Page 57 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

A few hours later, Rose’s mother helped her into a different dress and recruited Thea to do her hair and makeup.

“I can’t believe how well this is working out,” her mother said, practically singing as she set out a pair of shoes, then moving to straighten out a red dress for her to wear. “I couldn’t have planned it all better myself.”

Rose rubbed her lips together after Thea put on a gloss. “Do you think his parents like me?”

Her mother took the dress off the hanger. “Oh yes! I just know they adore you. So much so, in fact, his father asked me today if it would be alright if we could have the ceremony as soon as possible. You’re going to be the mistress of Montague Manor, my dear.”

Rose’s smile lasted only a few seconds before her eyes fell to the vanity.

Her mother noticed the change. “Thea, could you give us a moment?”

Thea gave them a small bow and exited the room.

Her mother waited until she heard the door click shut. “Are you having second thoughts? Because if you are?—”

“No.” Rose cut her off before she could go off on a tangent. “I just—” Tears threatened to surface, but she swallowed them down. “I just wish it could’ve been him.”

Her mother’s face relaxed as she put the dress down on the bed. “I know,” she said tenderly. “I fear you’re about to learn one of the hardest lessons life has to offer—grieving the loss of someone who is still alive.”

Rose bit the inside of her cheek as she fiddled with a makeup brush. “When’s his wedding?” She looked at her mother in the reflection.

“It’ll be a quick affair, held here at the castle in two weeks,” her mother said.

Her head whipped toward her mother. “So soon?”

“I’m sure the king and queen are eager to secure the union, and the treaty… Tristan also asked for it to be a short engagement. I’m sorry; I would’ve told you sooner, only I didn’t want to ruin this special night for you.”

Rose strained to offer a smile. “Of course. I’m happy for him,” she lied through her teeth. Practice for later. When she’d have to pretend her guts hadn’t just been torn out.

Her mother looked her up and down once more, fixing a crease in her dress. “I’ve been waiting to see you settled for so long. I know this isn’t how you or I had thought it’d turn out, but I think this is finally where I see you be happy. You look beautiful, my dear.”

Rose gave her mother a gracious smile, ridding herself of unwanted thoughts.

“Now, go before he changes his mind,” her mother half teased.

The sand was still warm under her feet from the day’s heat.

The ocean waves rushed onto the light sand in gentle waves, reflecting the orange and pink glow from the retreating sun as she walked to where she’d agreed to meet Grant.

It wasn’t far from her spot with Tristan.

A pang stung at her heart. It wasn’t the spot she would have picked, but she couldn’t think of a place here that didn’t already have a memory attached.

Grant looked incredibly handsome in a red tunic lined with gold accents, matching her dress almost flawlessly—a note she was sure her mother had made. When she was close enough to see his face, she found he wasn’t smiling.

She offered him a small smile first, hoping it would ease his nerves. But to her dismay, his mouth stayed in a straight line. Her pace slowed.

“You look stunning,” Grant said, his eyes consuming her as he held out his hand, pulling her into him.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her heart pounding in nervous flutters.

Grant’s hand gripped hers tight as sighed loudly. “I know you expect a proposal tonight, Rose. And I want to—you have no idea how much I want to—but my parents found out you lied about your financial situation.”

Her mouth fell open in shock. “But how? Did you tell them?”

“No,” he answered with a sour expression. “But I bet it’ll only take you one guess to find out who did.”

The only other person she’d told was?—

“Tristan?” she questioned, hating how weak her voice sounded.

Grant gave her an aggravated nod.

She diverted her gaze, blinking back the moisture surging into her eyes. Her vision blurred.

“I’m so sorry. I tried to persuade them,” Grant said.

“You have no idea how hard I tried, but my parents won’t accept the union.

My father’s too much of a businessman to accept you when he and my mother have bet—” he switched his word choice, “—more advantageous matches for me. You understand I can’t go against them or I’ll have nothing to give you. ”

She nodded too quickly, a tear spilling out. She wiped it away. “No, of course. I was stupid to think we could keep it from them.”

His expression hardened. “Are you really trying to take the blame for this?” he asked furiously over the sea breeze.

“Don’t you understand what he’s done? He just ruined you, Rose.

Forget me. That arrogant bastard just ruined any chance of even a half-decent marriage because he can’t stand the fact that you didn’t choose him! ”

Her eyes fell.

She knew exactly what it meant.

“He means to have you stay here alone forever, while he gets married and lives his life right in front of you. I always knew he was scum. I thought he’d do the right thing when it came to you, but when he flaunted that girl in front of you, I knew he’d reached a new low.”

She gazed out at the sea, wishing the waves would swallow her whole. Her world was crumbling down stone by stone. She wrapped her arms around herself, taking in a deep breath of the cool breeze.

“I understand,” she replied softly.

“My parents insist we leave in the morning… I’ve not only embarrassed them by failing the succession, but now this.”

“I’m jealous.” She lifted her eyes to meet his as her voice cracked. “Your home sounded so lovely.”

He looked out into the ocean, then twisted sharply back. “Damn it all to hell, Rosalie. I never thought I could feel this way about anyone until you came along.”

It was a great compliment coming from him.

“I’m sorry I caused trouble between you and your parents,” she apologized after a slight pause. “It seems like I turned out to be another red mark after all.” She tried to give him a smile, but another tear slipped out instead.

Grant cursed, stepping forward to her with a determination she’d never seen.

“Listen to me,” he commanded. “Do whatever you can to get out of here. The longer you stay here, the worse it’ll be for you.

I know how strong you are, but a place like this, with him—it will corrode you.

I care too much about you to let you wither away here.

Promise me you’ll do everything you can to leave. Promise me .”

She would. For her sake as much as his.

“I promise.”

He looked at her with all the care in the world as he leaned down and kissed her for the last time. Ironically, it was the first time she found herself savoring his lips.

“Take care of yourself, Rose.” Grant caressed her cheek, reluctantly dropping her hand as he turned and retreated from the beach, leaving her alone yet again.

Her mother couldn’t fathom it, shocked beyond belief when Rose returned from the beach in tears. She told her everything—how Tristan had betrayed her, how the secret they’d fought so hard to keep hidden was now exposed. Her tears streamed like an endless river.

“You were right, Mum,” she ended, ashamed. “I should’ve never told Tristan.”

Her mother’s shoulders slumped, her eyes searching for some solution, but from her lack of words, Rose doubted she could find one. Another rare occasion indeed.

“No need to dwell on it now. We’ll just have to find you another suitor,” her mother said with a bite of her lip.

She paced. “There are plenty more who will still accept you, I’m sure.

The letters I sent out should get a reply soon.

In the meantime, I’ll speak to the king and queen.

I’m sure they’ll have something to say about this. ”

And that was the end of the discussion.

It was days before they heard any replies.

Every single potential suitor had sent their regrets.

Some said their sons had already found a match, or they claimed they couldn’t make the trip.

Every letter that reached them was more and more disheartening.

The queen had done everything she could to remedy the situation, but it seemed as though the rumors had spread faster than any repair could happen.

Rose kept herself busy by either studying in the library, riding on the beach, or walking through the gardens—anything to keep her from the grand hall.

She woke at the crack of dawn each day to train alone, determined to keep up with her drills and footwork. The only time she felt in control was when the sword Zareb had given her was in her hands. The castle became more and more like a prison with every day that passed.

It’d been a week, and still, no suitor would agree to see her.

“This is ridiculous,” her mother stated one afternoon, throwing yet another rejection letter into the fireplace.

“Not a single one of them has agreed to even come to the castle. Even with our lack of wealth, the king and queen are willing to pay a hefty sum to any who would marry you. Even so, your beauty should’ve had some heads turn.

I even sent invitations to men old enough to be your father, and still nothing.

This is absurd. It’s as if…” Her mother stopped.

Rose could guess what she was thinking. “It’s as if Tristan is abusing his power, commanding any potential suitor to stay away to punish me?”

“Precisely,” her mother huffed, collapsing onto the chair. Her frustrated expression morphed to hopelessness. “Oh, Rose, I don’t know what to do. If we don’t get him to back down… I’m afraid I underestimated him entirely.”

“I could try to speak with him?”

Her mother’s gaze flashed sharply at hers. “What could you possibly say to get him to change his mind?”

Rose rubbed at her temples. “I don’t know.”

“Exactly. We’ll just have to try harder, that’s all. We still have time to find another suitor. Perhaps we can come up with something between the two of us.”

Rose wasn’t holding her breath.