Loving a Prince Charming - By Danielle Monsch Page 0,31

also mean living without his heart, becoming a shell of a man who knew duty and nothing but. He would become cold and calculating, one who talked about odds and advantages and discounted feelings and magic. He would become bitter, envious of anyone who had the good fortune to live their lives with joy and happiness and who could balance duty and desire.

He would become his father.

Scales slid from his eyes and the man before him became simply that, a man. The king was gone, and so was his father. Only the man remained. And the man was a good ruler who cared about his kingdom, but he was hard always, even when soft would be better. He was rigid with no give. He was never, ever happy. He found no joy in the world around him and could not see the joy in others.

It was a cold, hard existence, and Seth did not want it.

He loved his people. He was proud to be their prince, and he was prepared to offer sacrifices to be the best leader possible, but he was not prepared to give up his heart.

He would not give up Kira.

He opened his mouth to tell his father.

“Father, I need to speak to you.” Rosamund’s voice cut through the room, the shock at the normally quiet girl’s very loud request stopping people in their tasks.

King Matthias rose. “Rosamund, what is the meaning of this? That is no way to enter a room.”

“Father, I will not agree to this marriage. I will not marry Prince Seth.”

Expressions on those around the room went from shocked to dumbfounded. He looked to Kira, who was looking back at him. Her expression mirrored the others, save the small sliver of—hope?—that existed in hers.

“What nonsense is this?” Matthias’ voice went deeper in his anger. “You do not dictate to me.”

“I’m not going to marry him.” The tone and the volume were lower, but the resolution in Rosamund’s voice spoke to her strength, the solid core that let her survive alone and with the curse always hovering. “His heart is not mine, and after all he has done for me, I will not condemn him to a loveless marriage. So tear up those contracts.”

She reached out and grabbed one, her intention to start the destruction clear.

Seth’s father grabbed her wrist with such force that redness was visible underneath his fingers. “Do not—”

Seth jumped and grabbed his father’s wrist in return, squeezing to loosen the man’s grip on Rosamund. “Let go,” he said in his lowest voice. His father dropped her arm while he stared at Seth.

Kira walked over to Rosamund, separating her from the men and whispering into the princess’s ear. They sat, Kira putting herself between Rosamund and both kings.

The tension now between the three men was so heavy it beaded on Seth’s skin, pulling it taut and making him itch. His father cleared his throat. “This is a very delicate time, and I reacted poorly.”

“We’re not getting married.” And now he finished what Rosamund started. “Sign any papers you wish, but there will be no marriage between our kingdoms.”

His father looked murderous for a moment but apparently thought better of another display of anger. Instead, in his most diplomatic voice, he said, “I know you are very protective of Rosamund and desire to grant her every wish—”

“I love Kira,” Seth cut in.

Kira’s gasp was loud in the tension-filled room. He was doing this all wrong, saying it in the wrong order to the wrong people. Seth turned away from his father and looked at her beloved face.

“I love Kira,” he said again, but this time his eyes were locked with hers, his body moving toward her. “I love Kira. I have loved her as far back as my memory allows me to remember, and I’m sure I loved her before that. I love that she’s a warrior. I love her compassion. I love that with her support, I can be the best man and the best ruler I’m capable of being.”

She was within touching distance now, and he stroked his thumb over the line of her cheekbone. She looked up at him with shining eyes. His beautiful Kira, as she always was—strong and resolute, ready to follow him no matter how hard the road he chose to take was. He talked to her now, not his father or the others surrounding them. “You say I’m good, but don’t you understand? The reason I can stand so firm is because I know you