Page 17 of The Marked Princess

He caressed the side of her face with his hand, tracing her lower lip with his thumb.

“Marry me, Josselyn. Say yes.”

She opened her mouth to do just that but the words caught in her throat. Her eyes drifted back toward the castle, and a hollow ache settled in her chest. He doesn't want you. Edmund does. She squeezed her eyes shut, berating her traitorous heart. You have to marry anyway, and here is a man who sees you as more than just a crown to be won. He loves you. It's the right choice.

She opened her mouth once again, and this time the words flowed out on a whispered breath.

“Yes.”

“Yes?” Edmund lifted Josselyn off her feet, laughing as he twirled her around in the air. His excitement was contagious, and she soon found herself laughing along with him.

“Set me down, you goon. People are starting to stare.”

He grinned. “And why shouldn't they stare? This is a momentous occasion, after all.” He set her down, and she smoothed her skirts, making a face at him as she did so.

“Why do I feel like I'm going to regret this decision?”

“You're not. But, just in case you get cold feet, perhaps we should share the news with your father straightaway.” He held out his arm. “I don't want to take any chances on you changing your mind.”

She snorted, but took the proffered arm. “How very romantic of you.”

“I try.”

He led her across the terrace and back through the castle doors. Her heart stuttered as they passed Alex, standing sentry beside those same doors, and her stomach twisted in knots at the thought of him watching Edmund propose to her. She let her eyes flicker to his face, which was like a blank slate, devoid of any outward emotion.

It doesn't matter, either way. You're engaged to Edmund now. You have to let him go.

Inhaling a long, slow breath, she turned her head to face the dais, focusing her attention on her father, who watched her approach with a tender smile on his lips. He held out his arms to her as Edmund led her up the steps, and she released her hold on Edmund's arm, falling into her father's embrace with a sudden surge of emotion. He placed a gentle kiss against her hair before releasing her and letting his gaze fall on Edmund, who took a knee, his head bowed in reverence.

“You have something to ask me, I expect?”

Edmund looked up and nodded. “I would like to respectfully request your daughter's hand in marriage, Your Majesty.”

Her father raised his eyebrows. “And my daughter has agreed to this proposal?”

Edmund's face lit up as he answered, a grin pulling at the sides of his mouth. “She has, Your Majesty.”

Her father's face broke into a matching grin, and he motioned for Edmund to rise before clapping him on the shoulder.

“Well done, Sir Edmund. I approve.”

He turned to face the crowd of onlookers, everyone craning their necks to see what was happening. Raising his hand for silence, his booming voice filled the ballroom, demanding everyone's attention.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce the engagement of my daughter, Princess Josselyn deLure, crown princess and future queen of Eldour, to the noble Sir Edmund Brandt.”

Cheers rang out through the room, with everyone pushing forward to congratulate the newly engaged couple. Prince Stefan made his way over, flanked on either side by several of his noblemen. A hush fell over the people standing closest, but the prince gave the couple a benevolent smile.

“An excellent choice, Your Highness. I look forward to working with the two of you for many years to come.”

Josselyn raised her eyebrows in surprise, but bit her tongue before she said something snarky that she'd later regret. Her father inclined his head in the prince's direction.

“That is most generous of you to say.”

The prince grinned and waved over to a servant who was holding a bottle of wine. Taking the bottle from his hands, he held it out toward the king's empty glass.

“I believe a toast is in order, don't you?”

The king held out his glass, allowing the prince to fill it. He raised it in the air, and the others in the room soon followed his lead, holding their glasses up toward Josselyn and Edmund.