but no one would guess it, thanks to the secret knowledge and skills of my dear Ennet. If anyone wouldn’t allow people to mock or sneer at “her girl,” it was her.
So, to all the astonishment and disbelief that surrounded me so generously, I responded with only a restrained, indulgent smile. I couldn’t forget my status, even if everyone else seemed to have long since done so. Thanks to Charlie, I looked the part today—a lilac gown embroidered with silver, fit for a princess. And clearly pleased with her handiwork, my sister watched our approach with a happy smile.
Father, playing the role of the delighted relative, beamed as we drew level with the host’s chair.
“Your Majesty, I’m overjoyed to welcome you to my home,” Father lied, a fake smile plastered on his face. “It’s a great honor…”
“I don’t see Lord Amor,” the king interrupted, unconcerned that whispers immediately rippled through the hall.
There it was. Our family would once again be at the center of every rumor and gossip. Only the laziest wouldn’t drag our name through the mud or dredge up every sin of my father’s past. How disgusting... My fingers, still resting on the king’s arm, even trembled.
“He’ll be here any minute now…”
Father didn’t get to finish.
The doors swung open, letting a gust of cool air into the hall, and there on the threshold stood my future husband, Lord Nate Amor—the rabid dog of the north, the Black Wolf, hero of the century-long war and the siege of Krenhold...
And I caught myself holding my breath.
***
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