7. Chapter 7

OPHELIA

I stand along the wall between my brothers, facing King William as he berates us for our retrieval of his daughter. Despite bringing her back in one piece, he has things to say about how long it took, the state of the carriage, Juliette's choice of dress—as if that were our fault—and her outspoken nature.

My brow furrows and I shift forward, Blaise pinching my back to keep me from stepping out of line. Juliette's outspoken nature is the best thing about her. Her desire to step outside the mold adds to her personality and I hate that her father wants to mute that part of her.

The king paces in front of us, his guards standing behind him. Had he had his way, they would have dragged Juliette back in an instant, kicking and screaming if that's what it took. Queen Daniela is only allowing this barrage of anger to appease a man currently in her court. She's mentioned that whatever threats he throws at us will not be upheld as we are Kusovania's soldiers and not Smunia's. Unless it directly conflicts with one of their laws.

"And one more thing!" He bellows, stopping right in front of me. His face contorts with so much rage, his skin turning beet red until I'm sure that the blood vessels in his forehead will pop. "I've had reports that someone has been touching my daughter. Someone who has no business touching royalty. She came back with her lips bruised. Did you think I would not notice? Her folly is her own but it reflects on my kingdom and yours as you were to bring her back safely and unharmed." His jaw pulls tight and I hold my ground, refusing to cower in front of this man. Granted, my head is slightly bowed but I want to face him head on and look him straight in the eye. That will only get me killed, though, and I won't leave Juliette alone with Queen Helvania.

"Yes sir," we say simultaneously.

"If I find out who it is, I'll have them disgraced in front of the entire kingdom. She is not to be touched other than by the suitor I choose. Understood?" He waits for all of us to nod before exiting the room, his guards marching after him. Only when the footsteps fade down the hall do I step forward, grabbing one of the little end tables and chucking it across the room.

Neither of my brothers reaches for me as I growl out my frustration, holding back my true emotions for his daughter. "He treats her like a fucking asset."

Artemis lets out a heavy sigh and leans against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. "As do many kings. It's not uncommon and she won't be the last princess that suffers. No, you misunderstand, Pheli. We can't save them all and as much as I want to save Juliette, I'm not sure we can. Our queen said to tread lightly with him. We were to follow commands, stay out of his way, and ensure that his daughter remained safe. That's it. And now? Technically, we have no stance in whatever he does so long as he follows Kusovanian laws."

I know that much but it doesn't mean that I have to like it. Worse, Queen Daniela has never been known to step in when it comes to how another kingdom treats their royalty unless it is so egregious that it borders on insanity.

Blaise clicks his tongue and I halt, fingers inches from grabbing a second little table. "Pheli, tell me why you're angry. Yes, I know you're in love with the princess. We all have eyes and I watched you physically stumble when we stepped into that cabin yesterday morning. Explain to me what's going on in that head of yours."

"I don't… love her," I huff out. I'm not in love. I can't be but the need to protect her is growing. Thinking of her trapped back in Smunia pains me. "I just don't want her to suffer. You didn't see how scared she was in that room. Blaise, she broke down. Broke down." I turn to face my brother, curling my fists at my sides as I take several breaths to calm myself. It's not really helping.

Artemis cuts in. "Pheli, what are you thinking of doing? You know we stand together but I don't want you getting hurt."

"Nothing. I won't do anything. Yet. But if I see Queen Helvania force Juliette into something, I won't just stand by." Speaking to my queen and her majesty sits in the back of my mind but that would mean revealing my relationship with a princess that has been promised to someone else. Would they offer me up to King William's punishment or would they protect me? I decide not to take the chance and keep my desires to myself.

I don't intend to act on them anyway.

I move toward the door, hoping to find time to myself, neither of my brothers stopping my escape. One stretch down the hall and I find myself bowing my head again as Her Majesty, Seraphina approaches me. A smirk sits on her face as she cradles her son against her chest. They found a donor last year, a joyous moment for the entire kingdom, and now with the royal heir, new life that has been breathed into Kusovania.

"Ophelia."

"Your Majesty," I respond.

"Do you have a moment?" She gestures for me to follow her and we don't stop until we reach the same lounge that Juliette had been entertaining her suitors in a little earlier. The room is eerily empty and I wonder where she has run off to and if she's okay. My mind wanders through a fantasy of finding my little piece of sunshine as she jumps into my arms, clinging to me for comfort only I can offer.

A fantasy that can't happen.

"Ophelia, there have been some… rumors that came back with you." Seraphina sways as she rocks her son back and forth before meeting my eyes. The door closes behind me, the sound echoing through the lounge. "Look at me, Ophelia. We used to stand on equal ground. I might be Kusovania's ruler now but I am no better than you."

I do as she asks, finding a mixture of understanding and pain lingering in her expression.

"I would like you to hear me out, completely before you say something. Daniela and I spoke the moment the rumors reached us because they are slowly spreading across the castle. King William will find out who entertained his daughter's advances. While it is not wise to have entered into that entanglement, she is not married or betrothed. And as much as I favor nontraditional love, Smunia's rules are different than Kusovania's."

I steel myself for the worst because I already knew as much. So long as the royalty that attends the gala follows Kusovania's rules, they are simultaneously allowed to follow their home country's rules as well. Smunia has a soft appearance but the king is ruthless in the way he leads. Many of the old traditions have stayed where Kusovania, Mubraulia, and others have done away with them.

Beheading is the first one that comes to mind.

Dungeons are a close second.

"Your-" I begin.

"Seraphina," she pleads. "I remember many a nights that you let me in the back entrance to see Daniela. Many of our rendezvous wouldn't have been possible without you. You might not think it was a grand gesture but it holds a special place in my heart. That so many people were open to our love regardless of hierarchy, riches, or anything else that many kingdoms look at."

"What are you saying? Did you bring me in here to warn me? Or is something more dire?" I shift uncomfortably in her presence. We might have stood on equal ground at one point but that is no longer the case. With a mere nod of her head, she could dismiss me from my post and have me exiled to the outskirts of Kusovania, never to return to the castle. "Seraphina-"

Her Majesty sighs and moves to one of the lounge seats before plopping into it. I didn't notice before but I see the light bags beneath her eyes and the weariness in her expression from taking care of a child while Queen Daniela runs the country. "I'm saying that we all have people we'll fight for. However, without a little push from the people around us, we'd never get there. Nothing is perfect. Ophelia, I can't stop the rumors. I can protect you, though."

She looks up at me and I swallow, realizing what she's asking of me. She wants me to choose which direction I head in. My brothers asked the same question but it's far different coming from Seraphina. Having Kusovanian royalty stand behind my decision is something else entirely. "She's not ready for the life that her father is forcing her into."

"And that's not what I'm asking you, Ophelia. You spent 24 hours with that woman and you came back with stars in your eyes and a pep in your step. You're an entirely different person than the one who left. So, I would be a fool to demand that you step out of Smunia's affairs and stop protecting someone precious to you." The royal heir coos in Seraphina's arms and she smiles down at her son, rocking him a little harder until he quiets. "Ophelia, I'm saying that this is your kingdom and that until someone has chosen their mate, they are allowed to be courted."

I bark out a laugh and then cut it short, a little embarrassed. "Seraphina, King William mentioned that anyone who touched his daughter would be disgraced in front of the entire kingdom. As much as I lov…uh, cherish Juliette, we're not there yet."

"And we both know that's not why you want to fight for her. You cherish someone's choice. It's why you let me into the castle all those late nights. You wanted Daniela to have the freedom to choose. You really don't remember those days, do you?"

So many things happened over the past five years that I can barely remember anything that didn't involve my brothers or Lola. "I'm not sure."

"All I'm saying is that you see a problem that needs fixing. It helps that you're in love with her. No, don't debate me on that. You might not believe it but love at first sight is a thing. If you choose to step between Juliette and her father, please know that his way of disciplining is different than Kusovania's. Daniela and I will try to protect you as best we can but there are some traditions we have yet to undo."

My shoulders fall and I sigh, nodding to show her I understand. She's given me permission to pursue my interests but weathering King William's demands will be impossible. Juliette is worth it, though. The fear in her eyes guts me to my core and I need her to know that there are people in her corner.

At least one.

I make my way to the door and then twist around to see Seraphina leaning back in the lounge, mumbling to her baby boy. "Why would you allow this? This could be seen as undermining King William's power. Kusovania is a peaceful country."

A wicked smile spreads across her lips. "It's not about the country. It's about the woman Juliette might end up with."

Right. Queen Helvania isn't Seraphina's favorite either.

"Protect her, Ophelia. You both deserve a little happiness."