Cage of Deceit (Reign of Secrets Book 1) (6 page)

He stopped before the dais.

“Prince Odar of Fren,” one of his squires announced. The prince regally bowed, showing his respect. The empress and emperor stood and went to officially greet the pretty prince. Yes, that was going to be Allyssa’s name for Prince Odar. She supposed she should greet him too. She stood and moved forward. His hand took hers and he gently pressed his warm lips to the top of her fingers, his eyes locked on hers the entire time, making every effort to be seductive.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed his squire, the one who’d announced him, watching her intently. Maybe he also served as an advisor.

After pleasantries were exchanged, Darmik announced, “People of Emperion, in honor of Prince Odar, a great feast will be thrown tonight. Everyone is invited. Afterwards, there will be lively music and dancing.”

The people clapped, and the prince nodded his head in approval.

“Prince Odar,” Rema said in a soft voice so only those closest to the dais could hear. “Please join the emperor and myself for drinks. We have much to discuss.”

Darmik gave orders for Neco to show the visitors from Fren to their rooms. Then Rema and Darmik left, the prince with only his squire right behind them.

Allyssa went to follow, but Marek gently took her arm. “I have instructions to escort you back to your rooms.”

She was relieved she didn’t have to sit in a private room with the prince and attempt to carry on a conversation with him. As she walked along the corridors, she tried to keep an open mind about the prince, but she couldn’t. He was an absolute joke. Allyssa had no interest in a man who cared more about his appearance than the people of his kingdom.

She froze in the middle of the corridor, Marek almost slamming into her.

“Are you okay, Your Highness?” he asked.

She was going to have to sacrifice herself for her kingdom. And that was something she wasn’t prepared to do just yet. What value did her parents see with aligning Emperion with Fren? Her life flashed before her eyes—married to the prince while he flirted all day with women and threw parties. Her life would be lonely and unbearable. Squaring her shoulders, she continued walking down the corridor, her hands shaking.

Allyssa despised sparring in a dress. However, that was the way her father had taught her to fight. He said if someone attacked her, she would be in a gown, so she had to be able to maneuver in heavy fabric.

“Faster,” Marek instructed. “You’re not focusing.”

She wanted to growl because he was right, she was too distracted. Putting all thoughts of the pretty prince out of her mind, she gave Marek her full attention. He swung his sword, hitting hers near the hilt, making her drop it. Not intending to lose their match so easily, she twisted and came in close to him. When he went to grab her, she rammed her elbow into his stomach. He hunched over and she yanked him down, slamming her knee into his face.

He dropped his sword.

“I win,” she declared.

Catching his breath, he wiped his forehead. “You seem to have gained a few new moves.” Not a question.

“Perhaps,” was all she said in reply. The training room was lined with her personal guards. She knew her father didn’t want her practicing—he’d rather she prepare for the ball. But in order to make it through dinner and dancing, she had to release her anger and frustration.

Marek took their wooden swords and put them back on the rack.

“I’m not ready to return to my rooms.” She still felt off balance and unsettled.

He glanced to the door where Mayra and Madelin were waiting for her. “I need to go over some security details with my father,” Marek stated.

“Then go.” She waved him away. “I’ll only be a few more minutes.”

He briefly spoke with the guards before he said, “Your Highness,” and left.

As soon as he was gone, she put leather gloves on and went to the hay figure secured to the wall. Taking a deep breath, she started punching it, imagining the dummy was the prince. Smiling, she started hitting it harder and faster, allowing all of her aggression to evaporate.

Someone started clapping, and she spun around about to yell at whoever had interrupted her. 

Prince Odar stood there with a smirk.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, wiping the sweat off her forehead with her arm. He was accompanied by two of his soldiers and the squire she noticed earlier in the Throne Room.

He clicked his tongue. “A testy remark from someone so delicate and lovely.”

Her eyes narrowed. She was dirty, smelly, and certainly not the picture of a princess at the moment. The squire clasped his hands behind his back, staring daggers at her. He must not approve of a woman who could take care of herself, knew how to fight, and who dared to sweat. She hated him almost as much as she hated the prince.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” she said, trying to keep the detest from her voice. “Please excuse me, I must prepare for this evening.”

Mayra rushed forward and placed a cloak upon Allyssa’s shoulders. The princess yanked the hood up, concealing herself so no one from the court would see her all sweaty. She swept out of the room, not looking back. She could have sworn she heard the prince chuckling as she hurried down the corridor. 

“Why didn’t you use the opportunity to speak with the prince?” Mayra asked, trying to keep up. “He obviously sought you out.”

Allyssa’s eyes sliced over to her lady-in-waiting. “Because,” she snapped, “I don’t want to talk to someone who flatters with pointless words.”

Mayra laughed. “He is rather charming.”

“He appears to be exactly as a prince should,” Allyssa said. “And I have no interest in princes.”

“Aiming a bit higher?”

“No,” Allyssa replied. “I’m aiming for someone a bit more real.”

***

Entering the Royal Chambers, Allyssa walked straight through the sitting room without stopping. She knew what was there—flowers, jewelry, letters, and gifts from every available suitor who deemed themselves an acceptable match. Nobles from all over the kingdom, all desiring the wealth and notoriety of her position. All they saw when they looked at her was a crown and the power that came with it. She despised the tradition that dictated suitors send gifts before a ball or party to make their intentions known.

Just as she was about to turn down the hallway leading to her bedchamber, a small, wooden box caught her attention. It was made from simple oak, and it was the size of her hand. She stood staring at it. Everywhere else in the room, on every single surface, were gaudy flowers and ornate boxes. This one was completely out of place. Grabbing it, she took it with her.

The royal guards remained outside Princess Allyssa’s rooms and only Mayra and Madelin went in with her. Both girls hurried to the dressing closet to start preparing Allyssa’s gown. She plopped onto her bed, staring at the simple box. Oak was found in the Bizantek Forest that stretched from the northernmost section of Emperion, to Fia, through Telmena, and into Fren. There were no carvings or markings to suggest where the box had been made. The smoothness of the wood indicated someone had skillfully carved it.

She lifted the lid. Inside was a simple, hand-carved wooden ring. Upon closer inspection, there were several words engraved in a language she didn’t recognize. Allyssa traced her finger over the foreign words. Perhaps Mayra would know what it said, but Allyssa didn’t want to show the gift to anyone.

It was beautiful, and on a whim, she slid the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. There wasn’t a note or letter accompanying it. Where did the ring come from? Who had given it to her? She opened her bedchamber door, and her soldiers snapped to attention.

“Find out who was on duty this afternoon. I want to know who delivered this box.” Her guards nodded, and she closed the door. Removing the ring, she gently placed it back in the box and set it on the table near her bed.

***

“Well?” Madelin asked, smiling proudly as she stood next to Mayra, both observing Allyssa. “What do you think?”

Allyssa just stared at herself in the mirror. The gown was the most elaborate dress she’d ever worn—even more so than the one she’d had on in the Throne Room to greet the prince.

“It’s heavy,” was all she said. She feared if she bent her knees, she’d actually collapse from the weight of the fabric. “Will I even fit through a doorway?”

Mayra shook her head. “You look exquisite, so stop being sullen and moody.”

Allyssa laughed. “You’re right, I’m sorry. Thank you for making me look beautiful.” Turning away from the mirror, she faced her friends. “Are you two coming?” she asked. Since her father had opened the invitation up to the entire court, her ladies-in-waiting were officially allowed to attend.

“We are.” Madelin beamed.

“Then you better hurry and change. Stop fussing over me.” After Mayra and Madelin left to dress for the ball, Allyssa went over to the table where the box sat and opened it. She couldn’t help but stare at the simple ring. Wearing it on her finger would be completely inappropriate; however, perhaps she could string it on a chain and use it as a necklace. Then she could tuck it under her dress where no one would see. She slammed the lid closed, wondering why she was indulging herself with thoughts of a simple, wooden ring.

Allyssa joined her parents in the sitting room. 

“You have quite the admirers,” her mother cooed. “Whatever will you do with all these gifts?”

“What I always do,” Allyssa replied. “Donate them to the poor.”

Her parents looked at each other. Allyssa didn’t know what they were thinking, but she always gave the jewelry to shelters for the homeless. She never kept anything. The wooden box was the first item she’d ever even touched.

“The prince had this delivered,” Rema said, holding out an ornate silver jewelry box. “Care to open it and see what’s inside?”

Her mother knew she didn’t, which meant Rema wasn’t really asking, but requesting her daughter open the gift. Etiquette required her to wear one of the items, indicating who she would dance with first, but she couldn’t do it. She wasn’t ready for what it meant. If she opened the prince’s gift and wore it, she’d be announcing to the world that she was initiating marriage negotiations with him.

“It’s okay,” Darmik said. “If you’re not ready, we understand. Maybe next time?”

She nodded. “Next time. I promise.”

Rema set the gift down. “All we ask is that you dance with the prince. Try to become better acquainted.”

“I can do that,” Allyssa replied. “In return, I’d like you to be completely honest with me as to why he’s here and why we need this alliance.”

“Very well,” Rema answered, taking Allyssa’s hands and holding them tightly. The lines around her eyes softened as she spoke. “Your father and I haven’t decided on the best course of action yet. Right now, I want to see if you and Prince Odar are compatible. Having you married to someone from another kingdom—someone with wealth, power, and a strong army—is beneficial to Emperion. I’m trying very hard to be a good mother and a good ruler. Sometimes, it’s not as easy as you might think. I hope you can understand that.”

Allyssa nodded, wanting to squeeze her hands out of her mother’s firm grip. Whenever the word marriage was used, it made her want to go running the other way.

Darmik placed his hand upon his daughter’s shoulder, holding her in place. “We didn’t tell you about Prince Odar coming ahead of time because we were afraid of your reaction.”

“If we had told you the first real potential suitor was arriving to make your acquaintance, you probably would have run away,” Rema said.

If her parents had told her about Prince Odar’s arrival, she probably would have run away. After all, that had been her plan when she thought the prince from Telmena was coming.

“Is there anything else?” Allyssa asked, trying to conceal the ire in her voice. Just because she was only sixteen didn’t mean her parents had to shield her from politics and the unpleasantries that came along with it any longer—especially if they felt she was old enough to marry.  

Darmik squeezed her shoulder and released her. “For now,” he said.

“I don’t want you worrying,” Rema added, letting go of Allyssa’s hands. “Simply become acquainted with the prince and we’ll go from there.”

Allyssa groaned. “Fine. I’ll dance and attempt to make conversation with him.”

“And you’ll be nice,” Darmik added.

At that, she rolled her eyes. However, she would be the perfect princess for her parents’ sakes. They wouldn’t request something of her that wasn’t necessary.

“We need to be on our way,” Rema said.

“Shall we?”  Darmik asked, holding out his arm for his wife. The empress took it and they exited the suite, Allyssa not far behind.

One foot in front of the other—that was all she could focus on right now. If Allyssa allowed herself to feel, she’d drown in her emotions. She just had to make it a couple of hours. Then, like she always did, she’d leave early and escape from this suffocating cage.

***

Overdoing it was an understatement. Her parents had gone all out, transforming the Great Hall into a lavish room adorned with flowers and candles. Plates were piled high with food, wine was being passed around, and hundreds of guests seemed to be enjoying the feast. Allyssa was seated between her father and Neco to show she was valuable, watched, and guarded. She was thankful she wasn’t forced to sit next to the prince.

When supper was over, everyone went to the adjoining room for dancing. It, too, was extravagantly decorated with hundreds of lit candles and flowers hanging from the ceiling. A large group of musicians played a lively tune. Darmik claimed Allyssa for the first song. With so many nobles present, she was going to have to stay later than she usually did. She sighed. It was going to be a long night. 

As Darmik spun her around the dance floor, she caught a glimpse of her mother dancing with Prince Odar.

“Smile,” Darmik murmured as he dipped his daughter.

“I’m trying,” she replied through gritted teeth, forcing herself to grin.

He chuckled. “Come on,” he said. “This isn’t so bad. You act like we’re torturing you.”

She looked pointedly at him.

“Prince Odar is by no means ugly, and all accounts claim he is an intelligent man. At least give him a chance. He might surprise you.”

“The only thing that would surprise me would be if he actually turned out to be intelligent.”