Chapter 2
Slowly, I turn to face my father, meeting his gaze with a cold, steady look.
“What is she doing here?”
My gaze shifts to her brother.
“No offense, Henry, your presence doesn’t bother me. I just don’t understand what your sister is doing here.” My voice is colder than a Siberian winter, but I have to give Amelia some credit; she doesn’t even flinch at my harsh words.
“Nicolas! Shut your mouth and stop insulting my guests,” my father growls, annoyed, and I shrug.
“Sorry, but didn’t you teach us to be honest?” The look he gives me makes me actually hold my tongue, just this once.
I mime zipping my lips and sit down. My gaze falls briefly on Amelia, and I pause for a moment. I wasn’t prepared for those eyes staring back at me, filled with disdain.
Have they always been this blue?
Amelia is beautiful, no question, but I haven’t bothered to look at her in ages.
So why does she look at me now as though she’d like to kill me? She, of all people, has no reason for that. Not her!
Well, this could get interesting, that’s for sure.
“Amelia, please forgive my son; he hasn’t been himself lately,” my father apologizes to Goldilocks, but she just waves it off and nods.
“It’s nothing; I expected nothing different,” she replies coolly, and once again, her sharp gaze hits me like a blade. Practically pierces me.
Wow, hang on. SHE expected nothing different? Is she serious? She doesn’t even know me.
But then, you don’t know her either, my inner voice reminds me, though I immediately silence it.
Before I can react, which admittedly wouldn’t have been wise or mature, Father steps in.
“There’s a reason why Amelia’s presence is necessary, as well as yours. We need to talk about the arrangement that has existed between our families for many years.” Father looks at me intently, and now Goldilocks turns pale.
Wait, what?
Only slowly do I grasp what he means by that.
“What is there to talk about? She was promised to Philipp. He’s dead now.
No crown for you, Lady Perlington,” I say directly to her, looking at her challengingly.
Once again, she surprises me, because she doesn’t look away from my penetrating gaze; in fact, she returns it, and for a moment, I feel a strange tightening within me.
Because in her eyes, for just an instant, I see the same pain, grief, and despair that I carry in mine.
Only now do I notice the cut below her hairline, and I squint my eyes, taking a closer look at her for the first time.
She’s pale, with deep circles under her eyes, and sits stiffly, hardly moving. And when she does, her face barely flinches.
She’s hurt. Why on earth is her brother letting THIS happen?
Confused by the brief flare of anger rising in me, I break eye contact, only to look into the not-amused face of my beloved father.
“I think you’re mistaken, my son. Amelia will indeed get a crown. At your side.”
BOOM. The bomb drops.
Is he serious? He can’t be serious.
My ears start ringing, and I clench my fist over and over, just to avoid jumping up and punching my father.
He’s insane. Simply insane. Yet I just sit there and stare at him, unable to say anything or react.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Amelia cast a sharp, almost hateful glance at her brother, only to then direct an even paler but emotionless expression at her king.
“What… I don’t quite understand? My marriage to Phil was arranged after my birth. I was supposed to marry him, not Nicolas.”
Like a tennis match, I look back and forth between her and my father, because I can’t say anything.
Nothing. Otherwise, this dark, boiling rage would spill out all over this room like lava from a volcano.
But I’ve sworn not to lose it in front of my father anymore, and right now, it’s taking all my willpower to hold back.
I press my jaws together tightly, clench one hand into a fist, and remain silent.
“Wrong, my dear. You were to marry the heir to the throne. No specific name was mentioned. And now that Nicolas is the heir…” he gives me a disapproving look, which I ignore “…and no one knew of the upcoming engagement with Philipp, you two will be married in six weeks.”
Amelia blinks like an owl, her small fingers clutching her black pants so tightly that her knuckles turn white. Henry flashes her a sharp look, and she humbly lowers her head, but I can see how she presses her lips together. How much she has to restrain herself from saying anything.
For once, I can understand her, because my father must be insane if he thinks I’ll go along with this farce.
“What happens if we refuse?” I’m proud of how calm, how controlled my voice sounds when I throw the question into the room… Henry and my father immediately fix their gazes on me.
“You have no veto right. The contract was established long before you were born and is based on our laws.” The words snap out of his mouth like a whip, and now Amelia flinches.
Immediately, my father’s gaze softens, and he looks at her with almost fatherly affection.
“Everything will be fine, dear. Trust me. Nicolas is very much like his brother. Just wait.”
A scoff escapes her lips, and my father suppresses a smile before his gaze turns back to me. Not with the warmth he just showed, but cold and merciless.
A sharp sting reminds me that I am the black sheep, the outsider, and my anger towards Goldilocks rises irrationally.
She’s not to blame. She’s not to blame, my conscience repeats over and over, but I can’t change it. I want to punish her. For getting that look, for having time with Phil. For being who she is. As unfair as it may be, I can’t shake these feelings, this disgust.
But I’ll comply. I’ll do what my father says. Just in my own way. Ultimately, I have no choice. I’m stuck in this deal, whether I like it or not. But I won’t admit that here and now.
“Amelia will adapt to you and be a good wife. She will represent you and your people impeccably. She will not cause you any trouble. Isn’t that right, Amelia?
” Henry looks at me triumphantly, and my father raises an eyebrow at his words.
Apparently, he’s also noticed that Henry speaks of his sister as if she were a broodmare.
Amelia stays suspiciously quiet, and I narrow my eyes, keeping her in sight. For once, my father remains silent. A miracle.
“Is that so? Are you going to be a good little wifey?” Damn, I should keep my mouth shut, but I want to provoke her, to get a reaction out of her.
Marry. Her! Damn it all.
“Of course.” Her gaze meets mine, and I’d be damned if it didn’t reflect the opposite. Her blue eyes practically blaze, promising me hell on earth.
A devilish grin spreads across my face.
“Well, then, Amelia Perlington. Looks like we’ll be getting married in six weeks. I’m looking forward to it.”
Her eyes widen briefly as she catches the underlying promise in my tone. But she quickly regains her composure.
“Wonderful. Since we’ve surprisingly managed to settle that so quickly, let’s move on to the next point.
Next week, you’ll have your first public appearance as a couple at the charity gala.
By then, we’ll have launched a romantic story about your engagement and relationship.
All I ask is that you appear somewhat in love and act as a couple.
Oh, and, Amelia, darling…” My father turns back to Goldilocks, who has gone paler and quieter, narrowing her eyes briefly as he looks at her sternly.
She doesn’t want to hear what’s coming, and I probably don’t either.
“You’ll be living in the castle with Nicolas after the public announcement. Until then, have your fun but keep it under wraps. do what you need to do—but do it discreetly. Now, Henry, take your sister home. She needs to rest.”
And with that, we’re officially dismissed.
Henry stands up, and so does my future wife, though she sways slightly. Her brother notices and quickly grabs her arm, which somehow bothers me—for some reason.
“Nicolas. See you around. Hit me up for a drink if you like,” Henry says, guiding Goldilocks out without so much as glancing at me. I watch them leave, frowning.
“Don’t screw it up, my son. Amelia is different than you think. And if you won’t do it for me, at least do it for Philipp. He loved her.”
For the first time since his death, my father lets his mask slip, letting me see the grief and pain in his face. And for the first time, he doesn’t look at me with that cold, expressionless gaze, but almost with concern.
A strange pull tightens in my chest as I look at him. To avoid sparking any more conflict, I give him a quick nod and swiftly leave the room. I need to do my homework before marrying little Miss Perlington. I want to know who I’m dealing with.
“You have to WHAT?” Damien stares at me with wide eyes, while Cedric just watches me silently.
Annoyed, I shove my arm into my black-and-white leather motorcycle jacket and zip it up. Tonight, I need to clear my head, or I’ll lose it.
Marry. I’m supposed to marry the woman my brother wanted. The woman who apparently actually has feelings for him. And who stirs up a very irrational anger in me.
Just thinking about it makes me sick, and that painful tug hits my chest again. How could my father possibly think this is a good idea?
The bass reverberates through the old factory grounds as a crowd begins to throw a massive party.
It’s time for the weekly race. Bikers from all over the area gather each week at a different spot, chasing the ultimate adrenaline rush.
I’m one of them, along with Cedric. Damien doesn’t care for these races, and is a bit too aristocratic for it anyway.
His father is one of my father’s ministers, part of Harlington’s nobility, and Damien can’t completely hide that. He loves his life and stands by it.
“I’m supposed to marry that uptight throne-seeker. A woman who doesn’t want me, and whom I don’t want.”
Damien gives me a tortured look, grimacing.
“Phil loved her,” he says quietly, quickly looking at the ground so I won’t see the pain in his eyes. Suddenly, my irrational anger at this woman mixes with grief, forming a heavy, miserable knot in my stomach.
“She could have said no. She could have just said no, damn it. Instead, she’s going along with this farce.
Why? Does she want the crown that badly?
” The resentment builds, and though I know I’m talking nonsense, I can’t stop.
It hurts. Everything hurts. And I hate it.
I hate her for reminding me of Phil and my own failure.
Cedric looks at Damien first, then turns to me, his expression serious.
“As if Amelia ever had a choice, Nic. She’s as powerless as you are, my friend,” he remarks in a cautionary tone, and damn it, I know he’s right. But I still can’t get a handle on my overwhelming emotions.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m going to clear my head and hook up with Sarah.” My plan doesn’t sound very solid, but it’s the only distraction I have right now.
“Maybe it’s not so bad. I like her. She’s cool.” Cedric speaks quietly, cautiously, but his words hit me like a sledgehammer.
What the hell?
My head snaps in his direction, and I squint at him.
“Are you drunk? Or high? We’re talking about Amelia Perlington, you do know that, right?” I look at him in disbelief. Ced and I have always been on the same page about women, until now. And I had no idea he even knew Goldilocks.
“She was at my university until last year and was in two of my classes. She’s actually really cool. Totally different from your noble crowd,” he explains with a shrug.
Cedric doesn’t come from the upper class; his dad is our head of security, so he likes to call us the “noble crowd.” But his words genuinely shock me. I’m honestly surprised my jaw doesn’t drop.
Damien’s lips twitch slightly at my expression, but he’s smart enough to keep quiet.
“Amelia and cool?! I… don’t know what to say, except that I’m definitely not hooking up with my brother’s castoff. I… hell, I’m done talking about her. Bad enough that I’ll have to put up with her every day starting next week.”
End of discussion. I’m tired of thinking about this mess. I want to race. I need the distraction.
Cedric presses his lips together and closes his jacket, reaching for his helmet. He’s already on his green machine, as he’s up first.
“See you on the track, you jerk. And this time, I’m winning.” He winks at me, puts on his black-and-green helmet, and lowers his visor.
“Keep dreaming.” I flip him off, and he laughs softly as he revs his engine.
Time for some fun.
“Good luck, honey,” a voice purrs in my ear as two hands slide around my waist from behind. Damien rolls his eyes and heads off, as he can’t stand Sarah. If I’m honest, I can’t either, but she’s good in bed, and it’s always been uncomplicated. Apparently, that’s changing.
Fuck.
More complications I don’t need right now.
Taking a deep breath, I pinch the bridge of my nose and turn to face her.
“What’s this about?” I snap, grabbing her hands and pushing them off me. Sarah’s eyes flash with anger before she puts on a wide-eyed look, batting her lashes.
“Oh, don’t be like that. We have so much fun together, and I thought you wouldn’t mind making it a bit more exclusive.”
What the fuck?
I raise an eyebrow and give her a pitying look. Is she really this naive? No. She’s calculating, and I’m guessing the rumors have already started. Nobles are the worst gossips, and dear Sarah sees her opportunity slipping away, one that never existed.
All right, this is going to be unpleasant.
“What makes you think I want more than just hooking up? I don’t. So cut the games, Sarah.” I stare at her, unmoved. Hatred briefly flickers in her eyes before she tries the tearful look.
For God’s sake, what did I do to deserve this today?
“You’re such an asshole, Nic. I thought there was something between us.”
“Yeah. Sexual frustration and boredom. Nothing more. I don’t love you, and I don’t feel anything worth mentioning for you. You know that. So, either take it or leave it. Now, get out of my way. I have a race to run.”
Annoyed, I run my hand through my hair and push her aside. You can almost see the gears turning in her head as she tries to figure out her next move, but I don’t care.
I pull on my helmet and climb onto my bike. Feeling a bit generous, I turn back to her once more.
“If you’re back to normal when I return, I’ll fuck you. Otherwise…” I shrug and start up the Yamaha.
To hell with women, and my father.