"Mother, this is madness," Eva protested animatedly.
Lady Celeste looked around, noticing the looks they were getting from the other party-goers. "You will not make a scene here," she said, her voice a low growl as she grabbed her daughter by the arm and dragged her from the ballroom. Her grip was like iron as she led Eva into an antechamber off of the ballroom. Once inside, Lady Celeste turned on her daughter, her face a mask of fury. "Do you wish to shame your family in front of the entire court?" she demanded, her voice rising. "Do you know what is at stake here?"
"Of course I do," Eva said, her voice quivering. "But I will not be sold like a piece of chattel to some man I have never met, and neither should you allow it. Father—"
"Your father has no say in this," Lady Celeste snapped. "He is a weak man who would not dare defy the king. You, however, have always been a willful and disobedient girl. I will not allow your foolishness to ruin our family's reputation."
"And what about my reputation?" Eva shot back. "What will people say when they learn that I have been forced into a marriage with a man I do not love? That I have been traded like a piece of property?"
"Oh, please, Evangeline. You cannot possibly be that naive. Marriages among nobility are rarely about love. Your feelings on the matter are irrelevant." Lady Celeste sighed deeply before turning her back to Eva. "Now, we are returning to the party, and you will behave. Do you understand me?"
Eva clenched her fists, feeling the anger and frustration bubbling up inside her. But she knew her mother was right, at least on this point. In the middle of a crowded ballroom, defying her now would do nothing but disgrace her family. And as much as she hated to admit it, she did care about her family's name and legacy. So, with great effort, she unclenched her fists and took a deep, steadying breath.
"Yes, Mother. I understand," she said through gritted teeth.
Lady Celeste turned to face her once again, her eyes cold. "Good. Because if you do anything to jeopardize this marriage, I will disinherit you. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Mother. I will behave."
"See that you do." And with that, Lady Celeste swept out of the room, her skirts rustling behind her.
Reluctantly, Eva followed her back into the ballroom. She plastered a fake smile onto her face, nodding politely at the nobles and diplomats who had gathered to witness the betrothal of the Crown Prince and the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Lysoria. She felt a hand on her arm and turned to see her younger sister, Isolde, looking up at her with concerned blue eyes. "Are you alright, sister?" she asked quietly.
Eva's smile faltered slightly, but she forced it back into place. "I'm fine, Izzy. Just...dreading the future."
"Mother is quite excited about the prospect of being the queen mother one day," Isolde remarked wryly. "She's already planning your wedding down to the tiniest detail."
"Oh, joy," Eva muttered under her breath.
Isolde squeezed Eva's arm gently. "Don't worry, sister. I'm sure everything will work out in the end."
Eva wished she could believe that. But now, her life felt like a cage of expectations, and she saw no way out. "I hope you're right, Izzy," she whispered. "I truly do."
Suddenly, their attention was grabbed by the clinking of a champagne glass. The crowd fell into a hush, and all eyes turned to King Dorian, who stood at the head of the room, flanked by his retinue. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, thank you for joining us on this momentous occasion," the king began, his deep voice reverberating through the ballroom. "We are here tonight to celebrate a historic union that will shape our great nation's future and solidify our position among the realms."
Eva felt her stomach drop. This was it. The moment she had been dreading.
"It is my great pleasure to announce the betrothal of my son, Crown Prince Kael, to Lady Evangeline of the esteemed House of Callenwood." The room erupted into cheers and applause, the sound deafening in Eva's ears. She forced a smile onto her face, trying to ignore the feeling of her heart sinking.
Beside her, her mother beamed with pride, her hand tightening around Eva's arm. "Smile, darling," Lady Celeste hissed under her breath. "You're about to become the future queen."
Quickly, she was guided up the steps to where the king and Kael stood. Eva curtsied in front of them mechanically. "Your Majesty, Your Highness," she said through gritted teeth, barely keeping her voice even. King Dorian smiled at her and inclined his head slightly.
Kael stepped forward and took her hand, raising it to his lips. Wrenching her hand away, she wiped it on her dress. The look she gave him was scalding, daring him to say something. "May I present Crown Prince Kael of Lysoria and his betrothed, Lady Evangeline of the esteemed House of Callenwood," the king announced. The crowd erupted into applause once again.
The newly betrothed couple looked at one another, each sizing the other up. Before she could retreat into her thoughts, King Dorian approached with Lady Celeste in tow, his imposing frame making her straighten involuntarily. "Lady Evangeline," he began, his deep voice smooth but firm, "a word, if you please." Eva's green eyes flicked to her mother, who gave her a curt nod.
Dutifully, she followed them into a quieter corner of the ballroom. The hum of the crowd dulled as King Dorian turned to her once again. "You made quite the impression tonight," he said, his words deceptively neutral.
"Your Majesty, if I've done anything to offend—"
The king raised a hand, silencing her. "Offense is not the issue. Perception is. This union is not just about the two of you; it is a symbol of unity and strength. Your outburst, while subtle, was noted. Such displays must cease."
Lady Celeste's lips tightened, her gaze boring into Eva. "Your Majesty is, as always, correct. My daughter will adapt to her role."
"I'm certain she will. Crown Prince Kael has many responsibilities. Do not add to his burdens with petulance."
She felt a sudden rush of blood to her cheeks. Of all the pompous, arrogant things to say! As if she were a child in need of scolding. Eva bit back a retort, her nails digging into her palm. "Of course, Your Majesty." Satisfied, King Dorian nodded and returned to the party, leaving Eva and her mother in tense silence.
"Do you see now?" Lady Celeste hissed. "This is bigger than you. I suggest you start acting like it."
Eva's temper flared, but she swallowed her words, plastering a strained smile on her face as she returned to Kael's side for the remainder of the festivities. Kael glanced at her as she approached and offered his arm, which she took with a barely concealed sigh. "Finished conspiring with my father?" he asked under his breath.
Quashing the urge to snap at him, Eva merely smiled. "Conspiring? Hardly. He simply reminded me of my duty. I'm sure you can relate."
"So you're finally embracing your role?"
"Oh, I'm embracing it," Eva replied snarkily. "Just as you're embracing your endless accolades and medals. How many did you pin on tonight, by the way? Three? Four?"
Kael's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "At least I earned mine. Tell me, Lady Callenwood, what exactly have you accomplished besides sharpening your wit?"
Eva laughed lightly, the sound bright enough to fool nearby guests into thinking their conversation was pleasant. "Oh, I've mastered the fine art of tolerating insufferable company. It seems that skill will serve me well."
"Quite the match, then," Kael murmured, raising his glass as if in a toast. "To a lifetime of mutual tolerance."
"To duty," Eva countered, clinking her glass against his with a dazzling smile that concealed her frustration.