Page 44 of Lost Heir
I knew the answer she wanted from me. She wanted me to agree with her as I always used to do to please her. But not this time. No. This was something I couldn’t agree to. This was marriage. A lifelong commitment. And even if that wasn’t the case, too much unpleasantness had passed between me and Caelan in the Central Plains. If I turned around and married him, what would that make me? For the first time, I understood Ronan’s train of thought.
“No,” I said clearly. “I donotwant to marry Caelan, nor will I ever.”
My mother slammed her palm on the table, making everything rattle once again. “Nonsense! You don’t know what you want!”
“And you do?” I countered with a raised brow. “You’ve been my mother for only half of my life. You don’t know me.”
She scoffed, clearly offended. “I am your mother! Of course I know you!”
“Do you really? What’s my favorite food? How do I like my baths? What’s my favorite color? Do you know what my passions are—”
“All of that is irrelevant.” She waved me off. “I know what’s important, and that’s for you to enter into a proper marriage with someone at the same level as you. Not some riff-raff from the Grasslands.”
My brows shot up at the mention of Ronan. “I never said I wanted to marry anyone from the Grasslands.”
My mother laughed dryly and fixed me with a calculating glare. “As if we haven’t heard the rumors? Lyanna, we weren’t born yesterday. Please don’t insult our intelligence.”
So the rumors had spread, just as I predicted. Maybe itwas for the best. Eventually I would have to make my feelings known. Ronan and I couldn’t sneak around forever.
“So?” Marcellus shrugged. “So what if she wants to marry into the Grasslands? Ronan is a son of a Chief; he’s no riff-raff, as you say. This could be a good alliance—”
“Enough, Marcellus!” my father barked. “No one is marrying into the Grasslands.” He looked away nervously.
I frowned and worried if they were afraid of the prophecy. Sir Edric did mention that they knew about it because Chief Aryan contacted them to make a trade. It was one of the things Sir Edric feared the most – that eventually my parents would give in.
“Father,” I started, but he glared and cut me off.
“I’m sorry, Caelan, but if Lyanna does not agree to a marriage with you, I fear I won’t be able to either,” he said.
Marcel and I deflated in relief. I peered over at my brother, wondering when he’d become a fan of Ronan. The last time we were arguing in the Central Plains, I distinctly remembered him calling me a Crimson whore. Oh, how the tides had changed.
Caelan nodded. “I understand, Your Majesty. But I hope you won’t reject me so quickly and will give me time to court Lyanna in the hopes of changing her mind.”
“Hmm … I can agree with that,” my father said. “It’ll give you both some time to think things over.”
Just then, the servants entered the dining hall with our breakfast, quickly bustling to set the table as we waited in awkward silence. Once they left, the silence continued as we ate. I nibbled on a plate of eggs, wishing for a mooncake instead.
Marcellus leaned into me and whispered, “Are you really going to try with him?”
I snorted. “No way. But it’ll look bad if Father continuesrejecting him, so I guess he has to accept it for now,” I whispered back.
Marcellus shook his head. “This is crazy. After everything Caelan did to you, I can’t believe he has the nerve …”
I furrowed my brows at him. “Isn’t he your friend? Didn’t you use to hate me?”
He rolled his eyes. “Water under the bridge, sis. And of course I’m going to take your side over his.”
“You know what the Crimson Clan wants to do with me.” He nodded grimly. “Would you really be okay with me marrying into the Grasslands?”
He scoffed. “Of course not. The last thing I want is for you to be in their grasp. But …” he sighed. “I know how you feel about Ronan. It’s obvious to everyone. And I think he feels the same in return, which means he wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
I chuckled and covered my mouth when my mother looked over at me. “You’re quite trusting,” I said once she looked away.
“Don’t let my handsome face fool you,” Marcellus said. “If he were ever to sacrifice you as you said, I’d lay waste to the Grasslands without hesitation.”
I smiled at my brother. Our relationship now was decidedly different from just a few days ago when he thought I was the absolute worst. Now … I didn’t know what he thought of me, but at least it wasn’t hatred.
“What are you two whispering about over there?” my mother asked with a frown.
