Married to my enemy

Lina’s pov The first thing I learned about being hated was that people rarely had the courage to say it to your face. They preferred whispers. “Poor Prince Megan.” I heard the words behind me and lifted my wineglass. “Imagine being married to her.” A quiet laugh followed. Three years ago, those words would have broken my heart. Tonight, I was simply tired. Not tonight. Across the ballroom, beneath crystal chandeliers, my husband stood beside Elena. Of course he did. Elena wore white. She always wore white. The color made her look innocent and pure. Her golden hair fell over her shoulders as she smiled at the nobles surrounding her. Megan stood beside her, listening. Watching. Smiling. I had once believed he might look at me that way. I had been a fool. “Your Highness?” “Prince Megan requests your presence.” As I crossed the ballroom, whispers followed me. I kept my head high. “Your Highness,” I said when I reached Megan. “Must you always speak to me so formally?” “Would you prefer something else?” Before he answered, Elena touched his arm. “Princess Lina, you look beautiful tonight.” “So do you.” Her smile tightened for half a heartbeat. There you are. No one else noticed the cracks in her mask. “Elena was telling me about the orphanage,” Megan said. “How wonderful.” “She donated nearly all of her allowance to the children.” Elena lowered her eyes. “It was nothing. I couldn’t bear to have so much when there are children suffering.” I nearly laughed. Her money came from the royal treasury—the same treasury I had spent weeks trying to protect. Megan studied me. “You could learn something from her.” Then Elena sighed. “Megan, don’t speak to Lina that way.” How noble. She could wound me, then pretend to protect me. “If that is all, I should return to my seat.” Megan caught my wrist. “There’s something else.” “Then say it.” He released me. “Elena came to me yesterday. She said you threatened her.” Then I laughed. “I did what?” “Don’t pretend you don’t know.” “I wasn’t even at the palace yesterday.” Megan’s jaw tightened. “Are you calling her a liar?” Of course. Not where were you? Not what happened? I looked at Elena. Tears immediately filled her eyes. “Megan,” she whispered, “maybe I misunderstood. I shouldn’t have said anything.” “Ask me where I was,” I said. “What?” “Yesterday. Ask me where I was.” Silence stretched between us. He didn’t ask. Something inside me went quiet. “You already believe her.” “Lina—” “No. You came here ready to accuse me. Why bother asking for the truth?” “You’ve never liked Elena.” “I don’t like being lied about.” His eyes flashed. “Watch your words.” The nobles were watching, waiting for the villain to reveal herself. “You’ve already decided what I am,” I said. “A jealous wife. A cruel princess. A villain.” “So believe whatever makes you happy.” I turned away. Then Elena arrived. “You should have defended yourself.” “Would it have mattered?” “You’ve changed.” “Have I?” “You used to fight.” “Yes,” I said softly. “And look where it got me.” Her smile disappeared. “You should leave.” I turned toward her. “Leave Megan. Leave the palace.” “And let you have everything?” Her eyes hardened. “I don’t need to destroy you, Lina. Everyone else has already done it for me.” The words struck deep. “What do you want?” She looked toward the ballroom. “Everything.” Megan’s love. The throne. The kingdom. I smiled. “You’ve made one mistake.” Elena raised an eyebrow. “And what is that?” “You thought I was afraid of being the villain.” The doors opened behind us. “Lina!” Elena’s expression changed instantly. Tears filled her eyes. Megan appeared, his gaze moving from her tears to me. He had already chosen who to believe. Again. For once, I didn’t explain myself. I was tired of begging to be understood by people who had decided not to understand me. I walked past him. “Lina, what happened?” I looked into his eyes. “Nothing.” As I returned to the ballroom, the whispers began again. Villain. Cruel. Heartless. This time, I didn’t flinch. If they had already written me into their story as the villain, then perhaps it was time I stopped trying to be their heroine.