by Ember Casey
The food serves as a welcome distraction, at least. While we’re eating, it’s easier to pretend we aren’t sitting awkwardly beneath the thundercloud of my father’s anger. Normally I would attempt to break the silence with a joke or funny anecdote, but I sense that both of those would be unwelcome at present.
I glance back at my mother. She seems relaxed, as if she’s perfectly at ease with the situation at hand. Perhaps she knows something I don’t. Or perhaps she has fully accepted this farce for what it is. After a moment, she seems to sense me watching her. She glances up from her plate and smiles at me.
There’s one person in this palace on my side, at least. Two if I count Matthias. I haven’t had a chance to explain to my valet yet that Elle and I intend to stay here for the time being. I expect he’ll be pleased to spend more time here at home. And he’ll have a lot to organize for me over the coming weeks.
I’m planning everything in my head when the door swings open again.
Sophia is there, looking not the least bit ashamed of the fact that she’s arrived nearly forty-five minutes after the official start of supper. She’s dressed appropriately for the occasion, but it’s clear she readied herself in a rush—in fact, she’s still pulling on one of her gloves as she comes into the room.
“Good evening,” she says cheerfully, making a quick curtsy.
I fight back a grin as she comes over to the table. Our father, on the other hand, has gone a bit red about the ears.
“And where exactly have you been?” he demands.
“I was down in the city,” she says lightly, “and I lost track of time. I didn’t realize how late it was until the clock tower chimed, and then I still had to rush back here and change. Forgive me, Father. It won’t happen again.” She doesn’t sound the least bit apologetic.
Our father doesn’t look even slightly impressed by her story. “You’ve been late three times in the last two weeks. That is completely unacceptable.”
“Come now, darling,” my mother says. “Let’s just all enjoy our meal together.”
My father ignores her. Instead, he addresses Sophia. “What were you doing in the city?”
“I told you I’ve been working at the Montovia City School,” she says. There’s more to it than that, I know—there always is with Sophia—but she just innocently picks up her fork.
“That’s not an excuse for your tardiness,” our father says to her. “And that’s certainly not an excuse for repeated transgressions. You are the Princess of Montovia, and you will show your family the proper respect. That means being on time for supper.”
She pokes at her rabbit with her fork. “I assure you, Father, it won’t happen again.”
“You will look at me when we are having a discussion,” our father growls. He’s spent so much of this meal stewing over her absence that he seems to have little patience for her now. “In fact, I think I’m disinclined to let you spend the rest of the meal with us. Next time you are late, don’t bother joining us for supper at all.”
“Darling,” our mother says, “that’s a little harsh.”
“It’s all right, Mother,” Sophia says, rising. “I don’t think I’m inclined to be here myself.”
My mother reaches out to her, but Sophia pulls away.
“I’m fine,” she says lightly. “I swear, Mother. I’ll have them send something to my suite.” She glances across the table at me. “Good to see you home again so quickly this time, Leo.”
I’m beginning to wonder why I bothered coming back, I think as Sophia curtsies to us in farewell. A moment later, she’s retreated, gone as quickly as she appeared.
The second the door has closed, my mother turns a stern eye on my father.
“That was unnecessary, Edmund,” she says.
“It was entirely necessary. That girl needs to learn some manners.”
“There are other ways to teach them,” my mother says. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t all have dinner together.”
“That was a little harsh,” Andrew says, speaking for the first time since we sat down. “Perhaps there is a better way—”
“If you’re so interested in keeping this family in line, then perhaps you should do it,” my father says, standing. “Perhaps you should rule this whole damn country, since you seem to know better than your own father how to do it.”
Andrew stiffens. “That’s not what I meant—”
“Then I trust you’ll keep your mouth shut next time.” He glares down the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I don’t have much of an appetite anymore.” He doesn’t wait for a response. Instead, he turns and marches out of the room.
“Edmund,” my mother calls after him, rising to her feet. When he doesn’t turn back, she goes after him.
Hell, this visit is off to a bloody great start, I think as I drop my fork on the table. To think I had to tear myself away from Elle to come here for this.
Beside me, Andrew is frowning. He rubs his forehead.
“You did this, you know,” he says quietly. “He’s been in a sour mood since you took off three days ago.”
“Oh, no,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “You don’t get to blame me for this. It’s all on him. Because he can’t get his head out of his own ass long enough to see we’re people with lives and wants and needs outside this family and this country.”
“Perhaps that’s the problem,” Andrew says. “Perhaps it’s time that other people here started thinking of this family and this country. It is our duty, after all.” He rises.
“I think of this family and of Montovia all the time,” I say, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t have my own life, too.”
He’s halfway to the door already. “If you thought of Montovia even half as much as you think of women, then perhaps I’d believe you. So far, though, you’re making a poor case for your argument.”
He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before leaving me alone at the table.
What a bloody mess, I think, rubbing my face. Maybe there’s still time to grab Elle and fly us both to Rome for the next few months. Or perhaps somewhere farther—the Maldives, perhaps.
I rise. The only good thing about everyone storming off is I can return to Elle that much sooner. Otherwise, this meal doesn’t exactly bode well for my next three months here.
Elle
I decide not to bring any of the things Leo or Matthias bought for me. I may as well make a clean break—I definitely don’t need anything reminding me of what happened here. And if I’m lucky, I can get a flight out tonight and maybe make it on time to my interview on Tuesday. I suppose it’s a good thing I wasn’t able to call and cancel it after all.
The only thing I bring with me is my purse. My phone and my things are still there—everything was just tucked away in that giant closet.
A woman is waiting for me when I leave my room—a maid, I think, but it’s hard to tell. She doesn’t say anything—she only gives me a curt nod and motions for me to follow her.
She leads me to a staircase at the end of the hallway—it isn’t ornamented or anything like the stairs Leo led me up when he was taking me to my room. It’s pretty clear that wherever we are, it’s meant for the staff to use.
We walk down three flights of stairs, and I wonder for a moment if she’s taking me to a dungeon. Do they even have those anymore? It doesn’t seem too far a stretch to think Leo’s father or Stephan would love to lock me up and throw away the key.
We walk into the depths of the palace—I have no idea where we are, but we wind around several hallways before she leads me to a door. She opens it for me and motions to a small bench next to the steps. “Wait here.”
I nod and clutch my bag to my chest before I sit on the stone bench.
It seems like I wait for a long time, but I don’t have a watch, and my phone died a long time ago—I left the charger in Arizona, thinking I’d be back long before I’d need it again.
God, was that only yesterday?
I know we lost time when we
flew to New York and again when we flew here, but I realize now that my sense of time is pretty messed up. And I’m tired. So much has happened today—if it even is still today. And I haven’t had a chance to make sense of any of it.
The only thing I’m really sure about is whatever it is Leo and I have had together is a giant mistake. For both of us. The best thing I can do is to get the hell out of here before it gets any worse. It really will be better for everyone—including his country—if I leave now.
I start to think that maybe Stephan forgot to call the driver—or that maybe I was supposed to go out a different door. Or maybe he wants me to walk to the airport. Montovia isn’t all that big—maybe walking to the airport isn’t the worst idea in the world. Though it must be getting late—and I have my doubts about how many flights actually go in and out of the airport here. Taking a bus to a bigger city might be a better option.
The door slams behind me, but I don’t turn around. I’m somehow sure it’s going to be Stephan or the nearly silent maid coming to check on me, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to give either of them the time of day. Not that I actually have the time of day. But even if I did, I wouldn’t give them the pleasure of knowing just how fucking hurt I am that this is happening at all. That I’m doing everything I can right now not to cry.
“You’re Elle.”
I don’t look back, but it’s a woman’s voice I hear. A young woman’s voice with something vaguely familiar about it.
She sits on the step closest to the bench where I’m sitting. “Do you mind if I join you?”
I glance over at her finally, somehow sure she’s not someone I’m going to want to speak to. But I recognize her instantly as Leo’s sister, Princess Sophia.
The celebrity tabloids love her only slightly less than they love Leo, and I’m almost ashamed to admit how much I’ve read about her, too. Unlike her brother, she’s not famous for her antics to get the press riled up, but the paparazzi seem to hang on her every action, no matter how noble the cause. From what I know, she spends a lot of her time volunteering. And shopping. There are always photos of her shopping for dresses in Paris. And the gown she’s wearing—and probably ruining by sitting on the stairs—is likely one of them.
She smiles and holds a bag of wrapped candies out to me. “Would you like one? The cook keeps them for me for nights such as these.”
I shake my head. “No, thanks. I’m good.”
She chuckles. “I adore your accent. My brother has gone on and on about it, too.”
My cheeks burn at her comment. Leo’s been talking to his sister about me?
“You weren’t at dinner. I wasn’t there long, but I can tell you that you didn’t miss much. My father can be quite unbearable.”
“Hm.” I’m obviously not inclined to disagree with her—but agreeing seems almost as rude.
“Hence the chocolates. I really should just take them to my room to eat, but I do love watching the sunset from here. And my father can’t find me should he decide to come looking.” She pops a candy into her mouth.
I nod and glance up at the sky. The sun is setting—I’ve been so distracted I hadn’t even noticed.
“There’s a hill over by the stream that is also a beautiful place to watch the sunset. Perhaps you should ask Leo to take you there tomorrow night if the weather holds.”
“I won’t be here tomorrow, but I’m sure it’s lovely.” I stare at the sky, trying to burn the pattern of oranges, reds, and purples into my memory. I’m not sure what it is about this place, but it does seem magical.
Sophia is silent for a moment. “I thought Leo had intended for you to stay for a time. He didn’t offend you, did he?”
I shake my head, but don’t turn to look at her. Something is telling me that if I make eye contact with anyone, I’m going to lose it—I’m going to be a blubbering fool. I let out a long breath. “No, he didn’t offend me. But I don’t belong here.”
“None of us belong here. Well, perhaps Andrew, but even he’s a bit suspect. I swear that he and Leo are hiding something.” She pauses. “Has Leo mentioned anything?”
I glance over at her but don’t meet her gaze. I only shake my head again.
“Oh. Nor to me. But something happened between the two of them. Everything changed after—”
A car pulls into the alleyway and honks. I suppose that’s as good as I’m going to get—some asshole honking at me to get the fuck into the car. No more men holding doors open or helping me into and out of vehicles. My fall from grace was pretty swift, even for me.
I stand and start for the stairs, edging myself around the princess.
“Where are you going?”
I glance down at her and force a smile. “Could you say goodbye to Leo for me?”
She tilts her head before she stands, partially blocking my path. “You can’t just go. Especially if he doesn’t know you’re leaving—”
The car horn sounds again.
I look over at the driver before looking back at Sophia. “Just…just tell him it wasn’t an easy choice.”
“Wasn’t an easy choice?” Her brow furrows. “You know you’ll break his heart if you get into that car, Elle.”
I glance at the car again and I can see the driver is becoming a bit agitated with me. I look back over at Sophia. “I don’t really have a choice. And I don’t want to break his heart. This…this is the only way.”
“The only way for what? No one is forcing you to leave—”
“You’re wrong about that,” I interrupt. “Stephan—”
“Stephan.” She drags out the word. “You can’t listen to that little weasel. Besides, he’s hated Leo and me since we were children. Come…” She motions for me to sit beside her as she sits back down on the top of the stairs. “Sit here and I’ll tell you all the horrible pranks Leo and I have played upon Stephan over the years. Well-deserved pranks—I believe the time we put one hundred spiders in his bed may have been his undoing. He’s always shown a great deal of disdain for the two of us since that incident…” She laughs. “You can’t seriously be leaving because Stephan advised it.”
“He didn’t advise it, exactly. It was more of a demand—”
“A demand, was it?” She shakes her head but the smile never leaves her lips. “I have virtually no influence over my father, Elle. But my mother is an entirely different story. She at least sees reason…” Her voice trails off for a moment and she stares into the clouds before turning her gaze back to mine. “My mother will have Stephan’s head if she finds out about this. What exactly did he say to you?”
“He…” I hesitate, unsure if I can trust this girl. Unsure if I should tell her what he said, even if I can trust her. “Nothing. It isn’t important.”
The car horn sounds again, and this time, the driver holds it down for several sustained moments.
Sophia holds a fist in the air and the horn stops. She chuckles and looks over at me. “Ah, in Montovia, that gesture is the equivalent of your middle finger in America.”
I can’t help but grin. I already love this girl.
She laughs. “You cannot listen to Stephan, Elle. I’ll not have it. Regardless of what he’s said to you. I’ll not have you breaking my brother’s heart. It was difficult enough dealing with Leo these past few months. I’ll freely admit this is my own selfish reasoning—but I cannot nurse him through another broken heart.”
I shake my head. “You realize that Leo broke his own heart. That he left me—”
“Oh, I know. And it took a considerable effort to convince him that he needed to return to you to right his error.”
Something about what she’s saying soothes me—knowing Leo has regretted what happened between us in Los Angeles is somehow comforting to me. I drop to sit next to her.
She holds out the bag of candy to me again and I take one this time, unwrapping the chocolate before popping it into my mouth. I’m not sure I’ve ever tasted anything like it before—some combination of butter and chocolate and so
mething else so delicious it almost melts on my tongue. I think it might be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.
Sophia must read it in my expression because she laughs again. “Delicious, aren’t they? It’s one of the many delicacies of Montovia. Though my father would curl into a ball and die if he knew this was my dinner tonight. Especially as I did not make a very graceful exit this evening.”
“Indeed you did not.” A man’s voice rings out. Andrew takes a seat on the bench where I had been sitting until a moment ago. “What is going on out here, ladies?”
“Leo’s beloved and I are getting to know each other, Brother.” Sophia laughs. “And we’re sharing my favorite meal.”
Andrew rolls his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest. “And the car?”
As if on cue, the driver honks one more time.
Sophia laughs again. “I’ve already told him to leave, but he doesn’t seem to want to hear the message.” She starts to raise her hand into the air again, but must think better of it because she drops it almost as quickly. She turns back to Andrew. “You and Leo had an agreement regarding this lovely woman, did you not?”
Andrew’s mouth opens slightly and he glances at me before turning his gaze back to his sister. “Indeed, we did. We do.”
She nods. “Then why is it that Stephan insists she leave tonight?”
“He did not…” Andrew pauses for a moment. “Did he?”
Sophia and I both nod. I turn my gaze away from Andrew’s. He still hasn’t spoken a word to me, and I’m sure he has no intention of it now.
“What did he say to her?”
I snap my gaze back to his. “I am sitting right here, you know. And I am capable of speaking.”
“I…” He snaps his mouth closed for a moment, his expression softening. “Of course you are. My apologies.”
My eyes widen and I have to blink a few times. He spoke to me. Not around me. Not through me. To me. Maybe I am gaining a bit of ground with these people. Maybe.
“What…” Andrew pauses for a moment, clearly trying to choose his words. “What did he say to you?”
