Brando answered almost without thinking, "Go ahead."
Solenne had clearly chewed over her words and wrestled with her decision for ages before she spoke, her voice soft and slow, "My grandfather only pushed so hard for this arranged marriage because he had no other choice. If not for this royal betrothal, I'd have to spend the rest of my life shut away in a convent, all alone until I drew my last breath.
"Please don't hold it against him, Your Grace. After tonight, we can both get what we need out of this arrangement and stay out of each other's way."
Brando snapped his head up to look at her. Those cool, clear eyes of hers held not a single spark of affection, nothing but utter detachment and distance.
A sharp, stabbing pain ripped through his chest out of nowhere.
He'd brought this
