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“Yeah…yeah I’m fine.” I took another step around her, and this time, she mimicked my movement. And all of a sudden, déjà vu hit me. The last time I circled something like this was a lion in the mountains of the rebel camp. And that’s exactly what it felt like. Like Marissa was the most elegant predatory cat alive, and we were dancing a circle of death.

“Glad to hear it.” Once again, the words were emotionless.

Hell, now I knew where Wes got all his serious, stone-cold, stoic BS from. He definitely came by it honestly. I was ready to take the nearest exit out of whatever the hell this was. “Well, I…I’m going to head back to my room since I don’t feel good. Have a nice dinner.” I turned to face the hall, ready to book it as quickly down to my room as I could—

“Mara?”

I froze in place. But when she didn’t say anything after a few seconds, I slowly turned around to face her. “Yes?”

“A lady doesn’t leave the table in the middle of dinner without properly excusing herself. Especially with guests present, and especially when herengagement,” she placed extra emphasis onthe word, “is being discussed.” Marissa’s words came out cool this time. Less like a lecture or the instructional words of a mentor, and more like the disdain of a disappointed stepparent. And suddenly, I felt right at home in the most horrible way.

An old, sinking feeling slowly crept back into my gut. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better next time.” I wanted out.Neededout. Just as I was about to turn again, she called me once more.

“Mara…”

I gulped, but rolled my shoulders back as I lifted my gaze to her calculating one. “Yes?”

“As long as you remain engaged to my son, you will remember your position.”

My brows knitted together. What was that supposed to mean? “I don’t—”

“As the future lady of this house,” she cut in sharply, “you will conduct yourself in a way that honors him and this family.”

Okay, now I was really confused. Were we still talking about dinner? I opened my mouth to question again, but she continued.

“I don’t want to hear of male visitors going to your sleeping quarters again.”

Heat flushed my cheeks. “Oh, Mrs. Calvernon, he’s a friend and—”

“Neveragain,” she emphasized. “A lady in your position should know how things look from the outside, no matter what the truth may be. It’s aboutoptics, Miss de la Puente. And you will learn to always keep optics in mind for as long as you remain the future First Lady of the North.”

I slowly exhaled, feeling rotten and judged. I nodded in agreement.

“Good. Now that that’s settled, you are excused.”

The dismissal felt more like a rejection, but I didn’t move. Keeping my eyes on her, I stated the obvious truth lingering between us. “You don’t want me to marry him.”

Her eyes glistened then. “No.”

I knew the answer, but it didn’t stop it from stinging. “Then why agree to it? Why agree to him marrying me?”

Marissa exhaled slowly through her nose, and then spoke. “Charles has grand aspirations for the North. Let’s just say my opinion didn’t matter.”

Oof!I kind of felt bad for her. She was Wes’s mom. She deserved to have a say. But her thoughts didn’t matter. Not when expanding an empire was on the line.

“I’m sorry.” The words left my mouth before I had a chance to even think them through. But no sooner did I say it, I knew I meant it. Iwassorry. I was sorry for her. I was sorry for Wes. I was sorry for myself. “I-I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.”

“Oh,” she said with an emotionless smile, “it’s too late for that.”

Ouch… If I didn’t feel like I was back in Telvia before, I definitely felt like it now. I had no response for her. Not one. I just nodded, acknowledging the insult, and took it in. I turned to leave.

“Mara?”

Oh no…what now?I inhaled deeply, mustering my courage to look back at her again. “Yes?”

Marissa stood up taller, tipping her chin as she looked at me under hooded eyes. The effect made her look meek and shy, but I was quickly learning better. “I already lost one son to you and your family. I don’t plan on losing another.”

I frowned. What was that supposed to mean? “Is that a threat?”