I swallowed down the bitterness rising in my throat and forced a smile.
Alice huffed, clearly annoyed. “Princess, how can you still smile at a time like this?”
“If Prince Orion treats Miss Waverly like a precious gem, and you really do marry him, won’t you just be left in the cold forever?
“Fine, fine. I won’t marry him, all right?” I said with a laugh, trying to reassure her.
But just as the words left my mouth, Orion pushed the door open and caught everything I said,
There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes, followed by the usual sneer tugging at his lips.
“Claire, if you truly don’t wish to marry me, why haven’t you gone to your father to annul the engagement?”
t an entire
“You’re just jealous because treat Serena well,” he accused. “So you say these things to play hard to get–hoping I’ll start treating you the same way!”
I rolled my eyes. How had I never realized before just how conceited he truly was?
When I didn’t respond, Oriol stepped further inside.
*I came today to let you know–I’ve taken half of the dowry you brought from Asteria and moved it to the Waverly castle. Don’t worry, I’m not after your possessions. I just needed to give Serena something impressive for her wedding.”
My head snapped up, eyes wide with disbellet.
“Orion! That dowry was a gift from my father–be selected every piece with care and love. I’ve had it with me for over a decade. How could you just give it to someone else without asking me?”
What left my homeland as a child, and my father, heartbroken to part with me, had poured all his love and longing into that dowry. Every item had been chosen with his own hands,
“If you cherish Serena so deeply, why not give her something from your own treasury? Or is the Prince, who boasts of love so freely, really just a
Chapter 3
cheapskate unwilling to part with a single coin?”
