The king shook his head. “No. Any witch can learn the ways of royalty. But you. You were the only witch in the kingdom my son could not possibly fall in love with.”
I ignored how the thought of Bennett in love with me made my heart leap.
“Your Majesty, that can’t—”
“Don’t try to convince me otherwise, Narcissa. I’ve seen how he looks at you. After what happened last summer I didn’t think it was possible. Bennett was wary of you, but he was willing to do what I thought was best. Olderea needed a peaceful marriage. A union between two individuals without hatred or passion. I was sure you two would be able to achieve that.”
I swallowed, my throat tight. “Why?”
“A marriage with malice will lead the people to suspect that witches are accepted on the surface as hatred boils beneath. A marriage with love will suggest the crown prince is influenced by his feelings instead of what is right for the kingdom. Or worse, that the bride is controlling him with magic.”
“People will think what they like regardless of reality,” I said, recalling Sister Scarlett’s past articles. “The press writes whatever they deem interesting.”
King Maximus stood from his seat, turning to the window. “It’s not only about what the people believe. It’s also about what I believe.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “I overestimated Bennett’s passivity. He has changed since Delibera. He’s loud, erratic. He doesn’t think when he acts when it comes to you.”
I almost laughed. None of those words described the soft-spoken crown prince who dedicated himself to his kingdom. “I beg to differ.”
“He acquired a cat in the middle of the tour for you, Narcissa.”
Pippin? I thought back to his abrupt appearance in Coriva. It had been the day Isabelle and Lady Huntington forbade me from bringing Misty to the dining room. The next morning Bennett had brought Pippin. Was that for my sake?
Why had he done that when he still wouldn’t speak to me? Wouldn’t dance with me at the Huntington Abbey ball? My face heated when I recalled his silence, his awkwardness. Was it because he didn’t know how to act around me?
“Not only that,” King Maximus said, his wide shoulders stiffening, “Bennett has never defied me before. Not once.”
“I wouldn’t call a difference of opinion defiance.”
“You and your mother had a difference of opinion. Look where she is.”
My stomach soured at the mention of Mother.
“That’s different,” I said quietly. “He still wants the best for Olderea, as you do. I never persuaded him otherwise.”
“I want to believe you.” King Maximus gazed out at the dreary landscape. “But I think it is best if you do not see him for a while.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Bennett is to become king. A king cannot be influenced by his emotions or by anyone. Not even his wife.”
I clenched my fists. “But Your Majesty, didn’t you let witches back into the kingdom at Queen Cordelia’s request?”
“Yes. And look how that turned out.” He turned, his lips flattening into a grim line. “Love is a dangerous thing, Narcissa. It addles the mind. Intoxicates the soul until you’re no longer in control. Your mother should know that.”
“She’s a monster.”
King Maximus shook his head. “She wasn’t, once.”
“Are you breaking off the engagement, Your Majesty?”
He sighed heavily. “After all this publicity? No, not at this moment. But Bennett needs distance from you. The wedding will be postponed for another year. You will not see him until then. Still, perhaps once we enforce more policies regarding magic, there will no longer be a need for the union. You know how the press is. They’ll forget.”
My throat tightened.
Every ounce of effort I exerted to be the perfect crown princess was for naught. Even when I tried I was not enough. Not cruel enough for Mother. Not suitable for King Maximus’s vision—so much so that he wanted to rid his son of me. What purpose did I have now?
And Bennett. I would not see him for a year. If things went as the king planned, he would no longer be in love with me by the end of it.
“I see,” I whispered hoarsely.
