"I have council meetings I cannot afford to be absent from, my Queen," he explained. "I still have dignitaries in the castle waiting to meet with us, and you have duties you would get right into."
Jasmine deflated in her seat. Neera's sympathy extended to her, but just as she cared about the Queen, she could not deny the tinge of happiness that erupted in her, knowing that Zavian won't be leaving with Jasmine.
Jasmine did deserve the newlywed bliss of shared secret smiles sent from across the room, sweet kisses stolen when no one was looking, and, a husband who actually loved her, but Neera had learned a lot earlier in life that there were prizes you paid for some positions you wanted.
Not that Jasmine deserved it, but life does have a way of handing out its unfairness to even the most undeserving of people.
