The Betrothed

by Kiera Cass

  I was surprised to find he was not so different from me, not so difficult to see at home within these castle walls.

  Eight

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE KNOCK came right on time.

  “Which do you think it is?” Delia Grace wondered aloud. “Either gifts from His Majesty or another lord coming to seek your favor?’

  I avoided her eyes, unsure how this would unfold. “Neither.”

  “Lady Nora Littrell,” the maid announced as my guest rounded the corner.

  “What’s she doing here?” Delia Grace asked under her breath.

  “I invited her,” I clarified, standing to greet my guest. “Thank you for coming, Lady Nora.”

  “Happy to be here. What can I do for you?”

  I swallowed, knowing the following statement would shock Delia Grace. “I’ve asked you here to offer you a position in my household.”

  Sure enough, Delia Grace looked positively aghast as she sputtered, “What? Why her?”

  “Because she was lady enough to apologize when she did something foolish, and gracious enough not to hold my own foolishness against me.” I looked back at my dearest friend. “Our reach at court is limited. Lady Nora knows people we don’t, and she’s bright. As you’ve pointed out, I need all the help I can get.”

  At that Delia Grace dropped her head, blushing, looking as if she were crushing her teeth together behind her lips.

  “Granted, my place isn’t official yet,” I began again, looking back to Nora, “but if you want it, I’d like you both to be in my entourage. Delia Grace, of course you will be primary lady-in-waiting, and Nora, if you want to join us, you can be a lady-in-waiting as well. If things continue like they have been, and Jameson proposes, I will ask for your help in assembling the rest of my household, so that we can assure that it is the happiest it could possibly be. And, naturally, any favor that comes upon me, I will gladly share with you.”

  Nora walked over, taking my hands. “I’d love to be your lady! Hollis, thank you!” Her smile was genuine, and any resentment she’d harbored toward me for winning Jameson’s heart was clearly gone. Maybe it had never even been there to begin with.

  Delia Grace, however, was still fuming.

  I stared evenly at her. “This will only work if the two of you can cooperate. You are very different ladies with different personalities and gifts, and I don’t know how I’m to get through this without you both. Please.”

  Delia Grace’s arms were crossed, her expression unmistakably telling me I’d just betrayed her in the deepest way possible.

  “I was always going to have to get other ladies. You suggested it yourself,” I reminded her.

  “I know. I just didn’t think . . . She’ll answer to me, right?” Delia Grace asked.

  “You’re the primary lady-in-waiting,” Nora said before I could reply. “Everyone would answer to you.”

  “I expect you to be fair,” I cautioned her, “but, yes, you outrank everyone who comes after.”

  She sighed. “Fine.” She looked at me, her eyes clearly disappointed. “If you’ll excuse me, my lady, I have a headache. And it seems you have someone else to tend you now.”

  With that she stormed off, the slamming door echoing in her wake.

  “I guess I couldn’t have expected that to go any better,” Nora admitted.

  “It will take a lot to undo everything that’s passed between you two,” I replied.

  “Yes. I have to say, with how . . . distant we’ve all been with her, I’m surprised you’re willing to give me a chance at all.”

  I turned to her. “Well, I’m a big supporter of second chances. I’m hoping that Delia Grace will give you one as well. And that you’ll try to make a new start with her.”

  Her discomfort was written across her face as she worked up the nerve to answer. “That might be nice. Sometimes . . . it’s easier being at court when all the negative attention is on someone else, if that make sense.”

  I sighed. “Yes. Yes, it does.”

  She gave a sad shrug. “My family has scandals of its own—almost all noble families do—but it made life here easier knowing there was someone to direct all the gossip at.”

  “I understand. But that is all in the past. Sooner or later, you will have to offer her an apology. I need your help, but I cannot be without her.”

  She nodded. “I won’t let you down, my lady. I’m pleased beyond words just to be a part of this. You’re going to be in the history books. Do you realize that?”

  I took in a shaky breath through my smile. “I do. . . . I think that’s why I’m so nervous.”

  Nora kissed my cheek. “Don’t worry. You have Delia Grace, and now you have me.”

  Before I could thank her, my mother burst through the door, looking as if she was ready to wage war.

  She looked between Nora and me, Nora’s hands still in mine, and pointed an accusing finger. “Did you really let that girl into your household?”

  After a moment of shock, I understood. “I assume you ran into Delia Grace.”

  “I did.”

  “I wonder why you finally saw fit to take anything she says seriously. Could it be because she brought up a piece of my life you forgot to wrap your hands around?”

  She didn’t deny it. She didn’t say she was looking out for me, or that there was a better way to go about it that I hadn’t considered. It was just one more thing that was meant to be mine but, in her eyes, wasn’t.

  “What makes you think you have the capacity to arrange your own household?” she spat. “I expected you to keep Delia Grace; there was no way around that.” She rolled her eyes, bitter that the only friend I’d had at the castle chose to stay by my side. “And I’ll allow this because Nora is of a more reputable family than most, but from here on in, your father and I will be choosing your ladies. Is that understood?”

  It was exhausting, bearing the weight of her constant demands. Was it not enough that I was all but betrothed to a king? No one else could have given her that; a son couldn’t have given her that.

  She huffed and stormed out as quickly as she’d come.

  “Don’t worry,” Nora whispered. “I’ve got an idea.”

  Delia Grace was in the garden, stripping petals from the flowers and tossing them at the ground. It was a place we both loved and often retreated to. In a world where everything was fast and people were always chasing after something, the garden was a breath of quiet.

  But not for long.

  “How could you go complain to my mother?” I called, marching across the grass. “She’s now demanding to build my entire household. Don’t you think her choices would be far worse than anyone I could choose?”

  Delia Grace rolled her eyes. “Your mother has some sense about her. That’s more than I can say for you.”

  “We can’t stay alone in my room forever! Eventually, we’re going to have to find out who we can trust and who we can’t.”

  She laughed shrilly. “And you think the best place to start is with the person who teased me the most for the last ten years?”

  “Nora was wrong, and she told me so. I think she’s too ashamed to admit it to you yet, but she knows she has a lot to make up for.”

  “Oh, yes, I’m sure you inviting her into your household has nothing to do with her sudden change of heart.”

  I sighed. “Even if it does, shouldn’t we take it? This is why I didn’t tell you what I was thinking. Nora’s the only lady at court beyond you I thought I could ask for help. But I knew you would prevent it if you could.”

  She just sat there, shaking her head.

  “Didn’t you say I should make a household?” I reminded her. “Weren’t you the one who wanted me to learn more, be better?”

  At that, she finally stood. “Would you please stop throwing my own ideas in my face?” She took a few deep breaths, wiping at her forehead as if she could erase the worry in her creased brow. “Next time, would you please tell me? Before you add someone, would you let me k
now? Then I can brace myself.”

  I went over and took her hands, pleased she was willing to even let me hold them. “You say that as if I did this to intentionally hurt you. I promise, I didn’t. I thought bringing Nora in would help us. And I think she’s genuinely sorry for how she’s hurt you.”

  Delia Grace stood in front of me, shaking her head again. “She’s a consummate actress. You’re too simple to see through it all.”

  I swallowed the ache of the insult. “Well, I may be simple, but I am also on the right hand of the king. So I need you to trust me. And I need you to help; you know I can’t do this alone.”

  She propped her hands on her hips, considering. For a moment, I wondered if she’d actually leave me.

  “Just don’t let her forget her place, all right?”

  I shook my head. “You don’t have to like her.”

  “Good. Because right now I hardly like you.” With that she barreled off, leaving me in my favorite place feeling decidedly unpeaceful.

  Nine

  “LADY HOLLIS,” THE MAID WHISPERED, her voice shaky. I was still in bed as she was getting fresh water and stoking the fire. “His Majesty demands you come immediately to the Great Room for an urgent matter.”

  I turned and saw a guard standing behind her shoulder. No wonder the poor thing was so on edge. What did it mean that someone had to chaperone me? My gut told me nothing good. Still, I kept my voice steady as I spoke.

  “If His Majesty demands it, then I am ready. My robe, please.”

  The maid helped me into my dressing gown and quickly pinned the front pieces of my hair back. I would have felt so much better if Delia Grace had been the one doing it. She would have talked because, within seconds, she would have had a plan. I wiped water across my face so I looked a little more awake and took a deep breath.

  “Please lead the way,” I instructed the guard, as if I somehow couldn’t find my own way to the Great Room. The hallways echoed so when they were empty. Usually, it sounded like a special kind of music to me. But being escorted in my nightclothes for an unknown reason completely knocked the notion from my head.

  When I arrived, I saw Jameson was sitting on his throne, holding a letter in his hand and looking cross. My parents were there as well, escorted by their own guard, and glaring at me as if I’d summoned them at this early hour. Their presence was not unexpected, but that of the entire Eastoffe family was. Everyone in the room was in various stages of getting dressed, even Jameson himself. Though I had to admit he looked rather dashing with his hair rumpled and his shirt untied.

  I curtsied before him, judging by his expression that this might not be the best time to mention that. “Your Majesty. How might I serve you?”

  “In due time, Hollis. First, I have some questions.” Both his expression and tone were calm, calculating. He looked across the faces in the room, as if deciding who to start with first. “You,” he finally said, pointing to the Eastoffes.

  “Your Majesty,” Lord Eastoffe began, falling on one knee.

  “Have you been in contact with your former king?”

  He shook his head fervently. “No, Your Majesty, not at all.”

  Jameson pursed his lips a little, tilting his head. “I find that hard to believe after receiving this,” he said, holding up the letter. “The kings of Coroa and Isolte meet annually, as you know. I suspect you’ve been in dear old King Quinten’s entourage these many years past.”

  Lord Eastoffe nodded.

  “This is my second time meeting with him as a sovereign in my own right, but isn’t it interesting that he suddenly has decided to bring his queen with him?” Jameson raised his eyebrows. “Can you think of any reason he might do that?”

  “Who could guess at his motives, Your Majesty? As you know, he’s very impulsive, and recently, he’s become less and less predictable.” Lord Eastoffe was clearly sweating. “I find it as surprising as you do, as he rarely lets the queen accompany him abroad.”

  “I think he has heard my heart has finally settled,” Jameson announced. “I think he knows I intend to give Coroa a queen, and he is bringing that wench to compare her to the fairest lady in our kingdom.”

  He wasn’t shouting the words, but he was very close, so it was hard to know if it was intended to be a compliment or not. After all that fretting in my room, I couldn’t see why I’d gotten so bothered for something that seemed so common. Didn’t kings often travel with their wives? What did it matter if we were seated side by side?

  Then I pushed down the only reason that crossed my mind as to why this could be a bad thing: that when placed next to a proper queen, I would look foolish, and all the lords we’d been swaying to support me would be lost.

  I ducked my head as he went on.

  “I’m just very curious how he only learned of her importance the week after you arrived.” He leaned back on his throne. “I’ve known that man my whole life. He will come and disparage the Lady Hollis in any way he can, and I ought to know, as he’s attempted to do the same to me.”

  “Your Majesty, regardless of what he thinks—”

  “Silence!”

  Lord Eastoffe lowered his head even deeper into a bow, wiping at the sweat across his brow. Behind him, his wife reached for her daughter’s hand, clutching it tight.

  Jameson stood and stalked across the raised platform like an animal in a cage, looking for the weak link in the bars to break through.

  “You will be front and center for all events, and, as new Coroan citizens . . . on your absolute best behavior. Should Quinten come across anything about you to draw complaint, you’ll find yourselves a head length shorter.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” the Eastoffes chorused back at him breathlessly. Even I was having a hard time finding my lungs.

  “I believe there are three or four other high-ranking Isolten families in the castle. You will pass on this instruction to them. If you want to stay here, I expect perfect allegiance.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Lady Eastoffe, you must train Lady Hollis in Isolten manners. I want her to make that girl Quinten put on the throne look like a joke.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” This woman, who I’d only seen that one time in passing, offered me a small but reassuring smile. Something about her expression said that she wouldn’t let me fail.

  “Lord and Lady Brite,” Jameson said to my parents. “I am charging you with making sure Hollis knows enough of what’s happening with Mooreland and Great Perine to be able to speak should she be approached.”

  My father heaved out a ragged sigh, twisting that silver ring again. It was a very special ring, one of hundreds passed down from men who’d served directly under King Estus in battle. One would think it’d be handled with care. All he ever used it for was worrying. “That is a lot to cover, Your Majesty.”

  “And any shortcomings on that will be accounted to you, sir. I am well aware of how capable Lady Hollis is, and I will not be made a fool of,” Jameson thundered.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” Father bowed deeply.

  “Anyone else have something to say?” Jameson asked, his dark eyes searching us. I hesitantly raised my hand, and he nodded toward me.

  “As the Eastoffes are artisans, mightn’t it be nice to have something made to mark the occasion? Twin items of some kind for you and King Quinten, something to mark you as peers, especially if he is intimidated by your youth and strength, which very well may be the cause for him parading his wife. Perhaps it would pacify him to offer up a gesture of . . . peace.” I quickly peeked over at Silas, his long hair still a mess from sleep. Like his mother’s, his eyes were reassuring, and I sighed, hoping this idea would be good for both of us.

  Jameson smiled, though it was colder than usual. “See, Lord Brite? Your daughter’s mind is faster than yours, even on your best day.” He turned to the Eastoffes. “Do as she says. And make it quick. They will be here on Friday.”

  My stomach plummeted to the floor. Friday? That was . . . that was
tomorrow. Jameson had told me they’d be coming at the end of the week. . . . How had I completely lost track of the time? And worse, how was I supposed to prepare everything in a day?

  He stood, ending the meeting, and everyone dispersed.

  I pressed my hand against my stomach, watching Jameson’s angry back as he stormed away. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Besides the fact that they had been longtime enemies of Coroa, I didn’t know much about Isoltens. Lessons in their manners? Understanding continental politics? I doubted even Delia Grace could manage all that in such a short time.

  “When shall I come to you, my lady?” Lady Eastoffe asked quietly, dropping into a deep curtsy, a gesture I was still adjusting to.

  “I’m sure you haven’t had a chance to eat yet. Do that first, and then come as soon as you are able.”

  She nodded and left with her family, the littlest one sniffling. Lord Eastoffe got on his knee again to speak to him. “You have nothing to fear, Saul,” he promised. “This is a different king, a kinder king. See how he asks us to help? All will be well.”

  Behind this little one, Silas and Sullivan were there to ruffle his hair and offer comfort. Silas looked up from his brother and offered me another smile similar to his mother’s, though, admittedly, her eyes didn’t sparkle like his. In truth, I’d never seen anyone’s eyes sparkle like his.

  “You’d better be up to this,” Father warned me in passing, making me aware that I’d been staring. “You will not humiliate us in front of the lords again.”

  I sighed. I’d gone from being the lady Jameson was going to dance with at dinners to his official companion for a visit from a foreign king. From what I remembered of Jameson’s mother, dozens of tasks fell on her for state visits. Was I expected to do everything a queen would? I shook my head. I couldn’t handle this alone; I needed my ladies.

  Ten

  “NO,” I SAID AS NORA pulled out another dress. “Too dark.”