Page 8 of Façade

Now that the time for my plan had finally arrived, I suddenly found I had no words, all those from my carefully rehearsed script clogging my throat, failing me in the moment of truth. With a breath of resolve, I fixed the posture that in my distraction I’d allowed to slouch and evenly meet his gaze.

“I’ve come to fulfill our arrangement.”

His eyes widened, and for a moment he could only stare, mouth agape in bewilderment. Whatever response he’d been expecting surely hadn’t been one of that nature. “Our…arrangement?”

Already I held his attention in the palm of my hand. I felt a thrill at my advantage, something I’d rarely experienced in our previous interactions during my time as a princess. It was strange I was only now behaving in a manner befitting the role stolen from me, but better late than never.

I nodded. “We’ve been engaged for nearly three years.”

“I’m well aware, but I thought—”

He caught himself and swallowed the remainder of his words, leaving me wondering at the reason for his obvious surprise. He studied me carefully, as if searching for any sign of deceit. It took every ounce of my royal training to remain poised despite my temptation to shift nervously beneath such heated scrutiny.

After a moment’s perusal, during which he seemed to be carefully considering his words, he cleared his throat. “Of course I honor the arrangement our kingdoms have made with one another; it’s my greatest honor to be trusted as Estoria’s future consort.”

I did my best to curb the impulse to roll my eyes. Such a trite response. Though we’d only had a handful of courtship opportunities since our arrangement began, our limited time together had been enough to indicate our relationship was forced. But it wouldn’t do for me to betray my true feelings concerning how strained I always found our interactions; for my scheme to work, I must do all in my power to avoid offending him.

I forced the smile expected of me. “As have I, Prince Ryland.” The lie was painful to speak.

“I’m pleased. I’ve been looking forward to our union with great anticipation.”

No, he merely looked forward to getting his greedy hands on Estoria’s magic. The bitter thought stoked my loathing, making the thought of marrying him nearly impossible. Could I truly marry a man whose image of an honorable prince served as nothing more than a guise for his scheming heart?

It wasn’t a matter if Icould; Ihadto. If I didn’t act before he learned I was a decoy…he would marry the real princess. Even if I approached my parents—the king and queen—with what I’d learned about his true intentions, it would be difficult for them to escape our engagement contract. Only by marrying him in the princess’s stead could I hope to break it. Though my role as decoy had stolen my royal title, at least I still bore the true princess’s name, considering I possessed no other, which would offer legality to our union; ironically, our marriage under a false name would also be enough to violate our contract, offering my former parents grounds to break it on their own, thus protecting Estoria from the prince’s schemes.

“Princess Evelyn?” He seemed to hesitate on my name, as if my improper conduct alone gave him reason to doubt my identity. Mere minutes into the charade and already I was failing in maintaining the proper royal image necessary to convince him to marry me, and it was imperative I succeed. This was my last chance to prove myself, and I wasn’t going to lose it.

“My apologies, I’m still weary from the long journey, one that was essential considering the importance of why I feel compelled to meet with you.”

He remained uncertain, even though he had no reason to suspect the princess he’d always known was nothing more than a decoy. I silently prayed I could safeguard my secret; with every word, I experienced a strange tingling beneath my skin, warm prickles that seemed to envelop me like a warm embrace, easing fear’s painful hold around my heart.

His expression gradually changed as his hesitancy faded. He rested his leg on his knee and leaned back, studying me carefully.

“While I welcome our union, I’m admittedly a bit confused as to how it’s currently coming about. Last we spoke, it was my understanding we hadn’t yet set a formal date set for our marriage, not to mention there’s been little communication between our kingdoms these past several months…only for you to arrive without invitation, proposing we unite now, all while acting on your own authority without the presence of the king and queen?” Unspoken accusations filled his questions, making me fear he’d detected my deceit.

Despite his clear suspicions, he tried to maintain an impassive expression—yet eagerness glistened in his eyes, his lust not for me but for the powers I’d bring to our marriage. I bit the inside of my lip to keep back my smirk at the thought of his impending disappointment when he learned I wasn’t the princess and thus he’d have no claim on the powers he so desired.

“You believe I possess insincere motives?” It was a struggle to keep my voice even so as not to betray my flare of nerves.

He held up his hands in a conceding gesture. “I made no accusation, just pointed out that the situation is…unconventional. I’m merely curious as to your reasons for straying from standard protocol. Do Their Majesties even know you’re here?”

I ached to lie, but not only did honesty seem the best course in this particular instance, but I’d hate to be caught in such a simple lie for fear it’d cause the more essential ones to unravel. “No, I’m acting alone.”

This wasn’t the answer he wanted; for as much as he clearly desired our union, he was certainly proceeding with great caution. “To go against any kingdom’s monarchy would put my kingdom in an unfavorable position, especially considering the struggles we’re already dealing with…”

He appeared to be guarding several secrets of his own, a game I could navigate well, considering my own secrets I kept tucked close.

I examined each word in this game of strategy to ensure they’d lead me to the outcome I desired. “I understand the unconventional manner in which I’m approaching you, but I find myself rather desperate: my parents are considering severing our union.”

His eyes widened in clear alarm. “I’ve admittedly heard rumors of that nature. So they’re true?” His tone was even, his panic barely discernible…yet it still simmered beneath the surface, an emotion I hoped to manipulate in order to achieve my ends.

My conscience prickled that I was doing the very thing I hated Prince Ryland for, even as I justified my deceit: his intentions were to hurt Estoria, mine were to protect it. I tried to quiet the whispered reminder of the selfish reasons motivating me alongside these noble intentions.

It didn’t matter I hoped to prove myself in my course to save my kingdom, so long as I rescued them. I couldn’t even imagine what fate would befall my former subjects if the magic sustaining it was bled dry at the hands of this selfish prince.

I chose my next words carefully in hopes they’d be enough to finally cinch his cooperation. “Another arrangement in the works…between Estoria and Thorndale.” I spoke the name of the infamous kingdom hesitantly, as if even the act of speaking it out loud would cause them to turn their legendary wrath upon Estoria.

Prince Ryland’s eyes bulged. “Thorndale?”

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