Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(19)
I nod. The Ugly Stepsister had mentioned Katriona and Edward working together to pass a child labor law in the parliament.
“Won’t your parents prefer that you marry a Moryn princess?”
Edward laughs. “Their princess is currently five years old. Were she eligible, I will not deny that my parents would encourage the idea of a marriage alliance.” He regards me gravely. “However, it makes no difference. I would have chosen you, even if Moryn has a hundred princesses.”
I have an urge to laugh and chide him at the same time. “Don’t be ridiculous, Edward. I’m just an ordinary girl, not one in a thousand.”
“Ordinary?” He taps my temple lightly. “You’ve always fascinated me with your otherworldly ideas. But it wasn’t the same with you. I could not attract you the same way you attracted me. My position as the crown prince, I frankly admit, makes it unlikely for any unattached woman to reject me. But you are different. You see Athelia as undeveloped, oppressive, and even brutal. You didn't care that I was royal. No matter how I tried to get your attention, your priority remained with your family.” He stares at a large tapestry hanging on the wall, which depicts a group of people hunting a stag. No wonder there’s a stag’s head hanging on top of the mead hall. “How is your family now, by the way?”
“Are you asking me about my family?” I ask, surprised.
He nods. “Tell me.” I sense there is something that he isn't saying, but I don’t know how to ask.
“Well, we’re doing fine. Better than several years ago, actually. Mom got a new job, and she is going out with this guy called Ryan. And Paige is going to Australia after she graduates.”
“Australia? Is that the place that your school has an exchange program with?”
“Yeah, but they discontinued it. Paige is going to study there as a full-time college student.” I lift my chin. “She wants to become a doctor.”
“A doctor?” He gives me an incredulous stare, then shakes his head. “Ah, I should know that it is not uncommon for a woman to practice medicine in your world. How long will it take?”
“Five to six years at school, two years of pre-vocational training, and then she gets to register as a medical practitioner. But she could need further training, depending on what she’ll specialize in. Why do you ask?”
He seems to be turning over my information in his mind, and although his expression is not an open book, nevertheless, I can sense that my answer has relieved him. Maybe I should have lied. I’m sure he’d be more willing to let me go if Mom was still working herself crazy, or if Paige was still a kid. Or if I had already married Jason. But then, what if I’m stuck here forever? What if I have no chance of seeing the ones I love?
I slip my hand out of Edward’s and sit down on one of the long benches. Suddenly, the fun of touring the castle has faded away. What if I never see my family again? What if Jason is still searching frantically for me, after I disappeared from his house?
Someone makes an oomph sound, and Bertram enters the hall, rubbing his forehead. I guess he entered through the servant’s door, which is unfortunately smaller. I wonder if the size was constructed on purpose, or if the servants that lived in the past were, on average, shorter.
“Your Highness! Forgive me for barging in, but the mayor of Enrilth is waiting. They have a welcome party for you.”
8
An alarmingly large group of villagers is waiting outside when we emerge from the castle. Cheers, whistling, and clapping echo in the air, and bunches of flowers are tossed over our carriage. It’s kind of sweet, honestly, and it shows that Edward is beloved by his people. He may be a tad domineering and possessive, at least for my standards, but I have to admit he seems a good ruler.
When we arrive at the mayor’s house, Edward tells me what I should do when greeting them. “Don’t shake hands with anyone. Steeple your fingers together, place your hands on your stomach, and incline your head gracefully.”
“Princesses are not supposed to do that?”
“A lady does not shake hands. She curtsies when introduced, but since you are higher ranked than any of them, all you have to do is bow your head.”
“Okay.” I practice what he tells me, but the head-inclining feels horribly pretentious. I don’t have years of royal training like him. “This is so hard to get right.”
“Don’t worry. It is well known that you behave awkwardly when it comes to propriety and manners. Also, do not say ‘okay.’ That word does not exist in our vocabulary.”
“Okay,” I say automatically, which causes both of us laugh. “Sorry.”
This is going to be fun.
* * *
The mayor is an old man with white tufts of hair and a friendly smile. I nearly put out my hand, but I remember I’m a princess. “What an honor it is to have the prince and princess here for dinner. Come right in. You must be exhausted and hungry from touring the castle.”
The mayor’s wife is a plump, rosy-cheeked woman who looks much younger than her husband. She appears rather nervous when we enter, wiping her hands on a big green apron now and then, and she keeps apologizing for her cooking.
“Afraid that our country meals are too simple after what you’re used to at the palace,” she says, flustered.