Princess Esme's Arc

Chapter 4 of 4

Four weeks had passed since the night in the garden. Conrad stayed at the castle the whole time. He walked with Esme in the courtyard. He read beside her in the library. He said the words she wanted, and she believed each one. This morning she chose her favorite crimson gown, the one with sleeves that hung off her shoulders. Today Conrad had asked to speak with her parents. Esme did not know why. She only knew her heart felt light. She found him in the throne room. Conrad stood before King Theo and Queen Margaux, hands clasped, head bowed just enough. His slicked hair caught the light. He wore his gold-trimmed garments like a man who belonged there. When he saw Esme, he smiled the smile she trusted. She did not see the cold thing behind his eyes. She saw only the prince who wanted a person, not a crown. "Your Majesties," Conrad said. "I came to your court with nothing. The youngest of three brothers. No lands. No title of my own." He let the words hang. "I ask for nothing but your daughter's hand. I would give up everything I have, which is little, to stand beside her." King Theo leaned forward. His crown glinted, red gems bright. He had judged many suitors and thrown one out in chains. He watched Conrad now with narrow eyes. But Conrad had spent four weeks learning the king. He knew Theo distrusted men who wanted the crown. So Conrad pretended to want none. "You claim no ambition," King Theo said. "I claim only love," Conrad answered. He turned to Esme. "Ask her." Esme's chest tightened. She thought of the men in her books. She thought of a month of gentle words. "He speaks the truth, Father," she said. "He never asked about the kingdom. Only about me." Queen Margaux studied the young prince. She had pushed Esme toward strangers before. Now her daughter stood glowing beside one. Margaux touched the king's arm. "She has never looked at anyone this way," she said softly. King Theo was quiet a long moment. Then his hard face eased. "A man who wants my daughter and not my throne is rare," he said. "You have my blessing." Conrad bowed low. "Thank you, Your Majesty." "We will hold the wedding in one month," the queen said, already smiling. "There is much to prepare." Esme's breath caught. She crossed the floor and took Conrad's hand. He squeezed her fingers and met her eyes. For one second his smile slipped. She saw something flat and hungry beneath it, gone before she could name it. Then his warm mask returned. Esme thought maybe she was just anxious. "One month," Conrad said. "I can wait one month." Esme laughed and took Conrad’s hand.