TA

hall. My grandmother, Gwendolyn, my mother, Evelyn, and Justine were

hen she looked at me, however, her eyes turned instantly cold. She had alway

no room for argument, "Justine has a proposal rega

aze with a look of profound pity,

patient care." She paused, letting out a dramatic, self-deprecating sigh. "I am far too flighty and easily startled. I am clumsy and prone to making a fuss over the smallest things. I fear my restless nature would onl

d herself as a self-aware, dutiful daughter while pushin

ht. She is too spirited to be confined to a sickro

To him, sending his less favored daughter to a dying prince to fulfill a duty, whil

voice trembling with rage. "Aleta is only fifteen! Ho

my father snapped. "This is

reassuring look. I turned to face my father, keeping my posture st

ering. "If this is what the family requires, I am willi

ilence. A flicker of triumphant joy flashed

sk if you have considered how the royal family will perceive this sudden switch. Prince B

brows drawing together. "Wh

." I turned back to my father, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. "If the royal court learns that the Prince's original intended bride was publicly entangled with another Alpha, how will they react? They will undoubtedly feel disrespected, perhaps even cuckolded

family's honor and political standing were paramount. I could tell the realization had just hit him

undeniable logic silenced her. Justine's face went from white to red and back again. The sheer shock o

rely friends..." she stammered, h

orm the palace that Aleta has been chosen for her steady temperament." He pointed a furious finger at Justine. "And you are forbidden from any private

frantically, the smugness c

dy shaking with worry, but I just soothed he

my room, slamming the door behind h

issed, her eyes burning with a cold fire. "Don

canvas of confusion. "Sister, what are you

. My performance was flawless. To her, I had to look like jus

e river, what you said in the council meeting... th

at the floor. "And... the matter is settled. I only accepted. Surely,

lish as her is absolutely aware that the fu

get too comfortable. You'll be crying soon enough, m