Chapter Ten #2
I stifle a smile. Some things never change.
“Welcome, everyone,” Lord Jared begins. “Thank you for joining us on a very special day…” He gestures to the storm outside, and it gets a laugh.
I’ve heard most of Loegria doesn’t share the Alarician sentiment about rain, how it brings good luck to people who rely on it.
“When we arrived in Evandale to find Prince Dietan a wife, I was skeptical at first. After all, Evandale is far from our court in Lundenwic. But I have come to see the beauty in this land.”
There is an appreciative murmur.
“We of Loegria are fortunate to share borders and trade with the kingdom of Alarice, and it is with great pleasure that the prince has gathered you all today to witness this most auspicious announcement.”
So, a bride has indeed been chosen.
I steel myself to hear the news while the crowd buzzes with anticipation.
Who will it be? Perhaps it’s Sonja, since Lord Jared has been so obviously enamored of Ophelia, and Dietan seems to value his friend enough to stand aside for Jared.
Yes, the prince has definitely picked Sonja, who is leaning forward, her lips parted.
Oh, Sonja. I’m happy for her. She’ll make a fine Loegrian princess. She is spry and sweet and will make Alarice proud. As promised, I’ll dance at her wedding with a happy heart—even as the same ungovernable heart begins to sink into my stomach.
I turn my attention back to Lord Jared, who is scanning the crowd. Where is the prince? Why isn’t he at the podium? Perhaps Lord Jared will announce the engagement and bring Dietan and Sonja up to the stage together?
Lord Jared suddenly looks apprehensive. He coughs. “Forgive me. I find I am a bit nervous.” He looks at his hands, then back up at the crowd, as if he is summoning the right words. “Ophelia Bellamore.” Jared extends his hand toward her. “Will you come join me, please?”
A gasp works its way through the room. Oh, it’s Ophelia after all. The prince is going to marry Ophelia. Everyone is staring at her, even Sonja, who’s helping her unsteady sister to her feet.
But Ophelia soon recovers, especially once she meets Jared’s gaze. Her expression relaxes, and she gathers her skirts and approaches, walking as gracefully as if she were floating, her smile blindingly bright. The bells on her ankles ring loudly in a room that has fallen so quiet.
But where is Dietan?
Why isn’t he at the podium?
“Today’s announcement is not on behalf of Prince Dietan,” Jared announces as Ophelia reaches his side.
The room erupts in surprised murmurs, and I hold my breath.
Then, suddenly, Lord Jared lowers himself to one knee. He looks up at Ophelia, who is radiant.
“Unlike the prince, I did not set out to find a bride on this journey. I never thought that anyone could ever bring me such happiness, that there could be someone whose smile makes me believe that the poets and the minstrels are right after all. You, my darling Ophelia, have convinced me that true love does exist in this world. I feel it in every breath I’ve taken since I’ve met you. ”
No one speaks. Like me, everyone assembled assumed that this was a ceremony for Dietan. I knew, of course, that Ophelia fancied Jared, but this is unexpected.
“Ophelia, you have stolen my heart right out of my chest.” He lets out a breathless laugh, and I’m struck by wonder. That cocky lord is truly nervous. “The moment I saw you, I knew that you were the only one for me. Will you do me the greatest honor and consent to be my wife?”
Ophelia hardly says “yes” before the room explodes in applause. Jared stands and kisses Ophelia, and she holds his face, kissing him back. I clap as loudly as the rest, even though I don’t quite understand. The prince had the invitation sent on Jared’s behalf. Dietan hasn’t chosen a bride.
Relief washes over me, followed by irritation. Why would I be relieved the prince didn’t chose Ophelia? The prince could still choose Sonja. Plus, I’m still sorting out if I trust him.
I try to focus on Ophelia, who looks so happy tears well in my eyes.
She’s not going to be a princess, but she seems happy with the life of a noble lady.
Did she know Lord Jared was going to propose?
She must have. She’s so graceful, accepting the royal entourage’s congratulations, flawless and ready for a life at court.
Ophelia cranes her neck, searching the crowd at the back of the room, where I said I’d be.
Her eyes meet mine, and she makes her way toward me.
She’s as luminous as sunshine. “Oh, Aren! Isn’t it divine?
” she says, holding her arms out to be hugged and petted despite the mud and rainwater soaking through my clothes.
She’ll soon have a hundred dresses grander than anything I can make.
I take her in my arms and hold her tight, smearing mud on her skirts.
My sister still needs her family. She needs me.
She’s thrilled, but there’s terror behind her eyes at the thought of leaving behind everything she’s ever known, the kind of fear that only I can quell.
“I am so, so happy for you, my dearest,” I whisper fiercely. “You will make a wonderful lady.” Soon, Sonja is there, too, and the three of us are crying.
Lord Jared joins us, beaming with pride as he takes his beloved in his arms. I wipe away my tears and gather myself together. Even though I know I look like shit, I put on my best smile to meet one of the great lords of the Loegrian court.
“My lord, you’ve met Sonja, but may I introduce to you my older sister, Aren,” Ophelia says.
Lord Jared bows courteously, and I manage an awkward curtsy in reply. I never know exactly how low to bend my knees.
“Pleased to meet you, my lord,” I say. “To say I’m surprised would be an understatement. I didn’t expect this.”
“Neither did I,” he replies, his cheeks flushed. “But I know that this is fate.”
“You are a lucky man. Our father is not here, but he gives his blessing,” I tell him.
“I am very lucky indeed.” He clears his throat and shifts uncomfortably on his feet. “Ophelia tells me you and your father did not receive your invitations. The marquis assured me he’d make certain all relevant citizens of Evandale would be included, especially—”
I hold up my hand. It all makes sense now. The prince didn’t intentionally leave me off the list, the marquis did. The prick. I lift my chin and smile. “Please, think nothing of it. My father was unable to attend anyway, and I’m here now, my lord.”
Jared kisses the back of my hand. “As we will be family, call me Jared. Please apologize on my behalf to your father and tell him that I accept his blessing most gratefully. Ophelia made it very clear to me that she would not accept me unless I agreed Sonja could come with us. Please know I will take care of your sisters; both will want for nothing in Lundenwic.”
Ophelia squeezes my hand. “We’re both going to move to court, Aren!”
“Oh dear—what are we going to wear?” asks Sonja.
“Aren, you will have to make us a trousseau. We can’t show up at court looking like country bumpkins.” Ophelia laughs.
Jared smiles. “There is no need to put Aren through that effort. Fear not, you two will have the best of everything.” He turns back to Ophelia. “Come, love. There are people you need to meet.” Ophelia nods, gathering her skirts as she takes his arm.
“They’re lovely together,” Sonja says, putting an arm around my shoulders.
I nod in agreement.
“We’ll miss you,” Sonja says. “You must come and visit us as often as you can.”
Then she, too, is whisked away as the young general appears by her side. “Miss Bellamore,” Marcus says. “Would you care to partake of the refreshments?”
Sonja smiles and blushes. “I would love to.”
I give the general a benevolent smile as she takes his arm. It appears Sonja might not have to wait long for her own proposal. The handsome general can’t take his eyes off her.
Then I’m all alone again. My happiness is bittersweet.
Ophelia is to be married. Sonja will soon follow.
They will both move all the way to the court in Loegria.
They’ve found good men to take care of them, and I’ll finally be free.
I’ve done my duty to them, and the Raven’s Beak will be mine to do with as I wish. So why does my chest feel so hollow?
Because I’ll miss my girls, of course. They will be so far away. Warm tears well up in my eyes, and I wipe them away furiously with my thumb. I’m not going to cry again, not on such a happy occasion.
Jared makes his way back to my side of the room to fetch Ophelia a cup of rose wine and offers me the other cup.
I thank him politely but shake my head. I don’t feel like drinking. It’s too soon after the harvest festival.
“If I may ask, where is the prince?” I almost say fool of a prince, but I catch myself in time. There is no sign of Dietan, not even to congratulate his friend on his engagement. “Is he allergic to happiness, perhaps?”
Jared grimaces and takes a sip from the goblet that I refused. “Ah, Prince Dietan… He’s indisposed. He wouldn’t have missed this for the world, but between you and me, he hasn’t come out of his room all day. He’ll be fine, I’m sure. It can take a toll, this much travel and—”
“And disappearing in the middle of the night?”
“You noticed.” Jared sighs.
“I notice many things that happen around my tavern. Are you sure he’s all right?”
“Positive. He can’t get into too much trouble around here, can he?” Jared remarks with a grin.
I shake my head, unconvinced. These fancy aristos really don’t have any idea how to survive outside their palaces. After all, Dietan wandered off into the woods in the rain when I expressly told him not to. I’m sure Jared’s hiding that Dietan’s gotten himself embarrassingly lost.
What an idiot.