Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(101)

“Princess?” Mabel knocks on the door. “Your visitor has arrived.”

“Very well. I will be out in a moment.”

I tuck the key of the drawer in my pocket before going into the sitting room. There, sitting on the sofa, is Katriona Bradshaw, while Bianca stands beside her, arms crossed and eyes flashing.

I frown. I had only asked for Katriona Bradshaw. “Thank you for accepting my invitation,” I say, addressing Katriona. “If you don’t mind, can I have a private conversation with you? I have another room inside.”

“What are you planning to say to her?” Bianca says, eying me as if I have a knife under my sleeve. “I can’t allow her to speak to you if I don’t know what you are planning to do.”

“You may stay here while we talk in the other room. I promise you that I have no intention of doing anything.” I hand her an envelope. “In fact, if you read this, you will know that I mean no harm.”

Bianca snatches the envelope from my hands and reads the paper it contains. Her eyes get bigger and bigger, and she looks up at me, incredulous. “You are withdrawing from the case? You are willing to admit that you are not my sister?”

“Yes.”

Bianca looks as if she has swallowed a whole apple. “If you were going to admit the truth, then why didn’t you do it in the beginning? Why waste the time going to court? What are you playing at?”

Because of the goblins. My head goes dizzy for a second, and I try not to let it show. I must keep a clear mind when talking to Katriona Bradshaw.

“If you don’t believe me, go ask my husband.” I savor the words ‘my husband’ as I say them. No matter how Bianca strives, she will never be able to refer to Edward as her spouse. “He is already conveying my decision to the king and queen. Now, if you will excuse us.” I gesture to my study. “Miss Katriona, if you please.”

Katriona darts an anxious look at Bianca, who shrugs and tells her she’ll be waiting in the sitting room. Slowly, Katriona rises and follows me into the study. In a way, I could see why Bianca didn’t suspect me when I was first transported to Athelia. Katriona looks like someone who is used to being bullied and ignored. However, unlike Elle, who remains sweet and kind-hearted, something in Katriona’s aura lacks benevolence.

I close the door and ask her to take a seat. She does, her gaze shifting cautiously around the room, and I sit across from her. I am thinking of how to begin this conversation when Katriona opens her mouth.

“Why?”

“Can you be a bit more specific?” I say. “I’m sure there are many things that you are wondering about.”

She raises her head and stares at me. “Why did you withdraw? You were succeeding in making the court believe you were the victim.”

I shrug. “Aren’t you happy I did it?”

“I wouldn’t know what goes on in a witch’s mind.”

I laugh. “I can see that Bianca has planted some strange ideas in your head. Believe me or not, I’m a victim just like you. I can’t tell you how you ended up in Moryn, and I can’t tell you why we happen to look alike. But I can tell you that I became princess because Edward fell in love with my character. I didn’t resort to spells or charms—which I’m sure Bianca is convinced that I dabble in—because I’m not a witch. I can’t do any magic.”

Katriona continues to stare at me, as if trying to discern any witchlike characteristics in me. For a country that doesn’t believe in magic, the citizens are surprisingly superstitious.

“Why did you choose me?” she finally says. “I’ve never seen you before. Is it because we look so alike that you chose to kidnap me and have me brought to Moryn?”

“I would like to know the answers as well. But for now, in exchange for my volunteering to step down and admit that you are Katriona Bradshaw, I would ask you for something.”

“What can I do? You’re better off asking Bianca.”

“Great, but number one, she hates me. Number two, only you can help me with this.” I lean forward and will myself not to choke or cough. My supply of oxygen is vanishing quickly. “When it is made known that you are indeed Katriona Bradshaw, I will not be able to stay in the palace. I know you must have suffered through some hard times in Moryn, but those hard days are over. You will be princess, and even if Edward decides to file for divorce, you will still have a handsome allowance.”

I tell her about compulsory education, and also about Princess College. “Please don’t undo the work I have accomplished so far. And please don’t hate Edward if he doesn’t treat you well.”

A curious gleam shines in her eyes, and she leans forward. “Are you telling me that I can take your place and be princess of this country?”

I feel bad for Edward. The more I talk to her, the more I dislike Katriona. If only she were more like Elle, he might have resigned himself to the marriage. Katriona may not be stunning or intimidating, as Bianca is, but there are characteristics that the Bradshaw sisters share in common—such as an obsession with becoming royal.

“Yes. After all, it’s your name in the wedding register. You are wedded to him. In two days, I will leave the palace. If Edward asks for a divorce, please try to understand.”

“Because he wants you back?”

I shake my head. “I don’t think that will happen. But Katriona, please consider what I say. If you can help Edward improve the lives of the citizens of Athelia, that will be wonderful. But even if you can’t, please continue to support the school. I am not the wicked, scheming, evil person that Bianca tries to paint me to be. Trust me, I didn’t mean to impersonate you. All I ask is that you be receptive to whatever Edward asks of you. Including a divorce.”