Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
OCTOBER 31
I may have met my future wife today. And quite honestly, I’m very disturbed. I had planned on begrudgingly and complainingly accepting this whole ordeal. I had told myself that I would do it out of duty and duty alone. I would not show any joy or satisfaction with being forced to marry.
Then I met her, and she has stolen almost all the rebellion out of me. I currently do not know how I am to face my father or, worse, my brother. The smug satisfaction they will most definitely have on their faces will drive me mad. However, I will have no choice but to accept it because I enjoyed my brief time with her. She’s witty, stubborn, with a quick temper, yet deeply caring and understanding. It does not hurt that if Aphrodite needed a body to steal and become mortal, she’d chose Odette’s. I do not think I would be able to find another woman I did not mind and the palace approved of. Maybe Eliza is right. It is fate.
The only problem seems to be her complete and absolute lack of interest in me or being royal. From what her mother has told me and what I have noticed tonight, she seems to have no desire for romance, whatsoever.
Whatever is a romantic to do?
“Wolfgang has almost finished arranging your things, sir,” Iskandar said from behind me. “You are to stay in the last room at the end of the hall.”
“Thank you,” I replied, finishing my thoughts on the page.
“Once he is done, he can take you if you wish to go to the event this evening. You would need to wear a mask, but you could go,” he stated.
“No, it’s not necessary,” I whispered, closing my journal before reaching up to undo the top of my jacket. “Besides, I doubt she would want me to go.”
“I do not understand.”
“Think about it. Her mother only dressed me up like this for her daughter’s sake. It is her mother’s mischievous attempt to force a romance. I can only assume that Odette has some connection to this fairy tale, and her mother was trying to bring it to life.” I leaned back against the cushions, closing my eyes.
“Is that not a reason to go out with her this evening?”
“I’ve already intruded on her home. If I also went to the event, she would only feel even more pressure. It’s best to give her space for now.”
“Your brother wished for me to remind you that time—”
“My brother, as well as everyone else, needs to remember that they may be able to force me but not her. They are only doing what is best for the crown. She’ll do what is best for Odette. Rome was not built in a day.”
“True. But you do not have one thousand and twelve years to build Rome.”
My eyes snapped back open, and I glanced over my shoulder at him. “Are you my guard or my brother’s mouthpiece?”
He stood upright with his head held high. “Both.”
“Then you report to him then. I’m going to sleep,” I muttered, grabbing my journal as I rose from my chair.
He said nothing as I walked up the stairs.
I wished I did not have so much pressure attached to this. I was here. I was agreeing, working on it. The last thing I needed was a constant reminder that this was a prearranged agreement.
Entering the room, Wolfgang opened his mouth to say something, but I just waved him off. All the exhaustion I had fought off immediately hit me. Falling onto the bed, I kicked off my shoes and tossed my journal onto the bedside table. My eyes were already closing; it had been such a long night.
I’d figure out everything else in the morning.
Chapter8
“Don’t be mad,” Augusta said to me when I arrived. She must have been waiting at the door because I barely got my foot through the door before she was in front of me.
“Too late. I already am,” I replied.
“She called you.”
“What? Who called me?” I asked, not understanding what was with the expression on her face or why she was blocking my way.
“Your mom. I’m so sorry, Odette. I didn’t know. I already got her a table. And I’m trying to—”
“Augusta, slow down.” I was now completely lost. “What are you talking about? Why would my mom call me?”
She frowned and stepped aside. “My mom apparently took charge of the fundraiser this year.”
I still didn’t understand until I stepped forward and walked into the hall. It was then that I saw all the decorations. There were photos and banners of our father with us, with the hospital kids, and with Yvonne, even pictures of him with different members of the board. But none of my mother. There was even a photo of Augusta and me with her mother and our father that came on the slide show. What was worse, what gutted me, was seeing Yvonne taking photos and welcoming guests at the front of the ball. My chest began to tighten the more I watched the purposeful exclusion of my mother. Yvonne’s table was at the very front. Meanwhile, I could see my mother seated in the back with random people I didn’t even know. No one was even coming toward there. She just sat, dressed in gold, next to Mr. Greensboro.