The King turned to Ryia, who smiled softly before facing the crowd.
Her voice was beautiful and clear when she spoke. “We are pleased to introduce our son, Silas La’Rune, your Prince.”
The crowd boomed as Silas emerged, his jet-black hair neatly styled, the royal crown on top of his head. He wore a suit of armor, primarily black like his father’s, adorned with plate mail and a deep blue cape. The cheering was so loud I thought I might lose my hearing.
“You and me both,”Torrin groaned.
Get out of my head!
Torrin rolled his eyes as mine flickered back to Silas.
He was grinning widely. I knew he was looking for me as his eyes scanned the crowd, but with the thousands of people gathered and us so far back, there was no way he would spot me. The smile on his face was so radiant, and in that moment, I realized that while I was dreading this day, he had been dreaming of it—the day he would finally be free.
He stepped forward, and the crowd began to quiet in anticipation of his speech.
“Citizens of Otacia, it is an honor and privilege to be able to serve you.” His voice was strong, elegant, and sexy, like always. Around me, girls were gawking at the sight of him, and I had to refrain from glaring at all of them. “The loss of my sister Aria will forever be a scar inflicted upon our kingdom.” Voices quieted down further at the mention of the late Princess. “My time in the castle has been used to forge me into the best prince I can be—the bestleaderI can be, and I cannot wait to serve you as my parents have.”
There was more cheering, and I couldn’t help but join in. I hadn’t seen Silas present as a prince since the day I discovered who he was. And what a prince he was. He was everything and more than what I had imagined Silas La’Rune to be. I still couldn’t believe he was mine…that he wantedme.
For now, anyway.
I sighed and pushed away the thought.
“Now we enter a new era—one where Otacia is stronger than ever before. Where we have obtained more territories to strengthen our defenses, where trade has boosted our economies.” He spoke like a true prince—a true leader. He cleared his throat. “I know those in the Outer Ring still have not fully reaped the benefits of our kingdom’s success.”
At that comment, the King shot a glare at Silas from behind.
“But my promise to you, dear citizens of the Outer Ring,” he resumed, “is that conditions will improve, and you will flourish. I see it as one of my most important ambitions.” Those surrounding me, fellow Outer Ring citizens, erupted into a cheer, those of higher class merely clapping. The King shifted his glare from Silas to the crowd, and his frown remained. The Queen was grinning and applauding.
I hope Silas won’t get in trouble for that statement.
“Oh, I’m sure he will,”Torrin spoke in my mind.
I wanted to scream at him to get out of my head again, but his statement caught me off guard.
Will he hurt him?
“I’m not sure what goes down between the King and Prince, but I know their relationship isn’t exactly a loving one. I can’t imagine him going off script will go over well.”
That I did know. Silas had told me he and his father were never close, that just as his father expected him to treat him as the King, he treated Silas as the Prince. Father and son were secondary, if not even considered.
I swallowed and felt my stomach drop as the King stepped forward. Mercifully, his scowl had disappeared, replaced by his usual indifference. Ryia also began to trek along until all three were next to one another, Silas in the middle.
“Citizens of the Center, we look forward to seeing you at the castle’s celebration in honor of Silas's coming of age,” Ulric spoke, the excitement from the front of the crowd booming. Of course, only the wealthiest and most elite were invited.
“Thank you all for gathering here today. I look forward to serving you.” Silas beamed and bowed, and after immense applause, the three of them, followed by their guards, went back inside the castle.
The guards blocking off the Outer Ring began to usher us back, and we all began the descent to our homes.
I already knew about the celebratory ball from Silas, but I couldn’t help but feel sad I couldn’t go, even if the less attention, the better. It was another reminder that despite everything, this life with him I dreamed up was not a possibility.
I was outside our cottage, tending the garden in the early afternoon sun later that day, enjoying one of the last days of warmth before the autumn breeze had me snuggled up in much warmer clothes.
I wore a light blue dress Silas had bought me, simple enough not to draw too much attention but beautiful all the same. It stopped just below my knees, was tight around the waist and bust, and was held up by two thin straps. My hair was up in a ponytail to avoid having hair blowing in my face as I worked.
As I snipped herbs and placed them in my basket, I began to hear gasping. I wiped my forehead, looked toward the commotion, and my eyes widened when I saw Otacian soldiers headed down our road. I quickly stumbled, running to the front of my home and getting in the same kneeling position as those around me.
Sweat trailed down my forehead. I stared at the ground, the sound of hushed whispering and the clacking of horses’ hooves against the cobblestone audible.
