Separate Crowns of One Heart

Tėn

Finally, the Seven Days are done and we are free of each other's company. The Prince wakes up early before sunup and leaves without a word to me. I let out the breath I've been holding for the past day. Even though the Seven Days are done, this does not mean that things will begin winding down. No, now is when things will pick up pace as everything is put into motion...

...because now is when I have to make my final decision. Do I wed the Prince or not? Is keeping my secrets and protecting my family important enough for this? Important enough to be the mate of a Sipphoner?

I fall asleep while mulling over the choices I have left.

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I'm woken up around midday to the bustling of servants and Demi in my chambers. The windows to the balcony are thrown open, letting fresh air in as they begin cleaning. One of the servants uncovers the stash of empty beeta bottles that the Prince hid away in the corner. Demi glances at me with a mixture of confusion and disappointment. I pull the covers over my head, wanting to forget how stupid I was to think I was remotely safe with the Prince. I mean, he's the Prince.

Once the room is in order, I'm dragged out of bed and into the bathroom where I'm soaked in the bath of bubbles and flower petals. One of the maids comes over with rags in her hand. "Miss? Did you and His Highness... Did you share the bed? I only ask because there is a certain ritual we need to perform if..." The answer (and the disgust) must be written on my face because she nods. "My apologies." She turns back the way she came.

They wash, dress, and decorate me with jewels and perfumes. The dress is much more simple than anything I've worn since arriving at the Palace and I have a guess at why that is. Demi stands beside me as the other servants exit the chamber. "Your parents are with Their Majesties waiting and they are beyond nervous."

I reach for the bowl of fruits a servant has brought and quickly retract my hand. As hungry as I am, I'm too anxious to actually eat any of this; I'll probably just vomit it all over my gown.

"I am curious though— and I apologize if this is intrusive but—"

"I did not have sex with the Prince."

"Oh." She quickly recovers the surprise on her face and starts to say something. Before she can get another word out, a knock sounds on the door. "It's time!"

She grabs my arm, pulling me out of my seat. I gather the skirts of the dress to keep from falling and follow her to the door. The guards that have been escorting me everywhere since my arrival are ready at the door, faces as blank as ever.

Demi picks at my hair as we walk, adjusting and readjusting the braids into she's satisfied. "Alright, so your parents will be there along with Their Majesties and of course His Highness. There will also be a camera crew but you have to pretend they aren't there. They want to broadcast this moment live for— what's wrong?"

The guards stop their walking and stare at me, a few paces behind them. "Demi, I can't do this." I was prepared to announce my decision in front of my and the Prince's families but a camera? That will broadcast my decision throughout the kingdom, giving the very people that hate me the chance to pick apart my every word and movement? "I cannot do this."

"Odusanya—"

"No." I grip her hand, a cold panic seeping in through the fabric of the dress and onto my skin. "Please. I... I-I can't do this alone. You have to come with me."

"N-no. That is not allowed," she tells me. "It's not proper."

"Demi." I suck in air through my mouth, suddenly feeling short of breath. "I cannot walk into that room alone knowing all those people will be watching me. Demi..."