Crowned In Enmity

Chapter 8

It's Arlette's name day, and her country is hosting a grand ball to celebrate. Honestly, she probably wouldn't even notice if I skipped it. I take a sip of my orange juice and glance sideways at my family. "It's Queen Margrot's name day," I say casually as breakfast is being served around the table. "Her ball is tonight."

"A ball?" My sister Isadora's eyes light up with excitement. Even though she's nearly two years older than me, Isadora still has a youthful, almost childlike enthusiasm. She's the only one of my sisters who hasn't been married off to the highest bidder yet. It's not that she can't attract a suitor—she's beautiful, with hair lighter than mine and warm honey-colored eyes like our mother's. But Isadora prefers to chat rather than listen, a trait that doesn't sit well with the men in my father's circle. "Please, Father, can I go to the ball?"

My father glares at me with a warning look, barely acknowledging Isadora. "Fine. Go with your brother," he directs his attention at me, his tone sharp. "Try to find a list of suitable husbands for your sister. I'm tired of having her around. I hear Cole Warthford is still single and he'll be a king soon enough."

"Cole Warthford won't be crowned for another seven years," Isadora scoffs, unimpressed with the suggestion.

"Cole Warthford frequents the Erast brothels," I mutter under my breath.

"Cole Warthford is one of the few viable bachelors who might consider marrying a girl as bothersome as you," Father snaps, addressing both of us. He turns to Isadora with a patronizing tone, "He might overlook your lack of manners in favor of the strategic advantage. The Montgomery traits combined with the Warthford line could produce a child of exceptional military prowess. He'd be a fool not to consider it."

Regrettably, Father's assessment is accurate. The Warthfords possess extraordinary night vision, and Isadora's Montgomery skill of stealth would make their offspring formidable. A union of those strengths could indeed result in a child of remarkable potential.

In The Realm, almost all royal marriages are semi-arranged. The crown prince, for instance, has little say in his own match. He's typically married off to the daughter of another king, chosen for her enhancements, which, when paired with his, are expected to produce a strong heir. The more daughters a king has, the greater the chance that a crown prince might have a say in his own marriage.

For a king's daughter, like my sisters, it's a different story. Their marriages are often arranged with a mix of practicality and financial interest. Married off to whatever prince, general, or duke has the right combination of wealth, power, and influence to make our father happy.

Isadora, in particular, is in a difficult position. Despite her beauty and talent, her outspoken nature limits her options. Our father's attempts to secure a lucrative match for her often involve brokering deals with the highest bidders or aligning her with strategic partners. Cole Warthford, with his promising future and significant potential for creating powerful offspring, is one such prospect. Even if he's not the ideal choice in her eyes, the advantages of this match are hard to ignore.

"I'll take you to the ball, Dora," I assure her with a playful smile across the table.

As usual, Mother remains silent throughout the conversation, absorbed in polishing off her second—no, third—mimosa.

"Really?" Isadora's eyes sparkle with excitement. "Oh, thank you! I promise I'll be on my best behavior."

Father, still focused on his breakfast, gives a distracted nod. "Just make sure you keep an eye out for potential suitors," he grunts. "And remember, it's not just about finding a husband for Isadora; it's about making alliances that benefit the family."

Mother finally sets down her glass with a contented sigh. "I'm sure you two will have a splendid time," she says absently, her gaze drifting off to a distant point. Her indifference is nothing new, but today it feels more pronounced, perhaps due to the multiple drinks she's had.