Chapter 6
SIX
I knock on the study door, surprisingly nervous about coming here. I've never been inside before, and now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever been alone with Lord Fallmartin either. Which is a surprise considering I've lived here for nearly two months already.
"Come in," he calls.
I push open the door and step inside.
"Ah, Beatrice, please take a seat." He gestures to the chair on the opposite side of his desk.
I take a deep breath and sit down, moving my skirt so it doesn't get trapped beneath me. I slip my hand into my pocket and fiddle with the key Linc gave me. It's surprisingly soothing to keep it in my pocket.
"Bastian's wedding will happen the week after next," he says.
"I see." I don't. There's no reason for him to call me into his study to tell me that.
"Once his wedding is past, we'll need to start properly preparing you for yours."
"Preparing me?" I echo, a hint of dread within me.
He nods. "You're not just marrying anyone, you'll be marrying into the royal family. There are things we need to make sure we're prepared for."
"I don't understand. I didn't ask for any of this."
He lets out a resigned sigh. "Perhaps there's been a misunderstanding between us regarding your betrothal."
I raise an eyebrow. "How can there be a misunderstanding about selling me to the highest bidder?"
It almost seems like there's a hint of pride under his surprise. But I'm probably just imagining it. "I understand that you're new to the way court works, but you're expected to marry now you're part of House Rothorne. Your position, and mine, depends on it."
"I understand my position," I say. "I suppose I just thought that it would be longer before I was expected to be married.
Etiquette lessons have barely scratched the surface of what I need to know, and I can only recognise about half of the crests.
And I know barely anything about the history of vampires.
Only up to the rise of House Sanulieon."
"Impressive," he says.
I stare at him, not having expected the response. "It is?"
"I hadn't realised you were a scholar of history, Beatrice."
"I'm not," I respond. "Or I suppose I didn't think I was. I just wanted to learn so I could understand court and the way things worked."
"If you're concerned about your etiquette lessons and learning more about the history of vampires, I can speak with the royal family and ensure that they write it into the final marriage contract that you can continue as much as you'd like."
I blink a few times. "You'd do that?"
"You're my daughter, Beatrice. Perhaps that doesn't mean the same to vampires as it does to humans, but it still remains true.
You're a representative of this House even if you're married into another, and if your husband were to die, you'd return here.
Your desire to understand all of the things you've said is encouraging to me.
And I will in turn encourage you to pursue such pastimes. "
"Oh." I look down at my knees, not really sure what to make of that.
"I know the wedding is coming around fast, but in truth, I thought you'd be pleased."
"Pleased?" I echo.
"I recommend not misunderstanding me. If this marriage hadn't benefited me, then I wouldn't have considered it, but I did take your inclinations into account," he continues.
"My inclinations?" I feel like I'm missing something.
"Well, yes," Lord Fallmartin says. "You seem to get on well with Prince Lincoln."
My whole world starts spinning. "Prince Lincoln," I repeat.
Linc.
Lord Fallmartin nods, completely unaware of the way my world is crashing in on itself. I can't even work out whether to be relieved, happy, or frustrated.
"I've seen the two of you dancing together," Lord Fallmartin says. "You seem to get on well. Which is more than can be said for a lot of arranged marriages, but I do believe it will be an asset for you."
"Mmm." I can't really keep my thoughts focused, even if I'm trying to pay attention.
"I should actually thank you, the King would never have agreed to the betrothal without the influence you've had over the Prince."
"I-I'm not sure what you mean." Except that I do. Linc has told me himself that he hasn't been going to events, and yet he's been to most of them since my arrival.
"Now, come, Beatrice. You're smarter than that."
I nod. There's no use denying it, and there is a part of me that wants Lord Fallmartin to think of me as clever.
"I would have preferred Prince Marcus for you..."
"He's my cousin."
"First cousin once removed," Lord Fallmartin says.
"The Queen is my aunt. And that wouldn't be considered an issue, though the Queen would be difficult to convince.
But it is irrelevant. While Crown Princess would have been an excellent title for you, I thought the preexisting relationship between you and the younger prince would make it much easier to get the King to agree. "
"I see."
"And luckily for us, His Majesty readily did. He's pleased with the changes he's seen in Prince Lincoln since your arrival and is hoping that you'll make sure they continue. Which is what we need for House Rothorne. So whatever it is you're doing, keep doing it," he instructs.
"You want me to just...keep seeing Linc?" I shake my head. "Prince Lincoln," I correct myself, trying not to panic over all the times I've addressed him incorrectly. Though perhaps if it bothered him, he'd have already set me right about it.
"I don't know what you've been doing, Beatrice. Just do more of it."
"All right. Erm, may I be excused?" Because as much as there's a part of me that rebels against the idea of doing what I've just been told to, I really need to go and see Linc.
There's still a chance that none of what Lord Fallmartin is saying is true, but I don't think so. I can feel the truth deep within myself. All of the little things he's said suddenly make sense.
"You can go," Lord Fallmartin says. "Perhaps we can look through the list of your potential ladies-in-waiting tomorrow."
"I thought we were going to do that after Bastian's wedding?"
"I think we can move forward at a swifter pace," he responds, giving me a curious look that almost makes me think he's trying to figure me out, but I have more important things on my mind than what Lord Fallmartin wants from me.
And right now, that means going to find some answers.