would do next, while soft murmuring broke out amongst themselves. The court was speculating on what Nicholas’ next move
would be. Was he really to marryme? What was so special about me? What were they to gain from this odd arrangement?
What bargain did Nicholas make? Standing, he raised his glass, and the room fell silent.
“Thank you all for coming here at such short notice. As I stated earlier, Princess Ornella has agreed to marry me in
exchange for helping her with something important. And as customary to our laws, once a deal is made and sealed with a kiss,
it cannot be unbroken. In fact the only way is death.”
“Wait, what?” I uttered lowering my glass, this was news to me.
“Yes, my dear, in agreeing to and sealing my offer of marriage, and in exchange for helping you, our lives became bound
together as one. If one of us dies, so does the other, we are bound together for life.”
My heartbeat loudly in my chest as panic took over, is that why he kissed me as quickly as he did? Before Mother managed
to intervene and stop us? Did she know what was happening and how foolish I was being? Nicholas looked almost smug as I
put the pieces together.
I wanted to throw my drink over him for just having that look on his face. My face flushed red and hot, annoyed and angry at
myself for being so stupid and rash. I was foolish for not knowing what I was getting myself into.
He'd already mentioned how he wanted me. How he had ideas for what to do with me. Then the accident with Norok
happened. My mind raced with all the possibilities of it being planned, even if he said it was a simple accident as he wanted to
win. Did he want to win something else?
It clicked then. He mind controlled Kathlyn to leave us alone on the balcony earlier. Did he do that same trick to Norok so
he would forfeit the match?
“I have set the date for four weeks’ time, in that time Princess Ornella will learn more of our city, our culture and our
history. My sisters, April, Vanessa, and Morgana will help guide her.”
April? My eyes widened as I looked down at the table and saw three women stand up. Vanessa, one I had not met before
whom I guessed to be Morgana and April, my maid, who clearly was not a maid.
The family clearly liked to use illusions and lie about who they really were. What else were they lying about?
Morgana, I presumed, raised her glass and smiled softly at me. Her blonde hair cut short, just below her ears and she wore
a more concealing dress in violet. April stood next to her in blue. Vanessa stood on the end, lowering her eyes from both her
brother and me.
“Welcome, princess, we are lucky to have you here with us. I am sure we will become great friends,” Morgana spoke
politely and strongly. While I had no reason to believe her—I did. With her kind words, everyone else raised their glasses and
said welcome together.