Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(17)
He has dumped me in a bucket of ice cold water. Traveling to Moryn with Katriona Bradshaw is utterly undesirable. From what I know of Moryn, it is almost impossible I could be separated from her. She would be required to stay with me most of the time. At the palace, I could find places to ignore her, such as staying in my office or in my room. But traveling with her, it is expected that we would share the same room on the ship, and the same room in Moryn Castle. If I take her for Kat again while I am in my dreams, if I’m not careful, the worst situation is that she could get herself with child. If that happens, any hope I have for a divorce would disappear.
“Do you not even have any inclination to attend, Father? It has been a long time since you’ve been to Moryn.”
“Last time when we received the emperor, it has been enough for me. I want you to represent the crown.”
There is a finality in his voice that I recognize in my own. My father may be less autocratic compared to our ancestors, but he is nevertheless used to getting his way. I look towards Mother, but she remains silent. As crown prince, there is little hope I could refuse an invitation to Moryn. And considering I had told Augustin last year that Kat and I would be pleased to attend his wedding (also a ploy to convince Kat to stay), I would have to go. With Katriona Bradshaw posing as my wife.
I force myself not to clench my fists or let my emotions show. If I had my way, I would rip up that invitation and toss it in the waste paper basket. I would slam a fist on the table, and announce I have no intention of bringing Katriona Bradshaw and parading her in front of the Moryns. I do not want to take her hand and tell everyone that this is the girl I had selected from thousands of others at the ball.
But I am still crown prince and it is too late. Even if Henry agrees to ascend the throne, he is far away in Moryn. The wedding will be held in two weeks.
“Very well, Father.” When I leave the room, I vow to guard myself during this trip. I must not let Katriona Bradshaw get near. I must not lose hope that Kat might return one day. “But once we return, I will start the divorce proceedings immediately.”
11
Kat
“Are you sure you want to do this, honey?”
I look at Mom and Paige. While I understand their concern, I have to return to Athelia. I love my mother and sister, but I have a new family on the other side of the world.
Mom stares at me, her eyes pleading. “Kat, if you go, you’re all alone in that world. What if anything happens and you have no one to turn to? Are you willing to risk anything to go back to your prince?”
I close my eyes. The memories spent with Edward rise in my mind, and my lips part involuntarily. There is no need for an answer.
“Look at her, Mom,” Paige says, in a tone of someone who knows it’s no use arguing. “She’s in too deep.”
Mom sighs. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, honey. I’m worried about you, if that world is as undeveloped as the professor described. You enjoy privileges over there because you are a princess. Your husband is attracted to you because you’re different, but what if one day he decides it’s easier to have a woman who doesn’t challenge him? It might be a fairytale now, but have you ever thought what might happen in five years? In ten?”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve thought about this many times. I know what I’m doing.” I blink away a tear that’s about to leak from my eye. “Living in this world also has its risks. I could die in some terrorist attack, a car crash, a snowstorm, anything. It took me half a year in Athelia before I decided to stay there forever. Pretend I’m going to marry someone in a distant country.”
Mom’s shoulders sag; Paige sighs. My mind is set and nothing they say will convince me to give up. “Will you be able to come back to visit? Is there any way we can contact you and let us know how you’re doing?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “It seems that the goblins have no problem transporting me, but it’s the oxygen thing that’s the major hurdle. If I become an Athelian, then it’s likely that I won’t be able to breathe in our own air, even if I come back.”
Tears spring in Mom’s eyes. Paige looks away, but she’s sniffing and fighting back tears. “Oh Kat. We’ve lost you for months, and now that we finally have you back, you’re going to leave us again.”
“I’m sorry.” This time I let the tears flow. “I’m so sorry.”
Paige wraps her arms around me. Since she turned fifteen, she has surpassed me in height. It isn’t fair she gets to have Dad’s figure and Mom’s face. But it doesn’t matter more; I wouldn’t trade my life for hers. “I wish I could see this prince and if he really is as wonderful as you say. I want to see if he deserves you.”
“I am the one who doesn’t deserve him,” I say. “Before we got together, it’s him that makes more of an effort than I. He could have chosen a submissive girl, but instead he chose me. Someone who doesn’t hesitate to call him an idiot. Someone who treats him like he isn’t a prince.”
“That’s why he picked you,” Paige says. “Isn’t that what your romance novels are always talking about? Like, a billionaire falls in love with a girl who isn’t like other women.”
Mom gives me a fierce hug. “Promise that you’ll take care of yourself, baby.”