Chapter 35
The Following Day
“Are you telling me your fake engagement turned real? You’re actually getting married?” Josephine asks.
“I am. And I was the one who proposed.”
“God, Jazmina. You’re incredible. So sure of what you want!”
“Sure?” I scoff. “I proposed out of pure desperation!”
Although that’s no longer the reason I want to become the Duchess of Kindubh, I confess silently.
“When you say desperation . . . were you afraid of your brother?”
“Not afraid. Neither Kaled nor my father would ever hurt me, but I have no doubt that after the stunt I pulled with the fake engagement, they would’ve forced me back to Rheadur.”
“Look, I don’t want to be a buzzkill, but don’t you think getting married is taking things a little too far? I mean, okay, I get that your family would lose their minds over the scandal, but surely sitting down and talking would’ve solved it.”
“I apologize in advance if this sounds rude, but you don’t fully understand our culture because you grew up in a different environment, Josephine.
As if it weren’t enough that I’m a woman in a society where men make the rules for their own benefit, I’m also a princess, which raises the level of my obligations. ”
“Like what, for example?”
“We don’t marry for love but rather for the country’s advantage. Either way, things between Rodrick and me have changed. I truly want to marry him.”
“Will your brother allow you to marry a Westerner?”
“We didn’t give him much of a chance not to.
We informed him of our decision. I think he agreed so quickly partly because trying to undo our engagement would cause an even bigger scandal.
It also helped that Rodrick isn’t just any Westerner; he’s his friend.
Still, I don’t believe that’s the main reason Kaled didn’t oppose it more strongly. ”
“Then what is?”
“He knew I didn’t want to marry any of the neighboring princes and that I wanted to live outside our country. I don’t think he’ll ever admit it, but by giving his blessing for me to marry Rodrick, he ended up prioritizing my desire for freedom without breaking any rules or customs of Rheadur.”
“Your brother is a good man. Whenever I think of sheikhs, I picture some of the novels I’ve read—so sexist, authoritarian.”
“He is honorable and fair, but don’t be mistaken about the authoritarian part. Kaled is extremely controlling. Actually, Rodrick is cut from the same cloth.”
“No wonder they’re close friends.”
“Yes. To be honest, even though I was nervous, I enjoyed the conversation. Kaled tried to argue that Rodrick wouldn’t be able to remain faithful.
After that, they started exchanging coded messages about past secrets during the video call.
I suspect—no, I’m certain—that neither of them was a monk when it came to women, so if Kaled said he didn’t believe Rodrick could change, it meant that he himself hadn’t either.
Which would’ve put him in hot water with Adeela. ”
“And what do you believe?”
“I don’t know. I don’t have enough life experience to be sure, but from what I know of him, I don’t think Rodrick is the cheating type.
He ends things first. Remember what I told you?
He said he didn’t intend to sleep with the wife he married.
That says a lot about his character. It would’ve been a formal agreement only, almost a business transaction. ”
“True, but you managed to put your duke in his place: completely at your feet,” she says, laughing.
“He’s not at my feet. Besides, I don’t think Rodrick is the kind of man who kneels for any woman. But enough rambling. I need your help.”
“Always at your service, Princess. Oh, and speaking of help, I’ve already made a list of what I’ll need to produce your cat pendant.”
“Great. Send it to me along with the cost.”
“No cost. I’m not charging you. Just give me the materials. You’ll be my showcase. If it turns out well, I’m sure I’ll get more commissions.”
“That’s not fair, Josephine. You deserve to be paid like anyone else.”
“Believe me when I say you’re a walking advertisement, Your Highness. After I sold you that silver bracelet, I got three more orders. But don’t worry, they’re all unique pieces. I never make the same jewelry twice,” she adds, clearly misreading my stunned expression.
“That wasn’t what I was worried about. I was thinking about how strange people are.”
“They are, undeniably. But in what sense, exactly?”
“They need validation to decide whether they like something or not. You said they ordered your jewelry after seeing me wear it. That’s absurd, because your talent is unquestionable.”
“You’re the sweetest friend a girl could ask for, Jazmina. When I’m feeling down, I already know who to call.”
“Since I’m being so kind, return the favor and help me choose not only the outfit I’ll wear to the engagement reception held by one of Rodrick’s distant aunts, but also a full trousseau for after the wedding.
As a duke, he needs to formalize our relationship before Scottish society, so he’ll take me to Kindubh to introduce me to distant relatives and the high society there.
The only time I went, I overheard two women talking about my accent. I don’t want to embarrass him.”
“That wouldn’t be possible. You’re beautiful. I bet it came from a bunch of bitter women who wished they were in your place. What do you want to do?”
“I need your help choosing outfits worthy of a duchess for formal occasions. He said I’ll have a personal stylist at my disposal.
I’ll take her advice too, but I want to keep my personality and not look like a wax museum exhibit.
Still, I know I need a makeover. I thought my clothes were fashionable, but apparently they’re not.
I feel insecure, especially about attending the engagement announcement reception.
As I told you, I own expensive clothes, but not necessarily sensual ones, and I want my fiancé and every sharp-tongued woman there to drool when I walk in. ”
“How much are you willing to spend?”
“It doesn’t matter, as long as I look stunning.”
Hours Later
“Peace be upon you, my father.”
“And upon you first, my daughter. Now that we’ve completed the formalities, what do you think you’re doing with your life, Jazmina?”
I swallow hard. “Have you spoken with Kaled?”
I should have waited until Rodrick was with me before calling my father, but my conscience was too heavy to keep postponing the conversation. My father has always been wonderful to me, and I don’t want him to think his blessing isn’t important now that my brother has given his.
Former sheikh or not, I still respect him as my leader.
“Yes, Jazmina, I have. And I will ask you only once, because it is not my place to override our sheikh’s blessing: are you sure about what you’re doing?”
“It’s what I want, Father. It doesn’t mean I don’t love Rheadur or our family; it means I need more to be happy than what I had there.”
“And you believe this young man, Rodrick, will give you what you need?”
“He’s not a boy. He’s a man like my brother. He’s good, protective, and he respects me.”
“I like him. All of your brother’s friends, actually. Men of character, without exception. What I don’t know if I like is the idea of my daughter going so far away. We had plans for you.”
“I know. And none of the candidates included in those plans pleased me.”
“Is that why you became engaged so suddenly?”
“I love what Rodrick and I are together, Father,” I say, dodging the question because he’s partly right. “Once you told me that we must admire our spouse. I admire him. In fact, I adore him, even though I don’t let him know that.”
He smiles. “You were always different, Jazmina, and perhaps that’s why you’re my favorite.”
“Bless me, Father. I want to marry him.”
“You have my blessing, my child. I won’t lie and say I’m pleased, but I won’t do anything to stop you. Just promise me that if this union isn’t what you imagine, you’ll come home.”
“I won’t begin a life together expecting the worst, Father.” I dodge commitment again. “How is Mother?”
“It’s complicated, my daughter. Give her some time to adjust to the idea.”
“We’ll have a civil wedding here before we come to Rheadur.”
“Why the rush?”
“We don’t want to wait, but afterward I want you to give us your blessing in a small ceremony with only close family.”
“Kaled told me he’ll attend your wedding. He’ll represent me. The doctor doesn’t want me traveling to high altitudes anymore.”
“That’s fine, Father. The sheikh will represent our country, and afterward we’ll all celebrate together there at home.”
“It’s not what I dreamed for you—which was a wedding lasting four days, as is customary in our country. You’re a princess and deserve much more.”
“And Rodrick is a duke, and yet he agreed to my request for a simple wedding. I don’t care about the ceremony. I care about hearing you say you’re not disappointed in me.”
“I’m not, Jazmina. I don’t understand your reasons, and I hope you’re making the right choice.
My only comfort is knowing that your brother would never agree to this if he weren’t convinced you’d be well taken care of.
I only hope it doesn’t become a trend for my daughters to marry foreigners, or I’ll be left alone in Rheadur. ”
I smile at the exaggeration. He has always been jealous of his daughters.
“I love and respect you, Father. You will always be my sheikh.”