4. Chapter 4

JULIETTE

I rest my hands delicately in my lap the next morning, sitting in the lone seat of a carriage borrowed from the tavern. Stuffed in another gown—this one a soft cream—I couldn't be more uncomfortable with the life I'm traveling back to. The moment everyone learned of my princess status, the town offered anything and everything to Ophelia and her brothers to ensure my safe return to the castle. Whispers spread like wildfire about the screams coming from my room but I don't care.

Waking up pressed against Ophelia and seeing the love bite on her neck that I gave her last night means everything to me. Just as her handprints are dug into my waist and my lips are bruised from her attentions. No one has ever given me the rough handling that I've needed, that I've craved. No one has played into my games, chased me down the hall, and pinned me to the stone.

All in one day, I've fallen in love with someone that I can't have and shouldn't want.

My father would be furious if he found out. He'd marry me off right away, not even waiting for the gala. So, I just won't tell him. I also won't be telling him that I intend to carry on with Ophelia regardless of the rules. Last night proved that it was more than just lust between us. There's a longing I can't quite describe. It might be childish of me but Ophelia will be mine. I will make sure of it.

The ride is long and uneventful as I rest my head against the edge of the carriage and watch Ophelia's side as her Fresian trots beside me. Artemis is on the other side, Blaise in front but my eyes are glued to my woman. Her hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail, the long strands swaying in the wind as her entire body moves with the gait of her horse.

I could watch her all day, especially the way her torso molds and constricts beneath the armor. A happy sigh leaves me as I fantasize about a world where I could claim Ophelia publicly, without any obstacles. That world exists, here in Kusovania. Queen Daniela's wife, Seraphina, was her seamstress and her lover before the king allowed and recognized that union. Now Seraphina is Kusovania's Majesty and rules beside Daniela. They are a match made in heaven and the envy of so many.

Including me.

Unfortunately, I am the princess of Smunia and as such must follow my own kingdom's rules—which insist on the current ruler choosing the next and their mate.

Thoughts of leaving the kingdom behind have swept through my mind several times but the royal life is the only one I know. Even escaping out here, I've had my fair share of troubles trying to navigate everyday things that are usually taken care of for me. Residing as a noble, though, would allow me to claim Ophelia.

Someone knocks on the side of the carriage, pulling me from my thoughts, and I lean forward to find Artemis standing just outside the door. I blink a few times and look through the other side, disappointed to find that Ophelia is a few paces off, already handing their horses off to one of the stable boys. The few kisses she peppered along my face before retreating to her guard personality this morning weren't enough.

Artemis taps the door and I return my attention to him, kind blue eyes paired with a soft smile looking back at me. "Princess, we're here." He opens the small door and offers his hand.

I take it and roughly jump down, Artemis chuckling at my lack of elegant movements. "I can see why she's smitten with you, princess." I don't know how to respond to his comment so I just don't. Ophelia only truly let her guard down when we were alone so I have no idea how her brothers will react to my desire for their sister. Especially when their task was to bring me back to get married to someone else.

"Thank you for the ride, Artemis." I offer him a small bow and then reach into the carriage for my bag before stomping toward the entrance. My royal temper tantrums never get me anywhere but they make me feel better. Each stomp allows me to channel my anger before I blow up at someone who doesn't deserve it.

Artemis follows behind, Blaise taking up my side. He's more stoic than Artemis is but he still grants me a tight smile as if he knows how hard these next moments will be. We pass the path to the stables, Ophelia's auburn hair disappearing around the corner. Tears gather in my eyes that she won't even be here to hand me back to my father.

Blaise leans closer, careful not to touch me in public. "As much as she wanted to be here with you until the end, your father would immediately assume something. The stars in both your eyes are not so easily hidden."

I open my mouth to say something but he shakes his head.

"Princess, I know you want to live in a world where it caters to your will. One day, it will. Today, it could. But you must stand steadfast behind your decisions and be ready for the consequences. All of them." He straightens up, effectively ending the conversation.

The brothers guide me inside, clanking metal following their steps as I fold my hands in front of me as I am supposed to. My head bowed and my back straight, I fall into my practiced royal personality that has been forced down my throat for the last 25 years. I hate the rigidness that comes with ruling Smunia and it shall be the first thing I change when I become queen.

Our walk through the halls fills me with shame and regret as we near the room that Kusovania lent us for the yearly gala. One weekend a year, countries from all over attend to find their mates, royals and nobles alike. The entirety of Kusovania is invited although some remain in their towns and hold their own celebrations all weekend.

This is my first gala since my mother passed away and without her, my father wants me married off immediately. My coronation is set for next year but Smunia will not allow a queen to rule alone. Blaise clears his throat as we slow to a stop and I angle my head up slightly to see what has blocked our way.

A cheeky smile spreads across my face at the two entangled against a wall, Duchess Evie and her husband, King Theodore. I met them just before I took off a few days ago and the stories surrounding their marriage are both fun and exhilarating. Especially since I learned that the duchess is married to a king and a queen. She pioneered a new relationship with the royal hierarchy and I love that for her.

I wish I could do the same.

Duchess Evie chuckles, stepping back from her lover and apologizing before dragging her husband down the hall, no doubt to continue their shenanigans. When another giggle sounds from the room they dip into, I can only imagine that Queen Valentina has received them both. My heart burns with jealousy but I do well to hide my emotions as we make our way to the end of the hall and take a sharp left, right into the waiting presence of my father.

"You both can leave. I need to speak with my daughter."

A command with no room to disobey. Blaise and Artemis bow and then disappear the way they came, clanking metal sounding the end of my freedom. I keep my head bowed and hands clasped, waiting for my father's discipline.

"Look at me, Juliette. Juliette!"

A whimper tears from my throat as I obey, my body starting to tremble beneath the anger pouring from my father. His brows are furrowed with rage, his royal robes somehow fiercer than they usually are. He's drowning in rubies and emeralds, showing off the riches that Smunia possesses. He always has to be the richest man in the room until it comes to who I marry and then he can step down to find someone richer.

My father steps closer, breathing into my face. "You disrespected our kingdom, Juliette. I did not raise the next generation to act like a child, nor did I think that you would try to exercise what little power you had to undermine mine. You have greatly disappointed me, Juliette. Your mother would be appalled at your behavior."

My bottom lip trembles as I stare into his brown eyes, laden with a fire I haven't seen in years. He's always hard on me but it's never been this bad. "Mother would-"

"No, you've lost your chance at discourse. You will spend your day with the suitors I have picked out for you. There will be no complaints. You will choose one of them and then they will be presented as your mate at the gala tomorrow. I will not hear any argument from you and if any of them report back to me that you were anything other than the regal woman I have trained, there will be consequences." His hot breath fans my cheek and I do well not to cower in his presence. As soon as he sees that I will not fight, he points to the room I am staying in. "Stay until I retrieve you."

I step inside, the door slamming shut behind me and the twist of a key telling me that I have been locked inside. "I'm not a dog," I mumble to myself as I let the tears fall. How has it come to this? Being forced into a marriage? My mother would have never allowed this.

It's painfully clear that she was shielding me from so many things before her death. I hate the world that no longer has her in it. I'll hate this world even more if I can't have Ophelia.

I fling myself onto the bed, disregarding the faint knock on the door from the maids, and fall into a fitful sleep to pass the time.