Page 82 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

"First cousin once removed," Lord Fallmartin says. "The Queen is my aunt. And that wouldn't be considered an issue, though the Queen would be difficult to convince. But it is irrelevant. While Crown Princess would have been an excellent title for you, I thought the preexisting relationship between you and the younger prince would make it much easier to get the King to agree."

"I see."

"And luckily for us, His Majesty readily did. He's pleased with the changes he's seen in Prince Lincoln since your arrival and is hoping that you'll make sure they continue. Which is what we need for House Rothorne. So whatever it is you're doing, keep doing it," he instructs.

"You want me to just...keep seeing Linc?" I shake my head. "Prince Lincoln," I correct myself, trying not to panic over all the times I've addressed him incorrectly. Though perhaps if it bothered him, he'd have already set me right about it.

"I don't know what you've been doing, Beatrice. Just do more of it."

"All right. Erm, may I be excused?" Because as much as there's a part of me that rebels against the idea of doing what I've just been told to, I really need to go and see Linc.

There's still a chance that none of what Lord Fallmartin is saying is true, but I don't think so. I can feel the truth deep within myself. All of the little things he's said suddenly make sense.

"You can go," Lord Fallmartin says. "Perhaps we can look through the list of your potential ladies-in-waiting tomorrow."

"I thought we were going to do that after Bastian's wedding?"

"I think we can move forward at a swifter pace," he responds, giving me a curious look that almost makes me think he's trying to figure me out, but I have more important things on my mind than what Lord Fallmartin wants from me.

And right now, that means going to find some answers.

SEVEN

My heart pounds as I race up the library stairs. I don't care if anyone sees me like this, I have too much on my mind to worry about what they think of me.

I'm out of breath by the time I get to the top, but don't let that deter me. I ignore the bookshelves lined with beautiful tomes, and head around the corner to get to Linc's private room.

I almost sigh with relief when I see his bodyguard waiting outside.

Only for that to be followed by feeling like an idiot because who has a bodyguard if they're not important?

Eric nods politely at me, and I return the gesture, barely able to focus on anything other than getting inside and talking to Linc.

For a brief moment, I consider barging into the room without announcing myself, but that seems a little cruel, especially when I don't know what I'm walking in on.

I knock twice and push the door open.

Linc looks up from his book, surprise written all over his face. "Beatrice, I wasn't expecting you today."

"You're a prince?" I mean to say more than that, or at least build up to it, but I can't when it's the only thing I can think of.

He frowns. "Yes? I thought you knew."

I let out a shaky breath and resist the urge to pace back and forth. "I didn't." Hope builds within me. "Who are you betrothed to?"

"Does it matter?" He closes his book and sets it down beside him, a serious expression on his face.

"Yes, Linc, it matters."

He looks at me a little confused. "Lord Fallmartin's daughter, I don't know her name."

"Beatrice," I whisper.

"Beatrice?" he repeats. "But that's..."

"Me," I finish for him.

"What?"