Chapter 6 Uprooted
I blushed when I realized I was staring at Henry and cleared my throat. “Coming!”
Henry grinned. I sat between King Austin and Princess Amina. Prince Henry sat across from me.
“Hello, King Joseph,” my father greeted. “It’s been a while.”
“It has.” The man with short auburn hair grinned.
That smile looks… fake?
My lips pursed, I kept my comment to myself. I looked between the Barrens. King Joseph, Queen Alessia, and… I glanced at Henry. The prince took a sip of his tea, eyes fixed on me, and I quickly looked away.
Gods help me.
“So I’ve heard you’ve recently hit adulthood,” Queen Alessia said, her dark brown eyes narrowed, looking me up and down. “Are you sure you’re ready for marriage? You do know what responsibilities come with that, don’t you?”
“Princess Liliana is more than ready to become a wife, and a queen,” Mother quipped, her vibrant blue eyes glaring daggers at Alessia. “The best queen in Embercrest… and obviously Drakeveil too.”
Alessia’s scarlet lip curled as she glared back. Joseph stroked his beard while Austin sipped his tea, looking away—both husbands pretending to be oblivious to the building tension.
Uh oh. Mother is getting angry again.
I cleared my throat and spoke up, my voice having a strong and demanding tone I didn’t use often. “I am honored to not only be Prince Henry’s wife and mother of his child, but to be the bridge between Embercrest and Drakeveil.”
Joseph’s eyes lit up.
This man came for business.
“When I become queen, I will secure a safe route between Embercrest and Drakeveil for traveling merchants. Exchanging goods would be a boon for both kingdoms. Drakeveil desires resources that only Embercrest has, and vice versa. We could benefit from each other. The Embercrest knighthood is strong, and they’ll protect the route from bandits,” I said, chin high.
“Well, now,” King Joseph chuckled. “You’re ambitious. I like that. I agree with Queen Victoria. This little lady will leave her mark on the world.”
Alessia frowned and looked away, sipping her drink.
Now that the tension had died, my parents and Henry’s talked about business, then relaxed with stories of the old days and so on. Amina and Henry would chime in something, but I kept quiet for the rest of the dinner.
Where did she go?
I walked around the main hall after dinner was over, looking for Maribel. I frowned with a sigh.
I guess she retired early.
“Princess.”
I turned around as Henry approached me. His smile was soft as he said, “Want to take a walk?”
“Oh, um…” I glanced around. Amina and my parents likely went to their rooms too. A smile crept onto my face. “Sure. Let’s go to the garden.”
“Sounds perfect.”
I led him through the palace and out to the royal garden. Hedges bordered the outside, and bushes with many kinds of flowers lined the dirt path. The familiar sound of trickling water came from a massive fountain with an angel on top. The dazzling stars and full moon provided silver light. I shivered as the wind bit my skin through my dress.
Henry stepped closer and wrapped his arm around me, sharing his warmth.
“Thank you," I said, cheeks burning.
“There are a lot of white roses,” Henry commented, looking at all the flowers.
“They were planted when I was born.”
“So, a celebration?”
“Yeah…” I said self-consciously, tucking my platinum blonde hair behind my ear.
“You look beautiful under this moonlight,” he murmured.
My eyes stayed fixed on the ground.
He grimaced and looked away. “Sorry, bad habits die hard.”
“Huh?”
“What I meant to say is that… you’re a remarkable woman, and I’m honored to have you as my wife,” he murmured. “I’m… far from perfect. Don’t tell anyone, but my mother still slaps me on the side of the head when I mess up.” He gave a half-smile. “I’d like to think that being with you will make others stop looking at me as someone who takes their role for granted.”
My eyes went wide, but then I snorted. “Sorry—” I covered my mouth. It felt like a breath of fresh air, knowing that my fiancé was just as much of a black lamb as I was. “I have my faults too, My Prince. You’re very sweet. Thank you,” I murmured, leaning closer and kissing his cheek.
Henry stopped to face me. The fire in his eyes during dinner and softened to an ember as he placed his hands on my hips. My heart pounded as he leaned closer, breath quivering. His big hands held me firmly in place.
Is this what they call butterflies in your chest?
The excited thump in my chest dropped into anxiety and I turned my head away when his lips brushed mine.
“S—sorry, I…”
Henry released me, rubbing the back of his neck with an awkward chuckle. “Don’t apologize. I moved too fast.” We stood in silence before he cleared his throat. “Do you want to head back? It’s getting nippy out here.”
“I think I’ll walk for a little longer."
“Alright.” He smiled. “I’ll wait for you by the fireplace. We can get to know each other better.”
“I’d like that.” I returned the smile, genuine this time.
Once gone, my shoulders sagged as I released my held breath.
Get to know each other better??
Everybody was asleep. It’d just be the two of us. I covered my face as it flushed hot, and I groaned into my hands.
Well… he doesn’t seem like a bad guy…
With a deep sigh, I continued my walk, hoping that the chilly air would cool me down.
The crunch of grass freeze me in my tracks. I looked around, but couldn’t see anything between the darkness and tall bushes decorated with plump flowers.
Was that the stray again?
Glancing around, I whistled. “Here, kitty, kitty.” I jumped when a hand gripped my shoulder. “Henry? HRK—!!”
An iron taste flooded my mouth and dripped down my chin, clogging my airway as I coughed up scarlet flecks.
The agonizing, searing pain in my chest stole my breath. I looked down. An iron sword pierced through my chest, stabbed from behind. Blood soaked my ivory and gold dress, drenching my stomach and flowing down my dress.
I silently screamed when the sword was ripped out, and a boot kicked me to the ground. My blood splattered on the garden’s white roses.
I’m so cold.
I struggled to sit up off the dirt path, but my body wouldn’t move. Blood poured from the hole in my chest, and formed a scarlet pool around me. I barely had enough strength to move my platinum blonde hair out of my face.
My attacker was shrouded in a black cloak, their face veiled in shadow. I couldn’t even tell the gender. The full moon glowed behind their head. They lifted their bloodied sword high; it reflected in my dilated eyes.
I lifted my hand but choked on my blood, unable to utter a word.
It’s a nightmare—this is just another nightmare! Wake up! Wake up! WAKE UP!
They swung it down, and I shut my eyes tight.