Page 6
It takes a few moments, but eventually the chatter around the table returns and we all speak of more appropriate things. Like how we’re learning variations from the Sleeping Beauty ballet in our dance lessons and how Dahlia has made plans to sail across the realm with her husband.
Father didn’t initially approve of Dahlia’s marriage, but after many heated conversations with her husband he seems to have changed his mind. I think the chests full of gold Lord Tauren sent helped too. That, and the new fleet of golden carriages he bought for Father.
“They’re going to Ilzabard, Papa!” Kalimeris beams. “I can’t wait to hear about their adventures.”
“Yes, of course,” he says dismissively, looking up from his bowl. “Eden?”
I drop my toast as the table falls silent. “Yes, Father?”
“I have been communicating with a gentleman you may remember from the ball. A Prince Lux, if you recall?”
Heather squeals excitedly before Gilia slaps a hand over her mouth.
“I… I do, Father.” My body shakes.
“When he wrote to me asking for permission to court you officially, I asked for him to come here, like suitors normally do.” Father sips from his goblet. “However, he was quite insistent that you should visit him instead, in his manor a few miles from here.”
Whispers buzz around the table, followed by the occasional hushed giggle, while I can barely breathe.
“I’ll admit it took a little convincing from him.” Father’s lips thin. “But I’ve decided that you will visit this manor and spend the next month with the prince and his family.”
I almost choke on my grin. “Oh Father! Thank you!”
“You will not be going alone,” he adds. “I will be sending you with my most trusted guard as your chaperone.”
He could be sending me with a five-headed monster and I wouldn’t care. Happy tears blur my vision. My heart feels like a bouquet of blooming roses.
“Father.” Blossom’s tone cuts the flowers from their stems. “Is it wise to send Eden with just one guard to protect her? How can we trust that nothing bad will happen to her there?”
“Lux will keep me safe,” I snap.
“A prince you just met will keep you safe?” Blossom deadpans. “Really, Eden?”
“I want to go!”
“Girls, please.” Father raises his palm. “Phillion has daughters of his own.”
“If having daughters was all it took to stop wicked men from harming women, this world would be a much nicer place,” Blossom counters. “She will not be safe there, Father. I won’t let you send her away.”
“Blossom, please.” I grip the table.
“It sounds like Eden wants to go,” Father says.
“Eden doesn’t understand how dangerous men can be!”
I glare at Blossom. I’m not a child and haven’t been for many years. “Prince Orion hurt Amaryllis in this palace only a few rooms away from where we’re sitting now,” I remind her. “I’m no safer here than I would be there.”
Blossom’s eyes narrow. “You don’t know this Prince Lux. You barely spoke to him at the ball.”
“We’ve been communicating through letters for weeks!” I snarl.
“That doesn’t change the fact that you’ve only met once.”
Father’s voice cuts through us both. “Enough of this arguing. Eden will leave for Prince Lux’s manor tomorrow. It is her wish, after all.” He nods at me before turning to Blossom. “I am still your king, Blossom. Remember that. You do not have my crown yet.”
The glare she gives him is lethal. Amaryllis was a good older sister, but Blossom will be a good queen. If she can look past her hatred of princes, that is.
Once breakfast finishes, we all file out of the room after Father. But before I can head towards my bedchamber, Blossom grabs my arm.
