Page 25 of Legacy of Glass
“That is correct,” the king said solemnly. “Your kingdom needs you, Olivia of Henton. Surely you will not turn your back on it.”
Olivia looked shaken by his words, but she continued. “But it isn’t a real betrothal, right? I’m not actually going to become a princess?”
Julius turned on his father, using a hard tone he had never directed toward the king before. “Don’t say yes unless you can guarantee it.” He held his father’s eyes until the king gave a slow nod.
“My son is right. I cannot guarantee that our experts will find a way out of this situation. But for the sake of Sovar, we must proceed.”
“I…” Olivia looked from Julius to his parents. “I suppose there’s nothing for me to say, in that case. I will do my best—and hope your scholars find a solution quickly.”
His parents both nodded, but Julius could read the lingering surprise and unease in their eyes. Clearly when they’d considered all the problems of this unexpected situation, they hadn’t anticipated the possibility that Olivia might refuse to go along with their plans.
But given her earlier remonstrance—which was still ringing in his ears—they needn’t have worried. He had been wrong to assume she lacked the sense of responsibility he had been raised with. Olivia would do what was needed for the sake of Sovar, no matter how much she disliked him personally.
“What now?” he asked, wondering for the first time what hour it was. The last thing he wanted was to be forced into returning to the ball and playing the part of a besotted man for the rest of the night.
He had barely finished the question when the loud toll of a clock reached the terrace. At the Midsummer Ball, there was only one hour of the night that rang out loudly enough to be heard outside. He breathed a sigh of relief.
“I think we can all be grateful for that,” the king murmured, hearing the same sound. “We’ve all had enough shocks tonight, and the last thing we need is any further mistakes. Everyone will be expecting Lady Olivia to leave now, and I see no need to even pass through the ballroom again. She can leave directly from here.”
He frowned. “But if I understand matters correctly, Lady Olivia will need a ride home since her original carriage has abandoned her.” He glanced toward the letter which his wife had allowed to fall to the ground.
Olivia followed his gaze and retrieved the piece of paper, folding it and securing it in a hidden pocket. No one protested. The letter had been addressed to her and was hers by right. Julius imagined she was going to have some angry words for her friend when they next met.
“I’ll call for a carriage to be brought round.” The queen moved toward one of the doors further down the terrace. “You can circle the outside of the palace and meet it by the front steps without needing to go inside at all. The official announcement of the betrothal always happens the day after the ball, so nothing more is needed for now.”
Olivia nodded her assent before looking at the king. “You called me Lady Olivia, but I’m not one of the nobility. I’m just an ordinary girl.”
Julius could hear the shock and overwhelm in her voice. She was clearly as unable to believe the events of the evening as he was.
“Consider it a courtesy title,” his father replied. “You are betrothed to the crown prince now, after all. And while you will only become a princess on your marriage—if it ever occurs—it doesn’t seem right to introduce you as merely Olivia.”
“I…I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that,” Olivia said hesitantly.
Julius wanted to sigh. Did she have to fight them on everything, no matter how small?
But his father showed more patience. “If you’re concerned about what will happen if the betrothal is successfully broken, we won’t ask you to give up the title in the future. My wife can be overenthusiastic at times, but we will certainly provide for your future one way or another.”
“Very well, then,” Olivia said in a small, dignified voice. “It’s all very strange, but I will manage the best I can.”
“And we will assist you, of course.”
A footman appeared around the palace, and Julius’s father threw him a look. In his role as Prince Charming, he still had one final duty before he was allowed to finish for the night.
Forcing a smile, Julius offered Olivia his arm. She looked from it to his flat expression, clearly wanting to refuse. But then she glanced at the king and placed her fingers lightly on Julius’s arm.
Something in the soft, almost trembling, touch made him soften. Neither of them wanted their situation, but they were stuck in it together. Earlier, in the ballroom, he had been the only one acting a role, but now they would be acting it together.
They rounded the building, leaving his father behind.
“They do believe I knew nothing of Marigold’s scheme, don’t they?” Olivia asked quietly, her brows tight with worry. “Can I trust their promises to me, or do they just need my compliance?”
Julius stiffened, the fledgling warmth freezing over. “My parents are people of integrity. They are not liars.”
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I meant no offense. I’m new to the capital and know little of you or your family.”
Julius closed his eyes briefly, drawing in a long breath. She was not only unfamiliar with court but unfamiliar with everything, it seemed.
They reached the carriage, and he handed her in. He went to close the door more forcefully than necessary, but a sudden memory made him pause. Pulling it back open, he held out his hand silently.
