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Calix shook his head. “I am so sorry, Teigra. I should never have agreed to her plan.”
Teigra scowled, picturing the mocking, raven-haired face. “Zosime did this?”
“Zosime? Ardor, no. If it was up to her, I would have shouted the truth from the rooftop years ago. She thinks I could rule even as I am. This was Mother’s idea. She said that with Father the way he is, that the time had come to fulfill my duties. To return to my role as the champion. As the hero. And after the Wax Crack... after you kissed me...”
Teigra nodded. It was all so obvious.
“Of course. It was too good an opportunity to turn down. It couldn’t have been one of the local girls. You’d been around them for decades without showing any romantic interest. Why now, they would say. A contrived courtship, all for the sake of duty?”
“The ultimate insult to Ardor.”
“But a young woman from distant lands? Sweeping in suddenly with her strange ways? Showing you the joy you’d lost?”
Yes, people would believe that. They’d want to believe that. Princes aren’t supposed to be miserable. That doesn’t fit the story.
“And instead of saving me, I found a kind young woman to exploit.”
She patted his arm. “You did what you had to do. For your people. For your family.”
Calix stared with disbelief. “How can you be so forgiving?”
“How can I be angry at someone who puts the happiness of others before their own?”
They walked in silence along the balcony, the necks of every other attendee at the ball craning to see them wherever they went. Craning to be part of some magical story.
If only they knew.
“And so, what was to be the plan,” she asked. “A whirlwind romance, marriage in record time, and then? Would people not ask about the matter of an heir?”
“That part would cause no challenge—it never has. But I have no intention of siring children. I know the punishment for bearing a child absent any passion for their existence,” he said bitterly. “Zosime is strong and brave. Whatever offspring she sires will be worthy heirs for House Viralis.”
“I thought princes would sooner see their polity perish than their siblings on the throne.”
“Why? She would lead all the fighters of the land into battle in my name. She would die for me without a moment’s thought. And she would make a far better monarch than me.”
“You wouldn’t just abdicate for her?”
“And disgrace my family name? Cause a civil war between Reds and Greens over who should rule? It may look calm, but there are six generations of resentment in this city, just waiting to be released. They would use an abdication to contest the throne. My people are relying on me to do my duty and keep things stable. My family is relying on me. Everyone is relying on me! And yet, I cannot do what they want! I cannot be what they want! And I cannot do that to you. To force you to live a lie, just to save my own faults? I won’t allow it!”
Calix was resolute. His intentions were plain.
And in that moment, clear as the night, the paths were laid before her.
She could do nothing, as she was expected to do. She could comfort Calix and forgive his trickery. She could leave his side and return to the embassy, helping Ms. Securia prepare for a siege in which most of Mestibes would die.
Or...
Her hands shook.
Could she really be contemplating this?
It wasn’t what Ms. Securia wanted.
It wasn’t what the senate wanted. They wanted purity in Mesti’s name—to seek friendship without asking anything in return.
But that isn’t what friendship is! Friendship is helping each other in times of need!
Calix was a good man. He couldn’t bring himself to exploit her.
