Chapter 15

I sighed.

"I can't believe we've been coerced into this debauchery."

"It should be fun, your grace. My father would take me and my sisters every year as children. We all enjoyed it." Teresa said as we waited for them to finish loading the luggage.

I sighed again. I'd worn black because it accurately represented my current state of mind. Agnes had followed suit. It was wonderful to have such loyal followers.

"You can't do this Newt!"

Anyone within hearing-shot turned their heads in the direction of the ruckus.

Prince Newt was walking down the stairs of the palace with a very angry Isabelle in tow.

He turned to face her at the base of the stairs.

"Isabelle please. I already explained myself. This cannot continue. You know very well why."

She stomped her foot and fisted her hands "Newt! It's all lies crafted by your mother to manipulate you!"

Newt grabbed her forearm and pulled her closer, he whispered in her ear and then let her go.

Tears spilled down her cheeks as Newt walked away.

"If you get in that carriage, I will never forgive you."

Newt hung his head and marched slowly to the first carriage. He put his foot on the first step like it was taking every fiber, bone, and ligament he owned to do so. On the last step he looked at Isabelle who was staring at him. The tears running down her face dripped from her chin and unto her dress.

After an eternity he stepped inside the carriage and a valet shut the door.

Isabelle turned on her heel and rushed back up the stairs and into the castle.

"Oh bloody hell."

"Is something the matter your grace?" Agnes asked.

"I fear I'll have to treat the Prince much kinder from now on," I slipped on my gloves "this display of emotion is going to be costly to my plans of being a terrible wench throughout this trip. I'll have to find another way to enact my revenge."

The carriage ride was silent and very, very uncomfortable.

I wasn't speaking to Thomas and Thomas wasn't speaking to me. Newt wasn't speaking to anyone and Minho had half a brain to stay quiet.

Newt spent the first two hours looking out the window and fiddling with a lavender handkerchief with an I and an N embodied in gold thread.

It was pitiful how bad I felt for him. Mother had been clear that pity and sympathy would get you nowhere. Regardless, I felt compelled to make him feel better.

I didn't like him very much but he was nowhere near as awful as I wanted him to be.

I hated that.

We stopped to water the horses and Newt walked with slumped shoulders down the river bank.

"Poor Newt. " Thomas said, peeking his head out the small window in the back of the carriage.

Minho nodded "At least this trip will give him some time to relax and distract himself."

About twenty minutes passed before the horses were ready. Minho grew impatient and looked out the window.

"Hello! Why aren't we moving?"

The riders and knights were standing around looking at the ground and shifting their feet.

Finally, a man spoke up.

"Well the crown prince is still…

Of course. They had all seen what happened.

"And you're all too afraid to go get him," Minho said and shook his head "I'll go get him."

"Wait!" I cried as he opened the carriage door. He looked back at me, clearly annoyed.

I took a deep breath "I'll get him."

Minho raised his eyebrows and surprise vibrated off of Thomas.

"Now why would I let you do that?" He asked.

"Because I think I can make him feel better. Now get out of the way."

Minho took his sweet time to consider my request before he finally moved.

"Only took you an eternity." I muttered as I exited the carriage.

I made sure my chin was high enough to make mother proud.

I passed the servants carriage and felt the scrutiny from their gazes. Hopefully, Teresa and Agnes only had nice things to say about me. Agnes less than Teresa if we were honest.

Newt was about 40 feet away. He was looking at the river like a depressed old man and I wanted to slap him for making me get my boots muddy.

He didn't look up as I approached, so I stood beside him and looked at the river.

"I don't want to make assumptions but I want you to know that I don't expect monogamy from you. This marriage is a political alliance and that is all it is. It shouldn't change any relationships you have just because were chained to each other until death."

From the corner of my eye, I saw him slightly smile.

"You know Roan, even though that might be the case I don't think I'll mind our mutual servitude to each other. And I want you to know that things with Rosemary had to end despite this marriage, they had to end a long time ago and this marriage was just the push I needed. I don't want you to hold yourself accountable for my decision to break things off."

"I see." I said, nodding my head.

He still looked miserable so I did the unthinkable.

I reached out and patted his back a couple of times before retracting.

That was the second time I willingly touched him. If this kept up I would have to burn my hand.

"We should get back to the carriage. They're all waiting" I said.

Newts head snapped up in alarm.

"Well I feel foolish. You've all seen my dramatics."

Yes, we all did. I still think you should be a thespian.

"Oh I don't think anyone sees it like that." I gave him a reassuring smile that almost turned into a deep frown when he extended his elbow for me to take.

Ever the perfect gentleman.

How obnoxious.

"Finally!" Minho cried out when we reached the manor we would be staying at "I thought we were never going to get here!"

Suddenly, I felt an immense sense of relief. I could finally get out of the carriage. Things with Thomas were only getting worse.

He obviously expected me to fix things and I wasn't about to just do that.

And my muscles were aching.

The valet opened the door and Newt stepped out first. I followed and Thomas came after me with Minho being the last.

I'm sure Minho hated being last but that's just the way etiquette worked.

Newt helped me out of the carriage and offered me his elbow again as we approached our hosts.

An elderly couple stood at the door to greet us. A young blond girl in a pink dress stood behind them with her head bowed.

"Your highnesses!" The older woman said and curtsied while her husband bowed. "We are so honored to have you gracing us with your presence."

As if nothing had happened, Newt turned on the charm.

He clasped the woman's hand and dazzled her with a smile.

"And we madam are honored to be allowed into your lovely home. Princess Roan and I greatly appreciate you hosting us."

"Princess Roan and I" made a bitter taste in my mouth appear. "Princess Roan and I" was now and would forever continue to be a thing.

Regardless, I smiled warmly and nodded my head. "Yes, we are very grateful for your hospitality."

The woman shone with pride "This is my husband Arnold," She motioned towards her husband, Newt shook his hand and I gave him a polite nod "And my Daughter Angelica. She is also engaged."

"Oh?" Newt asked "Who is the lucky gentleman?"

"Henry of Antiem. They marry tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh how exiting. Henry and I went to finishing school together. I hope we're not imposing."

The woman waved him off "Not at all! We are much honored to have you attending my daughter's wedding. Especially since you agreed to be the validators. With the crowns word for validation no one is ever going to mess with our family honor."

My blood turned to ice and sank to my toes when she validators. I would have fallen but I had Newt to hold on to. I gripped his arm like my life depended on it. He felt rigid under my touch.

"My husband thought for sure you would refuse but when word arrived from your assistant that you had accepted I knew in my heart that your reign would be a new era of progress for all of Britannica."

How do you say no to that?

This had Minho written all over it. I couldn't wait to sink my claws and strangle him.

I glanced over my shoulder to see a red Thomas and a passive Minho. No matter how hard he tried to hide it I could see the mischievous glint in his eye that gave him away.

He would pay dearly for this.

"Validators have a very important job. I hope we can measure up to the task." Newt said once he could control himself.

"Oh your highness, you are too humble."

She motioned us inside and for the first but not the last time, I was glad Newt was next to me.

"How could you do this Minho?" Newt asked as he paced back and forth.

I had my head in my hands but I could hear his boots stomp against the wooden floor.

"You said you didn't care where we stayed as long as it was indoors."

"Yes Minho! But this!"

"Lower your voice Newt. We don't want our hosts hearing" I said and pinched my nose.

I stood and crossed my arms, walking over to the window and shaking my head.

"Minho. How on earth did you think this was a good idea?" Newt asked.

"I thought it was a nice way to payback the hospitality."

Newt groaned "Attending would have been enough! I know what your pushing Minho and it needs to stop. At first, it was a fun way to rile Thomas and I but this has gone too far. You've gone too far this time."

I turned and narrowed my eyes.

There was some silent agreement between them not to speak outright of whatever Minho wanted.

Newt stood rigid, staring Minho down from across the room and Minho lounged on a settee as if nothing could possibly be better.

"Well we don't have to stay for the whole thing. Just enough so that we can sign the paper truthfully and not vomit in the process." I said.

"We can do that but that still doesn't mean we're done with you Minho."

Minho raised his eyebrows "We're?"

"Get out Minho!"

Minho laughed and stood before he walked towards the door, he stopped and looked back as if he wanted to say something but he looked at Newts face and changed his mind.
"I apologize for this. You can say you're sick or something and I'll make Minho go." He stood akimbo and looked at me.

"Its not your fault and our word was given for us. It wouldn't be wise if we flaked on our first public duty because it makes us uncomfortable." I said, walking towards the door.

"Good point. Well, I'll see you at dinner."

"Dinner it is." I said and exited the room.

I finally felt I could catch my breath. Something odd was happening to me and it made me feel ill.

Did I catch something? Did I catch what the villagers had?

"No miss. Everything looks normal." Agnes said, backing away.

"Are you sure? Did you look everywhere?"

Agnes nodded her head.

"Well then why do I feel so suffocated? I can't breathe Agnes and my stomach feels squeezed and sometimes my feet waver."

"For how long have you felt like this your grace?" Teresa asked.

"Ever since we got here I can't seem to take control of myself. Did you notice how I didn't take any biscuits? And I love nothing more in the world than biscuits."

Teresa and Agnes shared a look.

"Perhaps miss, you're nervous for the validation." Agnes said. She was the only one brave enough to question my lunacy.

I waved her off "I'd know if it was that. This is different."

"Do you wish for me to send for a doctor?" Teresa asked. Agnes shook her head profusely and gave a Teresa an admonishing look.

"I think yes." I said. An expert opinion would settle this.

"Your grace, I don't think it wise. How about we wait a couple more hours and see if the symptoms persist before we fetch a Doctor?"

"All right but if I die Agnes it's on you."

Agnes knew me long enough and well enough that she could tell me what I was thinking before I did. She obviously thought I was overreacting and who could blame her? We had a long history of similar situations.

There was a knock at the door and we all turned towards the noise.

Minho's head was poking out through the opening.

"You ladies ready?"

I sighed and stood "This fair better be worth all the fuss you made."