That isn’t true, but what else did I expect?
“Impressive,” muses the king. “You couldn’t pay me enough money to work on a farm here in the valley, let alone on the side of a mountain.”
“Thank you, Sire. That is kind of you to say.”
The queen’s eyes narrow on her husband before her head swings back toward me. “What do you think of my son, Kerris Dawn?”
I think he is a liar.“Ronan has made me feel quite welcome in the city, and for that, I am truly in his debt.”
“I see. And do you plan on marrying him for his money or his throne?”
Ronan’s fingers dig into my palm, his jaw pulsing as he returns the queen’s glower. “Mother…”
“What?” The queen shrugs her slender shoulders. “It’s a simple question, is it not? The daughter of a goat farmer. Honestly, Ronan. It’s obvious the woman is only interested in what you can provide for her.”
The king sits up straighter, a flush creeping up his jaw. “That is quite enough, Majella.”
I don’t care that this woman is the queen of our kingdom. I have done nothing wrong, and she does not get to treat me like dirt simply because she believes I am some money-chasing fae with a thirst for power.
“To be honest, I see his crown as a barrier to a future together.” And I want nothing to do with it. “But to answer your question, if your son and I were to marry, it would be for neither his money nor his throne. It would be because I care for him and feel the two of us would make each other happy. That we make each other laugh.”
“A princess who laughs,” the queen scoffs. “Just what this castle needs.”
The king offers me the first genuine smile I’ve seen since I stepped into this room. “I believe you’re right. That is exactly what this castle needs.”
Ronan’s cheeks are as red as cherry pie filling, and I imagine mine probably match. If I had to live my eternity with this wretched woman looking over my shoulders, commenting on everything I said or did, I’d lose my mind.
No wonder Ronan built his own house. I wouldn’t want to live under her thumb either.
Finally, Ronan finds his words, asking his father for permission to show me the private gardens.
The king inclines his head. “Of course. Kerris, it was truly a pleasure to meet you. I do hope we will be seeing more of you here at the castle.”
While I appreciate the sentiment, I won’t be seeing either of them ever again. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” I bob a final curtsy, turn on my heel, and leave without another word.
Good riddance to this throne room.
Good riddance to this castle and everyone in it.
“Kerris? Kerris, wait up!”
I halt in the middle of the hallway.
Ronan skids to a halt, clutching the jeweled dagger swinging at his hip. “That was a disaster. Did you forget what I said about your father?”
Gone are the stars that have filled my eyes since I first arrived in Rosehill. This man may be a prince, but he is also a liar who would rather belittle me than build me up. I only hate that I wasted the last few weeks on him.
That ends today.
“Unlike you, I refuse to lie about who I really am.” He can find someone whose lineage won’t disgrace the crown and leave me to search for a husband whose family doesn’t despise me on principle alone.
“I never lied?—”
“Iknowthe silver flowers didn’t come from you.”
He swipes his palms down his thighs, peering at me from beneath his lashes as a trickle of sweat races down his temple. “You’re right. They didn’t. When I saw them, I got so jealous that I lied. I’m sorry, Kerris, but you must understand that I’m not used to sharing a woman’s affections.”
This has nothing to do with sharing my affections.