9. Liliviere
Liliviere
My grandfather finally woke up from his nap when he was dragged into a helicopter and brought to the imperial castle. He looks at me as though I have announced my intention to marry a fire-breathing dragon. Which, in fairness, is a decent description of my husband-to-be.
“I just don’t understand,” he says for what feels like the millionth time, expressing the same disbelief and skepticism as everyone else. “Why can’t you marry the son?”
“Because I don’t want the son.” How do I explain that Malakai has been present in my life, one way or another, for years, whereas Kenton is relatively unknown to me?
“But he’s younger. Closer to your own age.”
“Yes, that is true.” Inwardly, I sigh with waning patience. There is a couture lace gown waiting for me to change into the instant my grandfather signs these stupid papers.
“And considerably less terrifying.”
“I like the terrifying one.” I fold my hands primly in my lap and blink innocently.
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Lili...”
Across the room, Julian makes a choking noise that suspiciously resembles laughter. He quickly turns it into a cough. Grandfather glares at him. Julian instantly becomes fascinated by the wallpaper.
“I am trying to be serious,” Grandfather says.
“So am I.”
“No, you most certainly are not.”
“I assure you, I have never been more serious in my life.”
He leans back in his chair with a long-suffering sigh.
“When your parents passed, they entrusted care of both you and the kingdom to me. I did not foresee having to convince my granddaughter not to marry the man the newspapers call Malakai the Monster.”
“He’s not a monster.”
Grandfather’s eyes narrow. I haven’t seen him this alert and aware in weeks.
Ordinarily, he is happy to sit back and let me make decisions on behalf of the kingdom.
He just wants to do his crossword puzzle and nap.
Most of the time he can’t be bothered to actually run the country that he is king of.
Now, when I’m in a position to make a crucial alliance, suddenly he has opinions. It’s hard not to be frustrated.
“Liliviere.”
“What?”
“How long have you actually known this man?”
I consider the question. “About...” I glance at the clock. “…six hours.”
Julian groans softly.
Grandfather closes his eyes. “For the love of God, you cannot do this.”
“I know it sounds a little crazy.”
“It most certainly does.”
I smile, trying to charm him into going along with this. “Fine, maybe it is slightly insane of me to want this.”
“Slightly?” he says, aghast.
“A moderate amount.”
He throws both hands into the air. “You are considering marrying the emperor after six hours acquaintance, child! You only met him this morning!”
“Oh, I’m not considering it.”
His expression brightens. “Thank heaven. I knew you’d come to your senses.”
“I have already decided. I am going to walk down the aisle, Grandfather. Today. I love him.”
His head drops into his hands. “You cannot possibly know that.”
“I do, though.”
“Explain,” my grandfather snaps, displaying more kingly command than I think I’ve ever seen him show before.
But answering him proves surprisingly difficult.
How can I explain I have felt overlooked and consumed by my role as princess?
How do I make him understand that when Malakai looks at me, I actually feel seen?
Recognized as a woman as well as a royal princess?
“When Malakai looks at me,” I say softly, “it’s as though everyone else in the world disappears.”
Grandfather frowns. “He kidnapped you.”
“It was…kidnapping adjacent,” I concede. “I have informed him it was unacceptable.”
“And?”
“I believe he intends to kidnap me somewhat more respectfully in the future.”
This time, Julian doesn’t bother attempting to conceal his laughter. I scowl at him across the table. He collects himself, but I can still hear him chuckling softly.
Grandfather stares at me as if he is seeing me for the first time. Finally he says, “Whomever you wed, your marriage is essential to Kellimar’s safety and security. I have to ask. Did the emperor threaten you?”
“No.”
“Coerce you?”
“No.”
“Force you?”
I hesitate. “Apart from throwing me over his shoulder and putting me on his helicopter this morning, no.”
Grandfather’s eyebrows climb.
“But he also immediately agreed that Kellimar remains mine. You will find it spelled out in these documents. Please, I implore you to read them.” At this point, I am not above begging if it will get me what I want.
That finally seems to break through the king’s resistance.
“He agreed not to interfere with your rule?”
“Malakai didn’t even blink when I said I wanted to retain full control of my kingdom without his interference. He agreed immediately.”
“No negotiations?” the king asks skeptically.
“None.”
“No demands?”
“Not a single one.” Unless you count his demand to marry me, to which I have already said yes. We just need everyone to get out of our way.
Grandfather sits back in his seat. “Hm.” He picks up the stack of papers and starts skimming them, reading the terms that have been set out in summary on the first page. I wait with bated breath for him to finish reading.
“It does appear that you speak the truth, Lili.” He seems to be bewildered. “If this is really what you want…”
His pen hovers above the line that will grant me permission to marry Emperor Malakai.
“More than anything,” I breathe, willing him to connect pen and paper. Just sign the damn thing already.
But he doesn’t.
“If I sign this contract...You become an Empress.”
“I know.”
“Your duties will expand far beyond the borders of Kellimar.”
Oh God, he’s not going to do it. My pulse scrambles. “I will always put my country’s needs above my own, or anyone else’s.”
A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “You say that now. What about when you have children? Barring a catastrophe, your heirs will not inherit the empire.”
“That doesn’t matter, Grandfather.”
“So this isn’t an attempt to put your own offspring onto the imperial throne?”
“No,” I say firmly. “I couldn’t care less about that. When have you ever known me to covet power?”
A small smile touches his lips. “Then I wish you much joy spending the rest of your life arguing with that impossible man. Though I found the emperor most disagreeable, you have my blessing.”
“Oh.” I can scarcely believe my eyes as I watch him scribble his name across the paperwork. Before the ink is even dry, the door bursts open and in strides Malakai like an invading army. His wild green eyes find mine instantly.
“There you are,” he says. As if he didn’t know I was in here all along.
I laugh. “I’ve been negotiating.”
“Did you succeed?”
“I did!” I throw myself into his arms. He catches me and swings me around.
“Took you long enough. I waited all of half an hour before barging in here to intervene.”
“I appreciate your restraint, and I am glad you have my back.”
“Every second of separation was torment.” He kisses me hard.
Grandfather clears his throat loudly. Malakai sets me on my feet, seemingly surprised to discover that there are other people in the room.
“Your Imperial Majesty,” Grandfather says dryly.
“My apologies. I was worried about my wife.”
“We aren’t married yet,” I remind him.
His stern mouth tugs into a grin. “Let’s go fix that.”