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Chapter 8

When the servant escorts me to the table, Dad and Mrs. Middlebrooks are already sitting together. She’s changed from her academy shirt to a really low-cut burgundy dress and has her hair up into a twist that resembles a crown. She’s so close to my dad, she’s practically on his lap. They don’t even notice me until the servant clears his throat and announces my arrival.

Dad kisses my hand as I sit. “How was your day?”

I glare at Mrs. Middlebrooks. “It’s been a little challenging, but nothing I can’t handle.”

She gives a pinched smile.

“Good, good.” He turns back to Middlebrooks. “We were just discussing the wedding.”

My turn for a pinched smile. “Have you decided on a date yet?”

“It will take some planning, but we’re eager to make things official.”

Two servants arrive. One places plates filled with mouthwatering cakes in front of each of us and the other gives each of us a flute of champagne before taking off without a word. I dig in, hoping the sugar will help me feel better.

Mrs. Middlebrooks leans closer to him, practically falling out of her dress. “We’re going to have a summer wedding.”

I choke on my cake. “So soon?”

Dad chuckles and strokes her hand. “We aren’t getting any younger, even though Daphne looks like she is.”

She giggles then leans over and kisses him passionately.

No words come. I just stare at them, hardly able to believe any of this. Maybe the Queen Sirena fate isn’t so bad. Dad sure doesn’t care about me. If he did even in the slightest, he wouldn’t put on this display in front of me. Especially not so soon after sending Mom away.

I finally clear my throat. “So, why am I here?”

Dad pulls away, though his gaze lingers on his fiancée for a moment before looking at me. “We want to discuss the wedding with you.”

“Oh, I’m sure Mrs. Middlebrooks doesn’t want my input—”

“Daphne,” she corrects. “We’re family, dear.”

How many times in one day can she leave me speechless?

She gives me a syrupy smile. “You only need to call me Mrs. Middlebrooks at the academy.”

Dad feeds her a piece of his cake before turning back to me. “We’d like you to be the mermaid of honor for the ceremony.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, of course. We make our marriage vows, then we’ll have some family vows. Then Daphne will become your mother.”

I choke again. “You mean stepmother. Mom is my mother.”

He sips from his flute. “You’ll never see her again. What you need is someone to train you in the way of the queen. A mother.”

I set my fork down to keep from choking again. “Can I just focus on my studies? Won’t that prepare me well enough?”

“In many ways, yes. But you’re the only heir to the throne in the entire student body. There will hardly be classes to prepare you for that. Hence, your new mother.”

Middlebrooks—I mean, Daphne—smiles sweetly. “Of course I won’t try to replace Emery, but I will need to slip into her role in order for you to have the proper training.”

Hearing her speak my mom’s name makes my blood boil. I really wish Queen Sirena hadn’t killed her dad.

“I wouldn’t expect you to try and replace her. Nobody can.” I narrow my eyes.