Page 34 of Crown of the Courtesan

They can hate me all they want, but if I can change the laws so that courtesans aren’t forced into this life… then maybe, just maybe, it’ll all be worth it when little girls have a choice for their future.

I take long strides down the street when Captain Wellcrest’s careful voice joins the sound of my feet on the cobblestones. “Did you accomplish your task?”

“As done as it’ll ever be.”

“If you wish to return, you need only let me know. We could arrange carriages, or we could keep it private like tonight.”

Stabbed by the sharp point of loneliness, I’m overcome with the urge to walk by Lir’s cottage and see if he’s home, but that’s not a road I want to travel with Captain Wellcrest on my heels. So instead, I press the smooth metal of the letter opener between my palms and move forward.

Sixteen

Fresh air whips my face as Klara joins me in the late king’s turret chamber, where the wall opens to meet the bright blue sky.

The place where it all changed for me.

Now it’s where we hide away from the world.

We gaze through the telescope overlooking the bustling city as the foliage shimmers in vibrant shades of pale yellows, stark oranges, and angry reds that mix with the ruby-colored tiled roofs and thatched cottages spreading in every direction.

On the far edge of the rounded Alexandrian Bay, the waves teem with sea vessels of varying sizes, dotting the water like fish caught in a net. Klara gasps, “So many ships are arriving! Did you see the envoy from the Solarian Isles?”

Tilting my head, I only half-listen as I study the laborers building grandstands for the crowds to watch my upcoming coronation procession. After weeks of preparation and waiting, I can’t believe today is finally happening.

I’m actually going through with it.

“Are you nervous?” Klara asks, breaking my reverie as she plops into a chair.

I consider denying it, but instead admit, “I’ve been trying to prepare by studying those textbooks Mistress Wella gave me.” I survey the tower of neglected books on the circular table across the room. “But I’m afraid reading a few pages here and there isn’t the same as a life devoted to learning governance.”

“You won’t be alone. I’ll help just like we discussed in the council meeting.” She pauses as I frown. “Hey, you stood up to the High Lords this morning, and if you can stand up to them, you can run this kingdom.”

I let out a huff of air and readjust the knobs on the telescope. “And Balor Black is probably plotting his revenge as we speak.”

Not knowing I’m serious, Klara throws her strawberry tresses back, laughs, and covers her mouth with a lace-gloved hand as she leans into the cushions. “My father was a brilliant shade of perplexed when you named me your advisor. I’ll never forget his nostrils flaring so wide I could count his nose hairs.”

Memories of the hours-long meeting rush back when I remember how they pressed me for my signature on documents I couldn’t even begin to comprehend. Pages and pages of minuscule writing, drafted in the technical language of the military. The thought anchors a prickly thorn in my stomach. “Do you think I was too hasty in approving those battle and raid plans?”

Klara looks thoughtful. “The war has been going on for hundreds of years. You didn’t start it, so stop feeling guilty about protecting our people and our kingdom.”

“Easier said than done,” I tell her.

“I wouldn’t worry. At least you’re on the offensive with the Witch-King. We don’t need our side to lose any more than we already have. It might ruin your marriage prospects.”

I bark a laugh and then give a slight cough. “You should know I plan to refuse to marry, so that shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Never?”

“Never.”

Crestfallen, she says, “Well… at least consider it for my sake. I’m not going to lie; it would be nice to be knocked down the line of succession a bit. That way, my father can finally lose any hope he might harbor for my ascension. He’s driving me mad with his temper about this entire ordeal. Next month, I fear it’ll only worsen when I come of age.”

I bite my lip until it stings. Right before my coronation is not the time to tell her I plan to abdicate. It will have to wait longer still.

I avoid meeting her eyes. “I’m not marrying without love, and love is a fairytale used to lure women to their eventual demise. It’s not like those romance novels I gave you. Those men are imaginary. Real men are monsters once they have you helpless.”

Klara slowly smiles, an adorable dimple showing in one of her plump cheeks as she returns to the telescope. “There are a couple of monsters I wouldn’t mind falling for. And anyway, Finn isn’t like that at all.”

A resigned sigh escapes my lips.