My eyes widen. “Alderic?! What are you doing here?”

Alderic stands in the council room with my father. He isn’t too shocked by my entry, as I hoped, so I assume that they were talking about me, as everyone has had been recently. I walked up to him until I was a few feet away from him and awaited his response.

“Lenore, you seem surprised to see me.”

He flashes me his trademark smirk and I must be blushing because his smile widens. I don’t exactly know why, but my heart flutters at that. Is it merely because I haven’t seen him in awhile? Or have I just been bored while he was gone. Oh, I’m just humoring myself. I know exactly why my heart reacts to him.

His eyes, full of curiosity and trouble tell me that he also knows why. Infuriating. I hate that he knows me. But what I hate more is that he hasn’t said anything. These past moths have been an agony, with me waiting to hear news from the battle.

“Now, now, Lenore. Me and Lord Alderic had important things to discuss. But now that you are here, we can proceed. You must have perfect timing, my dear.”

Now it’s Alderic’s turn to become nervous. But about what?

“King Ezekiel… don’t you think we should… wait?”

Another look comes my way. I’m losing patience. I hate that they’ve been talking about me behind my back. But a small part of me is secretly pleased that in Alderic’s time away, he has been thinking of me.

“Nonsense. We will wait to tell the people, but don’t you think that Lenore should know?”

Any doubts that there is something going are most definitely not crowding my father’s thoughts.

“Father,” I interject myself. “What in the heavens are you talking about!” Alderic chuckles quietly then goes silent.

“You know I cannot live forever. And you must marry.”

Alderic looks down guiltily. It all clicks together. He means for me to marry Alderic. I immediately wonder wether Alderic put my father up to this. But I cannot do anything about it. Not yet. So I put on a sweet smile that must throw Alderic off, and I answer my father.

“Wonderful.”

*****

__

__

“Alderic,” I called as my father the left the room, louder and sharper than I’d intended. I braced for whatever could happen.

He stopped before turning and looking me in the eyes. My sweetness façade was still there, threatening. He seemed expectant, so I continued. “How kind of you to arrange my future-did you think me too simple to arrange it aide my eyebrow and cross my arms.

“Of course not-it’s what your father wanted.”

“You could’ve just told me, Alderic-that is, you are completely and utterly against the idea of taking me as your bride and the only way you’d do it is if you are forced. Am I correct?”

“No, Lenore-” I glared. “Lady Lenore, That is not it, I assure you.”

“I do not understand, Alderic, you say that you do not want to marry me, and now you say the opposite? You mustn’t contradict yourself. But I already know what I need. I must be leaving, Lord Alderic.” My voice trembled slightly but I do not think he noticed, and if he did, he obviously held no regard for me.

I left the room as quickly as possible and ignored his calls. The hall seemed much smaller and longer than I had ever remembered it to be, but I kept walking. Adornments on the walls blurred due to the tears that threatened to appear.

When I reach the door to my chamber, I throw it open and fall onto my bed. Tears run down my face. Despite what I said, I don’t know what I need to know. Which means I will have to face him again. And that terrifies me almost as much as it tempts me. _Oh, how could something I once dreamed about be such a nightmare?_

The door slams open. I don’t even bother to look up to see who it is. Part of me hopes that Alderic came after me. But that hope is wasted. Agnes walked in the room.

“Lady Lenore? Are you alright?” She must’ve seen the state of me. I want to scream because no, I’m not alright. But I sit up and act like the princess I am.

“I daresay I will be soon. Nothing to worry about, Agnes,” I tell her in my most convincing voice. Her face tells me that she most certainly does not believe me, but she lets it go. Mostly.

“Does it have anything to do with Lord Alderic?” Her voice has gone down to a whisper. I frown.

“Why would it have anything to do with Lord Alderic?” Does she somehow know about the wretched arranged marriage between him and me? No, that couldn’t be possible. Unless he told her, of course. But he wouldn’t have, right?

“Well, he _is _pacing in the hallway. Were you informed that he returned from battle.”

“Oh, yes. I was. You said he was, what, pacing?”

“Yes, Lady Lenore. Do you think he will propose soon? He is a hero now, what with the war.” Agnes gives me a knowing look.

“Agnes! No, he has _not,_ but I think something might be coming,” I hint, desperate for her to understand. But she does not.

“Well. What a shame,” her smile falters. “What I came in to say is that your father is holding a feast tomorrow. To celebrate your _hero’s _return.”

“Then we ought to choose what to wear. Such an _important_ event.”

*****

My father placed me next to Alderic during the dinner. The evening was cool and I was glad that I was wearing the dress I was. The thick sea green velvet paired with my auburn hair fairly well. Part of my hair was intricately pulled up with pearl clips.

The great hall managed to amaze me even after years of lining in the palace. With many people, hundreds of nobles gathered in the expansive room, its beauty shone much brighter.

All of the sudden, a young man, no younger than Alderic offered me his arm. With the news of the arranged marriage still fresh in my head, I couldn’t help but think that this man was only being kind Becuase he knew who I was. Let alone how much power I have. Or will have, once I become queen.

The small talk between us is not too unpleasant but I can tell he was hoping I’d be more enthusiastic to have had the honor to meet him.

“Sir Cedric, I beg your forgiveness, but I must be going. I must talk to my father, as I have not had time to do so recently.”

“Of course, no apology needed, Lady Lenore. I hope we can continue our conversation later. Over supper, perhaps?” I smile and tell him I’d be delighted to do so. I then take my leave of him and go towards my father.

“Ah, Lenore, Darling.” His smile widens when he sees me. I will have to ask him, later, how he manages to put all his worries and problems aside. Maybe he just has none.

“Father.”

“Alderic will be here soon. I was planning to announce your engagement tonight, you know.” Tonight?

“ I did not. What’s the hurry? Does it have to be this way?”

“Yes, Lenore, for the good of the people. Everyone trusts Alderic.” I curtsy before I say anything unforgivable to my father. I exit the room. I need air. The gardens are deserted and they look peaceful and quiet, so I go there.

Then tears stream. I walk out as far I can to muffle my sobs. Eventually, they simmer down to hiccups and I remind myself that I’m lucky. My father could have easily chosen someone like, well, like Sir Cedric, someone I could never love.

And then he’s there. He obviously knew I was here because there is no surprise in his eyes to find me, just worry. I turn away from him and rub the tears from my eyes. He maneuvers himself so that my face is in sight.

“Are you alright, Lady Lenore?” His voice is deep and there is a small tremble when he spoke my name. I nod. He sighs.

“Your father sent me to find you.” That’s why he came out. Not because he cares. Because he was ordered to, just like this damned marriage.

“I’ll be there soon. You should go back, everyone will be waiting to see you and is probably wondering where the _hero _is.”

“I can stay here with you. That is, if you don’t mind.” His eyes search mine and I look away once again. They land on his clothes, which suspiciously look like the clothes he wore the day we met. I vaguely wonder wether he did it on purpose.

I then realize he is waiting for an answer so wipe my face with my sleeve. “Do I look alright? I mean, do you-”

“You look beautiful.”