Page 34 of Legacy of Glass
Irritation swept over Julius. Did Olivia always have to be so contrary? Was she trying to make her situation more difficult? They were all trying to do their best—even if Julius’s best was apparently short of where it needed to be.
Olivia drew a deep breath. “There’s nothing I can do about my past ignorance and inexperience. I can only improve for the future. I am well aware I have a lot to learn if I’m going to manage my role creditably—even if it is only a temporary role. So while I might not have much of value to bring, I am ready to learn and want to assure you that I will be a willing and enthusiastic student.”
For a moment Julius let himself remember all the aspects of royal life that he did know well. In teaching Olivia, perhaps he would finally have a chance to show her his true capabilities. The pleasant image lasted for only a moment before she turned to his mother.
“I stand ready to be your pupil, Your Majesty.”
His mother immediately softened. When she married Crown Prince Robert, she had known that the two of them would only ever have one child, and that the Legacy would ensure it was a son. But Julius knew she had grieved not being able to have more children—especially a daughter. She was delighted at the prospect of not only dressing Olivia but also training her to fill the same role she herself filled.
He tried not to let any disappointment show. He tried not tofeelany disappointment.
But when his parents were called away, leaving him alone in the receiving room with Olivia, he couldn’t stop himself speaking.
“You might find I have something to teach you as well, even if I’m just the prince.” He heard the self-mocking note and changed tack. “And what of you? Don’t you think you might be selling yourself short? Surely you have something you can?—”
“Selling myself short?” Olivia, who had wandered to one of the windows, whirled around. “I have no idea what to do in this situation! Nothing in my life has prepared me for this. I suppose you think I’m just trying to be difficult, but I would far rather undersell myself than oversell. I have no desire to raise false expectations I can’t possibly fulfill. I was only speaking the truth. Idon’tknow the capital.” She drew in an angry breath. “Don’t you think enough damage has already been done from misunderstandings? I don’t want to be the cause of any more.”
Defensiveness surged in Julius, but the wild look in her eyes made him pause. He wasn’t even sure if she was angry at him or just overwhelmed, and if he was honest, some of his irritability toward her had come from a similar place. Underneath it all, the two of them weren’t so different. In the last week, he had also had reason to question if he was fit for his role, and the question had scared him as much as it seemed to scare her.
He gave a half bow. “My apologies.”
“Those again,” she muttered, making his brow crease.
They might be the same in some ways, but they were still a world apart. What did she have against his apologies? Her presence seemed to make him constantly misstep, and surely it was better that he apologized than not.
“Don’t worry,” he said after an awkward pause. “My parents have a whole team of scholars and historians scouring the kingdom’s records and history books for any overlooked aspect of the Legacy that we might use to escape our…predicament.”
A lovely way to describe a betrothal. But he knew she would think it was apt.
“So much trouble caused by one pair of glass slippers,” she murmured. From her manner, his words hadn’t inspired much hope.
His stomach twisted at the idea that any girl would consider it a hopeless prospect to be tied to him. Even if he did feel the same way about being tied to her.
Mostly.
“Do you really think there’s any chance they’ll find something new about the Legacy after centuries?” she asked doubtfully.
Despite himself, he wanted to give her hope and see her smile again. “There are still parts of the Legacy that are unfamiliar,” he offered. “Even after all this time, scholars are still debating what part of Sovar’s history causes the Legacy to create treacherous ground anywhere there is particular natural beauty.”
“That’s true,” Olivia conceded, perhaps remembering his own near fall, as he was. “But that’s not exactly the same as an undiscovered aspect of the Legacy.”
Julius shrugged, unable to think of anything to say that wouldn’t sound depressing. Olivia turned away from him and pointed to a stack of paper and a pot of ink on a desk in the corner of the room.
“If I write a letter, will you see that it’s delivered for me?”
Julius frowned at the sudden change of topic. “Of course.”
She smiled at last, although he didn’t feel he’d earned it with such a measly act of service.
“If I’m to live at the palace,” she said, “I have a couple of requirements.”
Julius’s frown deepened.
She gave him a level stare. “I think that’s fair enough given everything I’m being asked to sacrifice.”
He considered pointing out that her sacrifice was exchanging the life of a servant for one of a princess but decided against it. He, of all people, knew that giving up your freedom was a sacrifice, regardless of what trappings of rank came with it.
“What are your requirements?” he asked instead. “I’ll grant them if I can.”
