I turned back to Drake. “Once we find the princess’s hideaway, you and the other men shall fall back. I have decided I shall handle the princess on my own.” A sly smile spread over my face, causing Drake’s brow to arch.
“But, sir, will it not be more difficult for you to kill the princess on your own? We are more than able to aid you in this task.”
“It would be, but there has been a change in plans. I no longer believe that killing the princess is the best play... well, at least not for now.” I said shrewdly.
“Not kill her?” Drake remarked with a puzzled expression. “But, sir, how will you put an end to the rebellion if she still lives?”
“Ah, that’s the part I just pieced together,” I chided with an ominous smile. “It would seem that the dear Princes Estelle is unpleased with her future husband, and I cannot blame her. It doesn’t appear that she ever had any choice in the matter. So, say for instance, a dashing, charismatic, gentleman freed her from the rebel’s encampment and swept her off her feet...” I spun on my heels, then flashed Drake a charming smile.
He looked more confused now than before. “Are you suggesting that you—”
“Marry the princess? Why yes, that is exactly what I am entailing.”
“But why?”
“Think about it, Drake,” I mused. “If I wed the princess of Sybettal, then I officially become their new king. Then, by becoming the rightful ruler of Sybettal, I’m free to use their people however I please. Not only that, but my father would have almost no choice but to choose me as his successor. By appointing me the ruler of Ashbourne, I would be able to merge our kingdoms and double Ashbourne’s land. The king would be a fool to pass up such an opportunity, especially when preparing for war.”
Drake’s face fell in shock. “That’s ingenious, sir, but how will you convince the princess to marry you? She is already in the middle of a betrothal she likely doesn’t desire.”
I arched my brow and broadened my stellar smile. “Oh please, Drake,” I said with a pompous wave, “how could she ever deny me?”
It’s official, I despise men... All of them.
My fingers twisted at my red spirals, trying to focus my attention on anything other than my mouthy fiancé. Jeremiah Baggio, the leader of the rebels, had done me the displeasure of betrothing me to his son for the sake of Sybettal’s future—or at least, that’s how he put it... Apparently, Todd Baggio has been diligently preparing to take on the role of future king ever since the news passed that Princess Estelle may have survived. So, in other words, he’s been preparing for about two and a half weeks.
Impressive.
I wasn’t ever officially labeled as a prisoner, but they had stored me in my very own private sector of the cave with a slab of wood shoved into the entry as a makeshift door, my very own guard constantly posted outside of it. It wasn’t necessarily the “royal treatment.” Two children brought me all my meals—a brother and sister pair—but other than them, the only person I ever saw was—
“Princess Nixie, Sir Todd is here to see you again,” the guard announced as he removed the wooden door from the entrance.
I rolled my eyes with a dramatic groan as my unwelcome guest strode into the room. “Todd, this is the fourth time you’ve visited me today. I can assure you that you will not be making a romantic connection with me within the span of a day. In fact, I guarantee you are significantly worsening your chances of me developing any affection for you the more often you visit.” I crossed my arms and slumped down heavily on the spring mattress that sat nestled in the corner.
“I’m only trying to help, darling. It’s better for the kingdom if we can at least be civil with one another,” he said flatly through half-gritted teeth.
I shivered uncomfortably at the pet name. “Don’t. Ever. Call medarlingagain, or I promise, the next words you utter will be from underneath my boot.” I glared at him coldly, begging him to challenge my oath.
He swallowed stiffly and strode farther into the room. “Listen, Nixie, whether you like it or not, we must marry. It is what’s best for our kingdom.” He sat on the mattress with me, clearly trying to force a meaningful connection.
I sprung to my feet, uninterested in forming any bonds. “Well, I don’t like it, and I don’t believe it’s what’s best for our kingdom,” I said firmly, holding his eyes with a tight glare. “Get this through your thick head. I, amnot, the princess.” I clenched my teeth between every word, trying to prevent myself from screaming inside the blasted echoing walls.
Todd pressed his hands to his temples, rubbing away his own irritation. “Yes, you are; you have to be,” he retorted, his face reddening in frustration. “Nixie, you were there. You were found as an infant during the siege, you’re the proper age, and your hair—”
“Is all a coincidence,” I snapped. “My mother said there was no chance that a baby could have made it out of those flames. I was found nearly a mile from the castle. It’s simply not possible for me to be the princess. You have the wrong girl!” My voice elevated and I instantly regretted it. The shrill sound resonated painfully off the cave walls, causing me to press my hands to my ears.
“You’re in denial.” Todd shook his head. “That’s understandable, but also, very childish. You need to start putting your people first. Once we’re married, I can take the burden of ruling off your shoulders, but you need to at least cooperate.”
I threw my arms up in defeat. Talking with Todd was about as useful as talking to my echo. “Get out,” I snarled, jeering my finger toward the door. “You say I’m a princess, so I command you to leave my room at once. I don’t want to see you for the rest of the day.”
Todd slowly rose from his seat, but before he exited, he turned back and bowed low. “Of course, Your Highness.”
I wanted to scream at him for using that ridiculous title but thought better of it when I remembered the resonating walls. Instead, I balled my hands into fists and beat them against my thin mattress. The exertion of energy helped a little, but I couldn’t push away the feeling of entrapment that came from the windowless cave. There was one tiny opening in the ceiling that provided a smidge of ventilation and light, but it was so narrow that not even my slender hand could fit through the crack. I flopped back onto my bed and kicked at the squeaking mattress.
How did I end up here...?
I stared up at the slimy cave ceiling, admiring the patterns in the algae and mildew growth. I would give anything to look at the stars right now, but apparently, kidnapped princesses weren’t permitted to take evening walks. As my temper resettled, I found my thoughts lingering on Mother.I hope she’s alright...It had almost been two days since I went missing, and I’m not sure if she had discovered any leads on my disappearance. She must be worried sick.
As my fear for Mother’s well-being spiraled, a sudden knock on the wooden door spurred me to my feet. The only people who knocked were Guppy and Bindi, the two children who served my meals.