A Tale of Crown and Country

Reila

"We have never met before," Reila asked the prince carefully. She was confident she knew the answer, but she needed proof. If she was to play Crolimus's game and win, she'd need to know as much as possible about the girl she was masquerading as.

    "We have not, and it was my life's greatest tragedy," Philton exclaimed.

    Reila rolled her eyes. No wonder Amalea didn't want to marry this guy: he was full of himself. However, that made the execution of her plan all the more simple. He would be easy to manipulate. She would marry him as per the king's demands, and then she would turn around and use Philton's funds to cut herself off from the vile man. She wasn't experienced in political intrigue and courtly manoeuvres, but she'd have to learn fast.

    The only problem was Philton's manservant, Mailui. He was smart. She'd caught him watching her carefully. If anyone could ruin her plans it was him. The only good thing was that Philton hardly ever listened to him. Especially now, inside the castle, she'd watched as Philton completely brushed Mailui's concerns away before prancing down the corridor after his betrothed.

    Now that Reila had the silly man alone, she was ready to play by her own rules.

    "You are the eldest in your family?" she asked politely.

    He confirmed her question with more flourish than was necessary.

    "And you are not set to inherit the throne?"

    "Alas, no. That would be my eldest sister."

    "I am glad for it," she said, trying to imitate the courtiers' language.

    "Oh?" he asked curiously.

    "It means you are here, doesn't it?" she asked flirtatiously.

     Philton blushed a little before puffing his chest out like a proud man with no better qualities than his inflated ego and vanity.

    "You are happy to be here, aren't you?" she asked innocently. She hadn't really planned on making him uncomfortable, but that was the effect her words had on him. She held all the power of the conversation, leading it, directing it, and reasonably, ending it when she chose to do so.

    "Oh, yes!" he said a little too eagerly. "I–uh–of course I am. Aldira is a lovely city, and you are a lovely lady."

    Reila would have been flattered if she hadn't reminded herself that she was manipulating a man into believing her to be his betrothed.

    "You flatter me," she said softly. "But in my own country I must bear you the courtesy of such compliments."

    "Your highness," he said, bowing slightly.

    Reila smiled and found herself to be truly having fun. As much as Philton wasn't the brightest man, he was charming, and though she reminded herself of the plan, she found that he wasn't the worst person to be spending time with. She didn't love him, of course, but he was sweet and she could see how much he tried.

    "Your highness," she returned the favour. "I must be going now."

    Philton nodded, bowed, and strung a few compliments together leaving Reila to wonder if anyone could leave a room on time with him around.

    She strode out of the corridor, chin high, heels clicking, dress swishing in her wake. The conversation had left her feeling powerful and confident. But with every step that distanced her from the prince she was reminded of a much larger problem. King Crolimus would not stop until she was married to the Jayakan. Political alliances overshadowed his greed and desperation. He needed to marry off his "daughter" to Prince Philton, and she knew he'd stop at nothing to do it.

    In three days she'd be married to the prince. If she didn't have complete control of him by then, Reila was doomed to be the imposter princess forever.