Page 21 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

“Ember,” I said

“Please…just go.”

I felt empty inside—a hollowness as if Ember had reached inside me and ripped out a part of my soul. Feeling numb, I turned away from her and followed my guards. We stepped inside the palace and down the long corridor to the throne room in the back. The guards positioned on either side of the corridor gave a salute as I swept by.

Standing before the ornate golden doors, the two guards grabbed the ring handles and pulled the doors open to allow me entrance. Before the doors spanned a velvet carpet thatstretched all the way to the two thrones at the back of the room. I raised a brow to find the court oddly empty of the usual nobles. The large floor gleamed under the row of crystal chandeliers. More guards stood along the fringes of the room, their gaze cast straight ahead.

“The court has been dismissed for the day,” a deep voice boomed from the throne. Because I have some important news I wish to share with you, my son.”

The King sat on his throne, his arms braced along the armrests, his feet firmly planted on the dais. Beside him sat my mother, Queen Mercer. Her throne was slightly smaller than my father’s—hers positioned to his left. Her eyes were soft with happiness, a gentle smile gracing her lips. The king stretched out a hand, beckoning me forward.

I walked down the length of the carpet, my footsteps muted on the plush material. “You called me?”

A slight frown furrowed my mother’s brow. “You can at least attempt to speak to your father with more respect, Drake.”

A smirk threatened to tug at the corners of my lips. It was always amusing to get a rise out of the queen, who always insisted on proper decorum, whether the court was present or not. I dipped my head in respect. “Yes, mother.”

Her lips pursed, yet she said nothing else, merely shot him a warning look. Drake stopped before the dais, his gaze drawing up the length of the four steps to peer at his father.

“Yes, my father?”

The king paused momentarily, rubbing a thumb and index finger along his cleft chin. “Tell me, how does the Princess fair these days?

My mind chose that moment to return to the gardens and our earlier conversation.

Do we really want this peace treaty?

Hurt had flared within her blue gaze. I had brought that emotional pain upon her. By my indecisiveness where she and Rosalana were concerned. My chest tightened, but I pushed the words up my throat and replied, “She seems to be doing well, for the most part.”

The King nodded. “I am pleased to hear that. I figured it would be an adjustment for her to learn our ways and abide in our home—as it would be an adjustment for anyone.”

“Yet, she seems to be thriving,” the queen spoke up. Her smile widened. “I must say, my son, she is only doing so well due to your careful attentions toward her. You do your kingdom proud by fully accepting your duty.”

I grimaced slightly at her words.If only I accepted my duties wholeheartedly. Then I could clear up this mess.

The King’s gaze narrowed a fraction as he caught sight of my facial movements. “Is there a problem?” He asked, leaning forward on his throne slightly.

My eyes widened slightly as a fissure of alarm shot through my insides. I clenched my jaw, debating on whether to broach the topic with the King. I shot a glance around the empty throne room and sighed.

Now is as good a time as any…

“I…know Ember and I agreed to this engagement and the union of our two countries,” I began. “But I can’t help but dwell on the prior obligations I had…before Ember.”

The queen’s brow rose, confusion flashing across her face. “What is it you speak of?”

I looked at my father. By how his eyes narrowed with anger, I knew he knew what I was referring to. He heaved a deep sigh and rubbed at his brow. The queen slid him a questioning glance.

“You are referring to the common female, Rosalana Darro, am I correct?” The King said.

The queen’s eyes snapped back to me, her lips twisting in a scowl. “You still fret over your promise to your late friend? My son that has been years past. Surely it is time to move on with your life.” Her eyes narrowed into thin slits. “Besides that, I find that female highly arrogant, especially for her station. You would think how she parades around this palace that she is part of the royal family.”

My thoughts drifted back to the times Rosalana had rubbed the queen the wrong way. I recalled one dinner a few years back with the dignitaries we hosted from another kingdom. Rosalana had swept into the dining room and promptly sat beside me, waiting to be served her portion. My mother’s face had turned blotchy from anger, and it took my father’s soothing words to keep her from throwing Rosalana out by her brown hair. My mother’s disdain for her had grown insurmountable ever since.

Irritation rippled along my skin. I fought to keep the growl out of my voice. “I know how much you dislike her mother,” I said.

“Understatement of the millennium,” my mother hissed.

“But I made a promise to wed my friend’s sister, Rosalana. I can’t very well break it.”

---