“I see. So that’s the plan...” Amelia murmured.

“Exactly. The king of Martok will refuse me as a bride, and it will remove the possibility of war. Two birds with one stone.”

“Oh, Your Highness.” With tears in the corners of her eyes, Amelia looked at me, “When news came to the duke's manor that you were to marry I was terrified.”

I sat across the table from her after fixing my outfit in my new mirror. It was a large vanity with a full-body mirror stretched from its surface to its side. It was a gift I received as my wedding drew closer.

‘Though I suppose the people who have sent all these gifts will be sorely surprised once my union fails.’ 

Within a day the gifts started pouring in. Even before I summoned Amelia this morning to discuss things the maids had been bringing gifts to the door. I very quickly had a small mountain of them.

A small bouquet sat on top of the pile. It had beautiful calligraphy on the indicator. And listed on it was the exact person who took Amelia in. His Grace, Duke Baltess.

“Amelia.”

“Yes?”

“Who was the person that took you in exactly? How did it happen for you to end up at his manor?”

Amelia seemed confused and sat her teacup down.

“The Duke Baltess? His Grace, Warren, suggested I wait in his home for you.”

My drink spilled from my open mouth.

“Warren is the duke!?” No. Oh no. The pride of a duke…I was screwed. Forget starting over, would he even forgive me in this lifetime?

“Your Highness?”

“Amelia! I am done for!” I sat my head on the table with a loud thud.

“Your Highness! Your poor skull…” She said, moving to my side.

“Ugh. My poor romantic life, Amelia!”

“What’s going on? Isn’t this a good thing?”

“What's going on is I kept my status secret and so did Warren! He thought I was an orphan commoner and I figured he was maybe an earl or baron. If I had known he was a duke I would have told him! A duke and a princess. Things would have gone swimmingly, Amelia…” 

“Your Highness, I’m sure everything will be alright.”

“Ugh.” I felt like my head was about to burst with all the thoughts running through it. I looked up to Amelia from where my head lay. “Did he say anything about me?”

“Um…” Amelia avoided my gaze.

“Amelia?” I must have had the look of a crazed woman in my eyes because she began trying to ease the situation. 

“His Grace didn’t have much to say…He mostly stayed in his office the entire time I was there.”

“He didn’t seek you out at any point?”

“No,” Amelia said. “He hadn’t asked for me or said anything until His Highness came to get me.”

“And what did he say then?” I was already sighing.

“Um…” Amelia wouldn’t match my eyes once more. “He told me to make sure you were well and that he wished the best for you.” I made a pained noise. “But! He did seem sad!”

“Upset?”

“No, sad, Your Highness. I think the news of your arranged marriage has made him quite depressed.”

I groaned and sat up.

“And how do you figure that?”

“The butler told me so. He said that he hadn’t seen His Grace hole up in his office like that in years. He had to have been devastated that you were going to be taken from him.”

“Phrasing, Amelia. I didn’t belong to him, or anything of the like.”

“Your heart did, and surely his was yours as well.”

“Amelia.” If I didn’t understand in some way the hurt he must be feeling, maybe these words would comfort me but…I can’t stomach the idea of having hope right now. I would rather be ready for the worst at this moment.

“Your Highness. No matter what I believe you both are adults who, despite your wounds, can communicate. I’m sure you can at least be companions again even if the hurt takes time to heal-no, even if it can’t be absolved. I’m sure you both will be on good terms after talking it out.” She held onto me and spoke this with such a firm conviction that it made me feel awful to doubt her words like I was.

“Even if we never speak to each other again?” I mumbled.

“Well, that’s simply impossible because of your station, but even if that were the case I’m sure Your Highness could find another.”

“Another man?” I asked, bewildered.

“If things are unsalvageable between His Grace and you, then simply find closure and live your life. I do not wish to see you held back by any man, Your Highness.” She folded her arms and gave a small huff. “And, if Your Highness wanted a new man it is simple. Your beauty, station, and mind would lure men from all over the continent.”

Okay. That did make me feel a little better. Things do not end with Warren even if things go awry after all. 

I sighed. Despite it all, I wanted things to work out between us.

“Alright. I’m hoping for a chance to speak with him soon at least.”

“I, too, Your Highness.”

I felt like I could breathe. Looking up I gave Amelia a lop-sided smile. She knew best.

Knock. Knock.

“Your Highness, it is time to get ready to meet the king.” Amelia and I looked at each other.

It’s showtime.