One sentence. That was all it took. The confidence in his gaze crumbled to pieces.
"What?" Rylan's voice cracked. "You cannot mean-"
"I do," I firmly replied, sucking in a wavering breath. "I am asking this as the daughter of the ducal House Rhosyn."
"Surely, you do not mean.. I cannot-"
"I am begging, Your Majesty," I interrupted, using all of the self-control I could muster to keep my emotions at bay, "annul our engagement and.. and let me go."
We stood in silence. Both of us were breathing heavily, the ferocity of our argument taking its toll on us. I could hardly refrain from turning away from Rylan. His jaw was slack, and he stared at me. My chest tightened as I saw the tears shimmering in his eyes. This had been too cruel, even for me. The new king had just lost h
