pulling her out of the room. I could not even bear to look at Odette when the door closed behind us. What was I supposed to say to her?
“Are you all right?” she whispered beside me.
“Am I?” I gasped, meeting her gaze. “Are you? Odette, I am so sorry!”
“You do not have to apologize,” she said though I could tell from her eyes that she was hurt.
“Yes, I do.” That was worse than it could have possibly been. Months ago, he was the one asking me—no, ordering that I marry or risk banishment. He did not say a word regarding whether she was Ersovian or not then! How could he—
“Hey.” She squeezed my hand to get my attention.
Intent upon looking at her, I felt the tightness in my chest loosen a bit.
“Yeah. It hurt hearing. And if it were someone else, someone not sick, I would be more upset, and I would have said words back. But he looked so confused and scared. And he was calling out to a son he could not reach. He is ill, so I think he deserves compassion.”
“He is reaching out for his favorite son.” I frowned, too embarrassed by all of this. “I know he loved me, but Arthur was his favorite.”
“Loves,” she corrected me. “He loves you. He’s not dead, just not well.”
“But Arthur is dead,” I whispered. “And when we told him that, my father got so much worse. He broke down, and since then, he has not had one clear day. I have told everyone never to bring it up again to him. But now he just keeps looking for him, and I do not know what to do.”
“I do not know what to tell you, either,” she whispered. “So hopefully, standing here with you is enough for now.”
“It is. It is more than enough.”
It was everything, giving me hope for the future.
Chapter 7
It was 1:53 p.m.
Since I arrived, I had been taken from one ornate room or garden or hallway to another room or garden or hallway, smiling for the camera as I went. Everything was going exactly as Mr. Ambrose had scheduled for me. It was like I was in some sort of machine, everyone and everything automatically adjusting then readjusting as I either entered or left. I wasn’t sure what it was like to take engagement photos, but I doubt other people had three maids—one for accessories, one for the dress, and the other to fix their hair. I don’t think the woman knew what to do with mine, so she just fluffed it a bit. All I had to do was point to what I wanted to wear. There was no one to ask their opinions, and no one offered any. If I had asked them to cover me in all the jewels there, they would have done it without a word. However, we were now finished without any issues. It was time for lunch with the queen, and I felt like that might be more of a battle.
“Do not worry.” Gale smiled, letting go of my hand. “My mother is harmless. You two will get along fine.”
“Are you leaving?”
“For a bit. I do not want to, but my keepers will not let me off any longer.” He nodded his head over to Iskandar and a short man checking his watch restlessly while waiting. “I will meet you when I finish. Don’t stress. Everything will be okay.”
I nodded. We broke away from each other, and Gale looked at Mr. Ambrose. “Take care of her, Ambrose.”
“Of course, sir.”
He gave me another glance before moving away. Iskandar and the short man stepped aside for him to go; however, he paused and turned back, his gaze returning to Mr. Ambrose.
“She is to get a staff immediately,” Gale said.
“Yes, I have people waiting.”
“Assign Wolfgang as her secretary.”
“Princess Eliza—”
“She will not mind, and if she does, I will speak to her.”
It was odd seeing him like this; I was used to seeing him as just—him. However, the way he stood, the way he spoke, the command in his voice. There was none of his usual humor or playfulness. He did not question, he ordered, and everyone hovered around him, waiting to follow his commands.
“Yes, sir,” Mr. Ambrose replied, nodding.
And as Gale walked away, I watched those who were not walking with him stand at attention at the other end of the red-carpeted hallway, bowing their heads as he walked past. Once again, it hit me. This wasn’t some fairy tale. This