Brother

The next morning, I went with Adrian to visit Queen Mother Helena’s tomb.

Marina wanted to come.

Adrian refused.

Good.

Queen Mother had never liked her.

On the carriage steps, Adrian offered me his hand.

I pretended not to see it and climbed in myself.

Then I lifted the curtain.

“Maya, come sit with me. The imperial tomb is far. Walking would tire your legs.”

Maya entered.

Which left Adrian sitting opposite us.

I leaned my head on Maya’s shoulder and slept through most of the ride.

Petty?

Again, yes.

At the tomb, I asked Adrian for privacy.

“I wish to speak to Mother alone.”

Once he left, I knelt before the stone tablet.

My hand moved over the carved name.

“Mother,” I whispered, “your daughter is unfilial.”

The wind moved softly through the pines.

“I cannot fulfill your wish.”

I bowed three times.

“You saved my life. Gave me a name. Fed me, taught me, let me be willful when no one else would have permitted it.”

My throat tightened.

“If there is another life, I will repay you then.”

Because in this life, I could not marry her son.

Not anymore.

When we returned to the palace, news came that Marina had caused another disturbance.

Adrian looked at me.

I smiled politely.

“Your Majesty should go to her. I am tired.”

So considerate.

So perfect.

He looked almost touched.

“Then I will see you later.”

No, thank you.

That evening, Maya came back from the kitchens carrying food and gossip.

“Lady Marina’s maid tried to put something in His Majesty’s wine.”

“What kind of something?”

Maya’s ears reddened.

“You know. That kind.”

I understood.

Marina was desperate.

Adrian had not visited her properly in some time.

I tapped the table.

“Maya.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“I know that look.”

“Can you get more of that powder?”

“Of course.”

“Good. When you fetch dessert for me, make sure His Majesty’s wine is… properly strengthened.”

Maya blinked.

Then grinned.

“As my lady commands.”

That night, Adrian remained in Marina’s palace.

The next morning, he came to see me with guilt written across his face.

“Selene,” he said, “I was passing by.”

“Passing by?”

His expression stiffened.

“I mean, I came to see whether you were well.”

I looked down.

“So His Majesty only came because I was on the way.”

“No, I—”

I raised my eyes, carefully bright with hurt.

“I heard His Majesty stayed with Lady Marina last night.”

“Servants gossip too much.”

“But it is true.”

He said nothing.

I smiled sadly.

“Your Majesty, let us dissolve the marriage arrangement.”

His face changed at once.

“No.”

“Why?”

“It was Mother’s wish.”

“Mother also wished that I alone would be your wife.”

He flinched.

“Selene—”

“You told her I was like a sister to you,” I said softly. “Let your sister bless your marriage with the woman you love.”

At that exact moment, Marina burst in.

Perfect timing.

“Adrian,” she cried, “you promised to marry me! I have already given myself to you!”

I looked at Adrian.

“See? You have already wronged one woman. Must you wrong another?”

His pride cornered him faster than any blade.

His face hardened.

“Then from this day, my marriage arrangement with Princess Selene is dissolved. She may marry freely.”

I lowered my eyes so he would not see my smile.

A king’s word could not be taken back.

Not when spoken before witnesses.

I had my freedom.

Now I only needed Azar to come claim it.