He Objects

Chapter 7: Way Out

"This is absolutely preposterous!" Felix roared, rattling the windows. I cringed, hoping that the room was soundproof. "I know what this is, don't think you're fooling anyone."

My eyes widened and I shrank back. I had no idea what Felix was referring to, but his words had an affect on Prince Henri, who frowned at him.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about," Prince Henri said, an edge to his voice for the first time during the whole conversation. However, he remained cordial. "I want our houses to have a good relationship, cousin. Do forgive the inconvenience."

Felix glowered at the prince. I was starting to find it odd how the prince was choosing to address the duke and dowager duchess. By referring to them as his cousin and aunt, he was claiming them as extended members of the royal family. But, subsequently, he was stripping them of their noble titles. In between the lines were the words: know your place. Except, I wasn't quite sure why it was necessary in the first place.

"Please excuse me, Your Royal Highness," the long forgotten bishop said. "Are you unable to give a specific reason for your objection to the union?"

Prince Henri's silver eyes flashed. "I believe I said there are aspects of the union that are of concern to the crown. What more reason do you need?"

"None, Your Highness," the bishop said meekly. "I'll go inform the congregation."

"Wait," Felix said. Then he turned to me. "This doesn't have to change anything," he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

I stared back with wide eyes. "What?"

He lifted my hand and brushed his lips across my knuckles. I shivered, though I couldn't tell the reason why. "We've known each other for years, Lady Charlotte," he murmured. "This does not have to be a union of convenience." His voice dropped to a sultry whisper as he leaned in close. "We could always elope."

It was all I could do to keep my mouth from gaping open in shock. What? A jolt of unease ran through me. Here I was, on the brink of not being bound to this distant man for life—a feeling I thought was mutual—and now he seemed to want to marry me, after all? Like so much else about the situation, it didn't seem quite right.

Behind him, Prince Henri cleared his throat, and I snapped back to my senses. As much as I was capable of, anyway. Glancing at the tall, broad-shouldered prince, I felt grounded, somehow, more centered. He was, after all, providing me with a delay, if not a complete escape from my arranged union with Felix. Something I never dreamed was possible. I didn't know if it was temporary or permanent, but if at the very least this incident resulted in Felix warming up to me as a spouse, it would be an improvement over what I had before. But I found myself still unhappy at the thought of being wed to Felix. He had been so consistently apathetic towards me to this point. Why should I expect things to change, despite the warmth injected into his inviting words just moments ago? It was more likely he would return to how he was before, or worse.

It was that thought that led me to my decision. Prince Henri was giving me a way out. I would do whatever I could to take it. I looked back at Felix. My mouth felt incredibly dry. "I'm sorry, Your Grace, but the prince has voiced the crown's concerns. I wouldn't feel comfortable opposing their wishes."

Off to the side, Duchess Gretchen sighed, defeated. My mother whimpered, her last hopes to salvage the day crumbling away. My father looked ashen. The bishop dithered by the door, clearly unsure whether he should officially cancel the proceedings even after being ordered to do so by Prince Henri. Felix looked like he wanted to say more, but he only squeezed my hands before reluctantly releasing them. I subtly stretched out my fingers.

"W-what happens now?" I said, unable to bear the silence any longer.

"I will be leading the inquiry into your father's holdings, Lady Charlotte," Prince Henri said gently. "It should not take long. And then the matter of your betrothal will be settled, one way or the other."

Felix snorted under his breath.

"But Your Highness," my mother cried out, "Charlotte needs to marry! If the betrothal is dissolved now, what shall we do? Her reputation will be tarnished! We won't be able to find another suitable match."

"My apologies, Lady Harriet," Prince Henri said, bowing slightly. "I didn't mean to cause you undue stress. I didn't mean that the result of the inquiry would determine whether or not Lady Charlotte remains betrothed."

"Oh," my mother sighed with relief. Then her brows wrinkled in confusion. "I'm afraid I don't quite follow."

"Here we go," Felix muttered mutinously.

"Depending on the results of the inquiry," Prince Henri said, ignoring Felix completely. "Lady Charlotte will either be betrothed to Felix, as before," he turned his gaze on me and I felt my stomach riot with butterflies. "...Or she will become betrothed to me."