The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1) - Kiera Cass Page 0,35
don’t know if things are done differently in Coroa. I’ve never seen.”
He looked to me for confirmation. “I doubt it,” I said, my tone teasing. “Seeing as so much in Isolte is, well, let’s say imported from Coroa, I’m sure it will all be quite familiar.”
Most of them allowed that, chuckling at the observation. But not Etan.
“Isolte is just as sovereign as Coroa. Our traditions just as valuable, our people just as sacred.”
“Absolutely. The privilege of knowing your cousins has taught me so much already about the world beyond Coroa,” I said, smiling at Scarlet. “I hope to visit Isolte myself one day.”
“I hope so, too,” Etan spat, his tone sarcastic. “I’m sure you’ll be greeted with fanfare at the border.”
“Etan,” his father snapped. There was a shuffling of feet and many ducked heads, but the comment went above me.
“I don’t understand, sir.”
Etan looked at me as if I were a child. “No. Of course you don’t. Why would you?”
“Etan,” his mother whispered urgently.
“How have I offended you?” I asked, genuinely confused how both he and Valentina were so quick to find fault with me.
He smirked. “You? You cannot offend anyone.” He motioned to my headpiece, which was still making light dance every time I took a step. “You are an ornament.”
I inhaled sharply, hating that I could feel my skin turning red.
“Excuse me?”
He motioned up to the dais where Queen Valentina was sitting beside my empty seat. “What do you see up there?”
“A queen,” I replied firmly.
Etan shook his head. “That is an empty vessel, chosen to be something nice to look at.”
“Etan, that’s enough,” Silas growled. But his cousin would not be deterred.
“If you don’t know what’s happening along your own border, what’s happening to your own people, I can only conclude that you, my lady, are exactly the same: decoration for your king.”
I swallowed, wishing I were as cold and clever as Delia Grace. She would have torn this boy to shreds. But part of me sensed that, on some level, he was right. If I was soon to be queen, I had to look at the line of women I was going to be added to.
I was no soldier. I was no cartographer. I wasn’t book smart or exceedingly kind or remarkable in any way that anyone had ever taken note of.
I was pretty. And there was nothing wrong with that, but on its own, that had very little value. Even I knew that.
Still, I refused to be shamed for being the one thing I was capable of.
“Better an ornament from Coroa than a knave from Isolte,” I hissed, pulling my head up high. “Welcome to Coroa, Lord and Lady Northcott. So glad you could come.” With that, I turned on my heel and returned to my seat, which I hoped Etan noted was basically a throne. I drew the image of the sun rising over the river to mind, thinking of things that made me happy and calm.
I was not going to cry. Not here, not now. I wasn’t going to give anyone in this room—particularly someone from Isolte—reason to think that I was not poised and patient and good enough to be at the right hand of a king.
Fifteen
“PLEASE,” I BEGGED. “SHE’S TERRIBLE.”
Jameson chuckled as he walked around his private rooms, removing some of the heavier accessories he was wearing now that the opening of our visit had officially passed. “They’re all terrible,” he agreed.
“She thinks she’s so superior. I cannot spend an evening with her.” I crossed my arms, remembering her pinched face. “I’d rather eat in the stables.”
He laughed outright at that, the sound matching the roars of the crowds still gathered on the other side of the door. “As would I! But don’t you worry, my Hollis. This visit is a short one, and they’ll be gone soon enough.” He came close, wrapping his hands around my waist. “And we can get back to more important things.”
I smiled. “You are the most important thing in my world. So, if you insist I eat a meal with that wretched lady, I will.”
He put a hand under my chin, tilting my face up to his. “I will spare you. This time,” he added in a tone that was close to serious. “But unfortunately, I have to be at dinner tonight with Quinten to talk through a few deals and trades . . . things that would bore you. So go ahead. Spend the night with your ladies.”