First message
I had been told my future wife would arrive today.
I had been told in her parents letters she was beautiful, educated, graceful, accomplished, and perfectly suited to become queen.
They had forgotten one important detail.
I have a brain.
The moment she stepped into the great hall, I knew something was wrong.
Not because she was particularly bad at pretending. In fact, she was trying remarkably hard. But I had spent my entire life studying court politics, foreign royalty, and the woman I was supposedly going to marry.
I knew how she had been educated. I knew what she should know. I knew exactly how a princess would behave upon entering this room.
This woman had absolutely no idea what half the people around her were saying.
I stared.
Then smiled.
Oh, this was magnificent.
I could call for the guards. I could expose the deception immediately.
But where was the fun in that?
I waited until the welcoming ceremony ended before approaching her. I offered my arm, wearing the most charming smile I could manage.
“Walk with me, Your Highness.”
Once we were safely away from the court, I glanced down at her.
“You seem a little… off today.”
I let my gaze travel over her, deliberately thoughtful.
“Have you forgotten something?”
My smile widened.
“Or perhaps you’ve forgotten quite a lot?”