The Princess's Dangerous Betrothal

Chapter 16

Eiley grumbled and pulled her shall tighter around her shoulders. She felt that the fact that she was here at all was truly ridiculous, but was equally aware that it’s unlikely she would have been successful in avoiding it. She sat on a stone bench in the gardens and scowled at her feet, waiting.

This was to be a court approved proper outing. Both her and Warren’s families agreed it was a necessary part of the courtship process. But Eiley didn’t want to be there, and Warren was late.

Eiley closed her eyes for a moment, but quickly reopened them, worried she might doze off if she gave herself the opportunity. She reached into her pocket, wishing, once again, that she’d been given a pocket clock like one of the many Ronan had received over the years.

She stood up, muttering under her breath, and stalked back towards the castle, only to crash into Warren’s chest when she turned the corner around a hedge.

“Finally!” she sputtered, trying to hide her unbalance in irritation.

Warren caught her in his arms, but carefully held her away from his body. “I apologize for my late arrival.” As soon as she was steady again, he dropped his arms from her side and took two steps back. “I had news from the front that I needed to address immediately. I hope that we can still take our walk?”

“I’m here aren’t I?”

Warren looked extremely taken aback at this, and Eiley’s scowl softened slightly.

“I wasn’t drunk. Last night I mean.”

Warren cleared his throat and motioned for Eiley to join him on the path. After they had walked a few yards, he said, “I don’t need explanations as to your private pastimes.”

“I…I don’t mean to defend myself, I only want you to know the truth of it.”

“Princess, I don’t care what you do in your free time. I care that you are capable of keeping it discrete once we have returned to Reslandia.”

Eiley frowned. “What makes you so sure we’ll reside in Reslandia?”

Warren sighed heavily. “I am the crown prince of my Kingdom. Our main residence will obviously be the Reslandian court.”

“What if I don’t agree?”

For a moment, Warren was stunned into silence. Then he stepped in front of her and took her hands. “I know that this might not be either of our first choice.” His focus was entirely on their clasped hands, as if he were unable to meet her eyes. “I hope that you will find a way to be happy in this marriage of convenience.”

At this, he looked up and met her eyes, and she was shocked by the sadness there.

She yanked her hands away and blurted out, “We don’t have to get married, you know!”

Warren looked at her bewildered. "What are you talking about? Of course we do."

"Literally no one is making us. We can say no. If we both do, they can't force it."

Warren considers her for a moment, then says, "But it was already decided that this would be in the best interest of both of our kingdoms. Why would I go back on that now?"

Eiley threw up her hands. "I don't know. Maybe it's not what you want?"

"I don't see that that matters."

"What do you want, Warren? Do you even know?"

"I..."

Eiley rolled her eyes, but her expression softened. She sighed and hesitated before finally saying, "Will you come with me? I want to show you something."

She didn't wait for his response, she just wandered deeper into the garden, assuming he would follow.