Page 52 of Crowned In Sin

“And…she is happy, living inland? Is it helping her?”

“I believe so,” Prince Jasper answers, a certain sadness in his eyes. “I do not know if she will ever want to return here for great portions of the year.”

“Do you wish she would?”

He hesitates. “Yes, I think I would prefer it, for us all to be together again. I think it would bring her more comfort than she knows. With you and a growing family. A wife and princess to heal this family… I think it will mend pieces of her heart as well and bring joy back to our kingdom much in need of it.”

“I hope so,” I tell him, feeling as bold as I did after the ball. “I am hopeful to get to know your mother and father. I cannot help but wish my own mother were here to be part of the wedding ceremony, and…and see my happiness. The happiness you’ve both given me.” I’m gentle and quieter with my last sentence and Isabel has the good sense not to let on that she heard it. Casen peers at her first and then back at me, with a nod of his head in understanding.

“Ah,” Prince Jasper says, softer. “Do you think you would be happy after such a ceremony?”

“I do,” I tell him, grinning. “I will. Is there anything else you’d like to show us now, while we wait for our things to be brought up?” I ask, giving him a wide smile. “I’m sure there is much more to see in a castle as beautiful as this.”

“I am not sure there is anything to match your beauty,” he says, “but if you wish, Princess, I will try.”

Prince Jasper lingers over more of the art on the walls. He tells us of the master craftsman who laid down the tiles in the bathing room, then painted them to make it look as if the fish have swum up from the sea and joined us in the bath.

Isabel shudders. “Is there…a bathing area without such tiles? They are beautiful indeed, and I appreciate the craft, but⁠⁠—”

“There is,” Prince Jasper answers gallantly. “Just through here. There are several areas, Princess, and of course the servants can bring water to the bathing area in your private rooms. I promise you, there are no such tiles to be found there.”

“I am happy to hear it,” Isabel says, blushing. I know this isn’t because she has suddenly developed feelings for Prince Jasper. It is only that she has a fear of fish and swimming things. “When I was a child, I was swimming in a pond on our lands, and something quite large brushed against my foot. I have never quite recovered from the feeling.”

I smirk at her and her smile widens. “Maybe it’s foolish but I do prefer my baths separate from the creatures of the sea.”

“I can assure you that you will not be pressured into any ponds,” Prince Jasper promises with humor. “However, you might enjoy the salt baths we offer, though of course there is no rush.”

It’s then we hear the arrival of footsteps and a young man appears. He clears his throat, “My Lords,” he starts, donning the uniform I’ve come to expect from the palace page. The page comes to bring a message. He delivers it in a quiet voice to both princes. Prince Casen nods, though he is not the one who turns to speak to us.

“Your things have been delivered to your rooms and unpacked,” Prince Jasper says. “We thought you might enjoy some time to yourselves to bathe and change for an early dinner.”

“Yes,” Isabel agrees immediately. “I would like that very much.”

We meander back through the castle. Prince Jasper stops to greet many people, giving them a word of praise or some small task to do for him. The stewards we encounter seem glad to see both princes, and Prince Jasper’s care of them does not seem to be a performance for my benefit. It seems the two princes have formed a family here, despite the king and queen living elsewhere.

Prince Jasper shows Isabel to her room first, and Prince Casen ducks away, nodding to us as he goes. Then Prince Jasper comes to the doorway to my room, but does not step inside.

“It’s beautiful here,” I tell him. “I’m glad you invited me. I’m glad to be here.”

“I’m glad you came,” he replies, and presses a kiss to my cheek. “These rooms are here for you and Isabel for as long as you wish to stay. And I must admit, Princess…I hope it is not a short visit. I hope you make this castle your home. Whatever you need, you will have it.”

Chapter 24

Cora

The refreshing bath and a change of clothes were everything I needed. It’s almost as if I am a different person. Or as if I am on my way to becoming the woman I am meant to be. For some reason, I have the feeling it is more likely here, in this castle by the sea, that I’m my true self more than it was when I was living in my own kingdom.

My father has always been good to me. My desire to defy him was more about my own wish for freedom than it was about rebellion. Here, where Jasper and Casen grew up, I don’t feel the memories of childhood weighing on me. There are no constant reminders of my mother, who I loved so dearly and who I was forever compared to.

I love her and miss her dearly, but I am ready to live my life as a woman she’ll never get to know. But one I think she would have been so proud of.

In my room, there are a set of doors leading out to a balcony. In the evening, the sea breeze gently caresses my face. The sun is only just beginning to set. The beautiful shades of orange and pink are a sight to see. One I’ve never witnessed before. And there are so many more sunsets left to see. We still have many long days of summer left, and I am certain that the timing must have been determined by fate. I know there are the same number of hours in the day all year long, but people retreat during the winter, sleeping more and staying away from the cold, so even now the earth is encouraging us to be alert and awake, to spend time together.

After a moment of quiet contemplation to myself, I knock on the door that connects to Isabel’s room once I am settled in my thoughts.

“Come in, Cora,” she calls, sounding cheerful and relaxed. The handle is an intricately carved iron and even that small touch I love. Again, I’ve never seen a handle so different from our own. I go through into her rooms and find her putting on earrings at a white vanity that spans most of one corner. It’s so perfect for her that I wonder for a few minutes if the princes spent time learning about her, too, so that she might have every comfort during our stay. “This castle is heaven,” she says, meeting my eyes in the mirror. “When I return home, I will have to suggest to Philip that we visit.”

“If I stay,” I reply, trying out the idea on my closest friend first, “then you must come and visit often. You cannot be a stranger and leave me to my own devices. I’m not interested in a life that leaves behind my dearest friends.”