He Objects

Chapter 11: That's What You Are

"S-stop teasing," I stammered, coming to my senses and jerking back. Shadow whinnied in annoyance.

The prince studied my face for a moment, then sighed. "I'm not, but I won't press the issue."

I stared at him dumbfounded. "I'm afraid this conversation has only served to confuse me."

"I apologize," he said sincerely. "I wish I could clarify everything for you, but I can't just yet."

I nudged Shadow forward again, unsure how to respond. The water was uncharacteristically ruffled this morning, waves lapping at the side of the trail. "You said you couldn't clarify everything," I began. "But can you clarify anything? Even something small?"

"Like what, exactly?"

I pondered for a minute. He was obviously skilled at keeping his thoughts and feelings masked. Far much more than I. What could I ask that he would possibly consider answering?

"What do you remember about me?" I asked finally. I had little hope that he would say anything, but he surprised me.

"I remember giving you my handkerchief at that garden party," he said, the corner of his mouth tipping up slightly in a half-smile.

My eyes widened. "You do?"

He smiled wider, and it changed his whole face. Suddenly I was that young girl again, breathless from the prince's attention. "You were charming."

I shook my head, looking out over the marsh so that he couldn't see my expression. "I can't believe you remember that. I was so embarrassed."

"The party was dull otherwise," the prince said simply. "You made it different."

"I'm glad I provided some entertainment value," I said dryly.

He laughed, a pleasant chuckle that seemed to tickle my skin. "I suppose you could say that."

"So you don't remember me from my debut," I said. "You only remember me as a girl, then? That one encounter?"

"I never said I didn't remember you at your debut."

My frustration was back instantaneously. "You just said you didn't remember!"

"I said I didn't remember making eye contact with you, not that I didn't remember seeing you at all," he said patiently.

"Now you're just splitting hairs," I accused.

Prince Henri sighed. "In truth? I forced myself not to make eye contact with you. With anybody. So you may have looked at me, but I was in all likelihood focused on a point on the wall just above your head."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "So...your way of fulfilling your mother's wishes without truly fulfilling them?"

"Exactly," he said promptly. "I know her intentions are for me to find a partner, but I can't help feeling like I'm being trotted out like a show pony."

The wrinkles on my forehead smoothed out as I glanced over at him in surprise. To hear those words, so similar to how I often felt lately, fostered a strange sense of companionship with him. Finding this one thing we had in common made him seem slightly more human.

We rode on in companionable silence for a while, the marsh spread out around us. I navigated a few turns, Prince Henri's horse half a step behind, until we were on our way back towards higher ground. "So, what happens now?" I asked. "Is it truly what you said yesterday? The outcome of my father's estate evaluation will determine whether I move forward with my betrothal to Felix, or whether I...become betrothed to you?" The words were difficult to speak out loud.

"Before I answer that, would you permit me to ask you a direct question?" Prince Henri asked, his voice full of such a sudden earnestness that I unconsciously reined Shadow in.

"You are the prince. Of course, you may ask me a question," I responded cautiously. That awareness of the distance between us—closing in once again—was once again acute.

He frowned a little, unhappy with my response. "Do you have feelings for Felix? Of a romantic nature?"

I blinked. Direct question, indeed. And completely inappropriate. I finally understood somewhat why he wanted to speak in private. "T-that's an intimate question. Do you really need to know?"

"Yes," he said harshly. "Please," he added softly. "I need to know."

Maybe it was how serious he was. Or how the breeze had kicked up again, tousling his hair. Or the way his eyes seemed to glow silver as he looked at me. But for whatever reason, I found myself answering honestly. "No," I murmured. "I don't. How could I have, when he was so cold to me?"

"He was cold to you?" Prince Henri asked abruptly, his eyes flashing dangerously.

Shocked into honesty again, I replied, "Yes. He didn't exactly treat me badly, but I never once thought I would receive a warm welcome when I joined his household."

The prince hissed through his teeth and looked away. "Well, then," he muttered sarcastically.

I squinted at him, at a loss. "Do you know what you are?"

"What?"

"An enigma. That's what you are."

His eyes widened, then he chuckled. "If you say so, Charlotte."

There it was again. My name, soft on his lips. "I answered your questions. Will you answer mine?" I ventured, my voice high.

Prince Henri grew serious again. "Right. The truth is, there are circumstances that prevent me from knowing the outcome of events. But I can tell you," he started, leaning towards me from his saddle, his voice dropping low, "it will have nothing to do with the value of your father's estate."

"It won't?" I whispered. Enigmatic though he was, he also seemed to emit some kind of mysterious magnetism that had me leaning in his direction, drawn to his face.

"It won't," he said firmly. "Don't forget that."

"Okay," I said quietly, even though I had no clue what he was talking about.

"And Charlotte?"

"Yes?"

"I don't want you betrothed to Felix. I want you betrothed to me."