Untamable

Chapter 22 Chaos

Edward’s POV

The moment General George strides into the tent with his daughter, Augusta, I can practically feel the room shrink under the weight of tension.

Augusta’s eyes sparkle with defiance, her entire demeanor screaming rebellion. Despite the general’s subtle signals for her to mind her manners, her reluctance is plain to see.

In our world, marriage is less about romance and more of a chess move, a means to solidify alliances and power. Interestingly, the person most eager for me to marry Augusta isn’t her or me, but Noah.

I can already tell this meeting is going to be a walk in the park—if that park were on fire.

Prompted by a nudge from her father, Augusta finally graces us with a greeting, “Nice to meet you, Your Highness.” Her tone suggests anything but delight.

“Nice to meet you too,” I reply as politely as I can muster, gesturing to a seat as though it were a peace offering.

The air is thick with awkwardness. General George gently gestures to Augusta, urging her to make a self-introduction.

“What’s there to say? I’ve made more introductions to men than I can count,” she scoffs. “It's usually a colossal waste of time.”

“There’s always an exception,” the general suggests diplomatically.

It's hard to believe this is the same General George, who is fearless on the battlefield and as tough as nails. It seems like his daughter might just be his Achilles' heel. I bet he and Alpha Robin could have quite the chat about handling a headstrong daughter.

“So, let’s get on with it,” Augusta remarks, raising her chin. "I'd like to begin with the disaster that was my engagement to your brother," Augusta started, her tone as blunt as a sledgehammer.

"She really knows how to get under people's skin with just a few words," Noah leans over to me, whispering conspiratorially. "You think she got her fair share of discipline growing up?"

"If she had, she might not talk like that," I mutter.

"Touché," Noah nods with a smirk.

Suppressing a grin, I lean in a bit to signal my interest in whatever tale she’s about to spin. My posture seems to earn her favor, or at least reduces the daggers she’s mentally throwing my way.

“I’ve always admired strength,” Augusta asserts with her arms crossed like a defensive fortress. “I agreed to get engaged with Henry only because he had promised to take me horseback riding and hunting.” She pauses, grinding her teeth, “But your brother reneged on his promise the day after slipping the ring on my finger. He kept shoving me into those mind-numbingly etiquette classes. Utterly absurd!”

I nod understandingly. Henry is quite the traditionalist, always opting for elegance over adventure. Augusta’s brutal honesty is almost refreshing in a world where everyone’s busy plotting and scheming. At Father’s banquet, she showed clear disdain for the engagement, boldly refusing to hold Henry’s hand—a move impossible to ignore.

"I’m here purely out of respect for my father," Augusta warns, her voice dripping with a hint of a threat. "And because your letter was surprisingly sincere…”

My letter? Oh, that's right. I had Noah ghostwrite it. I shoot him a look of gratitude, and he shrugs, trying to look nonchalant as always.

"If you’re just like your brother and want to control me, I’d rather stay single," Augusta announces.

I rush to clarify, "I’m definitely not like Henry,” I assure her with all the sincerity I can muster. “I’m allergic to being tied down and wouldn’t dream of putting that on my partner. Freedom is kind of my thing."

Augusta seems to appreciate my little declaration of independence, her rigid stance softening slightly. Then she dives into her interests, “I’m into archery, sword fighting, combat, horseback riding. Reading is, frankly, the bane of my existence.”

Noah’s face twists into a slight frown.

Augusta, never missing a beat, catches his expression. “Got something to add, Prince Noah?”

Noah purses his lips, offering, “Nothing really, just that reading happens to be my favorite hobby.”

"Oh, you must be a real riot at parties," Augusta laughs, cutting deep without missing a beat.

My heart sinks – she's poked the bear now. Noah isn’t one to let an insult roll off easily.

"Better than being all brawn and no brains," Noah fires back. Why am I not surprised?

We sit in suspended animation for a moment, and then things go from zero to dramatic. Augusta unsheathes her sword, eyes blazing with fury. Her speed startles both General George and me.

"Who are you calling brainless?" Augusta points the sword at Noah.

“I meant whoever blows a fuse first,” Noah retorts smoothly. “I wasn’t naming names, was I?”

“Enough!” General George and I shout simultaneously.

He’s directing his command at his daughter, while I take charge of calming Noah.

As the general orders his daughter to put the weapon down, I step in to defuse the standoff.

“Let’s all take a deep breath,” I suggest, a forced smile stretching my face. “We’re here for alliance talks, not to reenact a battlefield—”

“She started it by drawing a sword,” Noah objects.

“Only after you called me brainless,” Augusta argues.

“You did call me a riot at the party first,” Noah counters.

Augusta's cheeks flush with anger, “You are one! All I did was tell the truth. Besides burying yourself in books like a worm, have you experienced life at all?”

"And what's so wrong with calling you brainless?” Noah challenges. “Aside from swinging around like a monkey in the jungle, what else can you do?”

Fantastic, they’re getting quite creative with their insults now.

At this rate, our alliance meeting seems more like a comedy of errors.

I rub my temples, trying to fend off the looming headache. I catch General George's equally awkward glance.

“Like kindergarteners, aren’t they?” the general mutters under his breath.

“I apologize for my brother offending your daughter,” I offer sincerely.

“Not at all,” the general quips, amused. He nods approvingly at Noah, “I’ve long hoped for a sharp-tongued lad to take my daughter down a peg. My men, unfortunately, aren’t quite as daring.”

I can’t help but chuckle under my breath. General George admits, “I’ve coddled my daughter a bit too much. If she’s caused you or Prince Noah any offense, I’m sorry.”

“Not at all,” I shake my head, grinning. “Honestly, I’ve hoped for someone to knock my brother down a peg too. Your daughter did an excellent job.”

We share a conspiratorial smile and discreet handshake when Augusta and Noah aren’t looking.

“So, do you still want to marry my daughter, Edward?” General George asks.

“In this scenario, marrying her might make me lose my brilliant strategist,” I say, glancing at Noah. “But not doing so might lose your support…”

“Not necessarily,” General George muses, his eyes flicking to Noah. “Perhaps he could marry my daughter.”

Both Augusta and Noah halt their quarreling to stare at the general in shock.

“Father!” Augusta exclaims in disbelief.

"No way!” Noah jumps in, utterly exasperated. “That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!" He turns to Augusta, adding with a flourish, "I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last female wolf on earth."

“And I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last male wolf,” Augusta fires back, before swinging to face her father. “Let’s go, Father! Another second here and I might lose my mind—”

Just as she stands up in a huff to storm out, Anna enters the tent, effectively stopping her in her tracks.

“What is it?” Noah asks, his voice softening, which earns him a suspicious glance from Augusta.

"A rogue messenger requests to see you," Anna says to me.

General George's expression changes on a dime. "We don't negotiate with rogues. Get rid of him," he orders coolly.

"But... the messenger is a woman," Anna adds hesitantly.

The general shrugs, "So what? Get rid of her."

"Hold on," Augusta and Noah chime in together.

"What brilliant idea do you have now?" the general asks, raising an eyebrow at them.

Augusta shoots Noah a glance, who nods towards her. "Ladies first," he says smoothly.

Clearing her throat, Augusta starts, "Father, female warriors are rare—I’d like to meet her."

"Pointless. I know you admire women warriors, but she's a rogue," General George dismisses her outright.

"Alright," Augusta mutters, barely audible.

"What’s your insight, Prince Noah?” General George continues, "And if you’re going to harp on about sparing women and children, save it. Rogues should be punished regardless of age or gender, right?"

“I agree,” Noah nods, then adds, “But we could gather some intelligence first before jumping the gun. A little recon never hurt anyone.”

“Fine,” General George concedes after a moment of consideration.

“General George,” Noah suggests, “Could you step out for a bit and let my brother handle this?”

“Why exactly are you so eager to be alone with the messenger?” Augusta challenges, eyebrow arched. “Are you trying to cozy up with the rogues?”

“Absolutely not,” I cut in, trying to stave off further drama.

“Then why keep it under wraps?” Augusta pushes.

“It’s called diplomatic protocol,” Noah retorts, “Read a book sometime! The emissary came to see my brother, not you.”

“Don’t bother me with protocol. All those books have stiffened you up.” Augusta rolls her eyes. “Your secret-keeping reeks of guilt. Once I get back to the White City, I’ll make sure His Majesty hears about this little secretive meeting.”

Noah narrows his eyes, “If you want to be our watchdog, we don’t mind if you stay. In fact,” he adds with a sly grin, “perhaps you could personally execute the female warrior to prove your loyalty to His Majesty. What do you say, Lady Augusta?”

I can’t quite gauge Augusta’s reaction, but I have a hunch Noah might be in for a close shave if she reaches for her sword again.

I clear my throat and nod to Anna, who quickly exits to retrieve the rogue.

As the messenger steps in, every eye in the room, mine very much included, snaps in her direction.

And just like that, my headache kicks it up a notch.

Oh no, Elizabeth.

You picked a fabulous time to show up, didn't you?

Perfect, another layer of chaos to this circus, just what I need.