Keziah
Not turning around, I sipped on my lemonade and tried to calm my racing heart. Halcyon's appearance on this balcony was not in my plans for the evening. In fact, I am actively trying to avoid him. He was the man who only married me because I proved I was useful in helping him gain the throne. After being crowned king, I continued to prove my usefulness by helping him guide the kingdom into a long-lasting era of prosperity. Nonetheless, none of my efforts mattered because he still chose her in the end.
My deeds were not equal to her love. Not this time. This time, he will have to figure it out himself. Maybe it will make him a better king, having to do all the work I had done on his behalf to raise the kingdom to that level this time. The petty part of me that wants revenge feels satisfied thinking about the work ahead of him—work he doesn't even know he will have to do.
Life has been pretty easy for him so far. He doesn't know yet that while it seems easy to fulfill the king's conditions to become crown prince within the next year, his younger siblings aren't as sweet as they have led many to believe. The rest of his family knows each other well, while he has kept himself at a distance, feeling he owes his dead mother some kind of twisted loyalty.
I chuckle internally just thinking of the hoops I went through to get each of them to sign the contracts. They will make him work for their signatures. The two youngest will still need the Queen to sign off on them relinquishing their rights, and she will not let her babies be slighted—even for her eldest stepson. She will make sure he uses every resource to create a path for their success.
Prince Cyrus was the most difficult opponent. He held out for another year, but we were able to convince the King and the council to name Halcyon crown prince unofficially, since he gained the majority, with the condition that if he could gain Prince Cyrus's signature in three months, he would be named crown prince officially.
Yes, yes, I look forward to seeing him struggle in the months to come.
Finally turning to face Prince Halcyon after being silent to his accusation, I gave him a smile and curtsy.
"Greetings to the First Prince. You are looking well this evening. No, Your Highness, I am not after your brother. We were simply discussing art. We found we had common interests and were enjoying each other's company."
I placed my cup on the balustrade, giving him my full attention.
"I'm disappointed in myself that I almost missed out on being friends with him because of my infatuation with you. I lost a lot of things because of my obsession with you. I'm taking back those things since I have gotten nothing in exchange for all the sacrifices I've made. Prince Halcyon, you don't know me and have never tried. So, I will say this directly to you, just as directly as I was when I first declared I would be your wife one day: you don't deserve me, so I will not chase you anymore. I will pursue my passions and love those who love me with all that I am."
I stand and declare this to him and all the nosy people on the other side of that door.
"I wish we could have at least become friends over these past years, but you never even allowed me that. So, I ask you to pardon my past transgressions and let us start anew as two strangers. You can go your way, and I can go mine. Our paths may cross at times, but know that I will never attempt to walk at your side ever again in this lifetime. If you will excuse me, my family is waiting for me."
I curtsied one last time, then went to walk around him and back inside.
His voice rang out just as I reached the door.
"I will be visiting Lord Quinn and young Master Amias tomorrow."
I paused, wondering why he was telling me this information.
"I'm sure my brothers will be wonderful hosts. Good night, Your Highness."
I started to open the door when he spoke again.
"Will you not be joining us tomorrow?"
Now really confused, I closed the door and turned to him with a confused expression.
"Why would I join your visit with my brothers? I'm assuming you are coming over to get to know them and begin including them in your circle since you've kept your distance because of me. I have other matters to attend to that day anyway—art shows and a few commissions. I'm sure you will be treated well in my home during your visit. Have a wonderful evening, Prince Halcyon."
I hurriedly left before he could continue acting strangely. I met up with my family, bid farewell to Prince Cyrus, and then we left to go home. Dinner that night felt especially wonderful and would definitely be one of my favorite memories for years to come.
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I was working on some sketches for a sculpture commission while soft instrumental music played on the radio when I heard Callie speaking unusually loudly to someone outside my studio.
"Lord Quinn and young Master Amias, this humble maid greets you this afternoon. Are you giving His Highness, Prince Halcyon, a tour of the grounds?"
Callie appeared to have things under control, so I turned my focus back to my sketching. Everything except my sketch pad and the music faded into the background until I felt a presence looming over the back of the sofa.
Looking up, I found myself staring into honey-gold eyes. Pulling back slightly, I was able to focus and realize that Prince Halcyon, for some reason, was in my studio—and inside my personal bubble.
I screamed and fell off the sofa once my brain finally processed everything.
"What are you doing in here, and why are you so close?! We are in no way familiar enough with each other for you to be that close to me! Get out! I need to calm down, and then I will meet you in the parlor next door."
I got up off the floor, frustrated that my peace and focus had been broken.
I set my sketch pad and pencils on the nearby table, trying to bring myself fully present, when I realized I didn't hear footsteps moving away. Instead, I heard feet running toward my studio.
Keeping my back to the rest of the room as more people came in asking questions—and no one left—I sat down in front of my work desk, going through breathing cycles to find the calm that continued to elude me.
I don't know how long it took for everyone to stop talking, but it felt so good to finally have silence again. I took a few more minutes to calm down before standing up and turning to face those in my studio.
My safe space had been violated, and that was not acceptable. I looked at my brothers, Callie, and Prince Halcyon in that order, waiting for one of them to explain. They all flinched, looking anywhere but at me.
Callie was the first to approach me. She looked at me as if I was about to hit her. She hadn't been this cautious with me since my return. I must have had a very displeased expression on my face.
"Lady Keziah, are you alright? We heard yelling. When we arrived, we found you facing away and His Highness frozen with a confused expression. You weren't responding to our questions, and His Highness insists he never touched you or did anything that should have caused you to yell at him. Do we need to escalate this situation?" Callie spoke so softly that I doubted the others in the room heard her.
"No, no need to escalate, but I do need someone to explain why His Highness was allowed into my studio without permission," I replied just as softly.
I squeezed Callie's hand, then spoke loud enough for everyone to hear me. I couldn't help but notice an odd amount of activity outside the open doors.
"Let's all head over to the parlor next door. This space isn't suitable for conversation."
I gestured with a polite smile for everyone to get out of my studio immediately.