Two Of The Same Piece || Book 1 (The Beginning)

CHAPTER 21

Josephine had thought Rave's apartment in the palace would be more ornate, regal. It surprised her. The apartments were rather shabby, old. Faded tapestries adorning the walls, a big four-poster bed, and a dressing chamber, and a balcony.

"What? Aren't my rooms to your liking?" Rave asked, jokingly.

"I thought you'd have rooms that are more...decorated," Josephine said.

"I purposefully chose these rooms. Since I've been living elsewhere since I was eighteen. It seems like a waste to take nicer rooms," Rave replied. "They would just collect dust for no reason."

"You've been an emissary since you were eighteen?" Josephine thought she would have been older.

"Yes, I wanted to be one, always. So I befriended the children of the emissaries here, and through them got invites. Then convinced my father that I would be a good emissary. He said if I could make a good trade deal with the high deserts, he would let me. And sure enough, I made a great emissary." She smiled. She had even secured a marriage alliance with them again.

"You have a lot of experience then." Josephine meant that. Rave was well-traveled and cultured, she wasn't some princess who let others do her bidding.

"What is it? Is there a matter you personally wish to discuss? Not that I am not happy to see you." Rave lied well enough too, Josephine supposed.

"Rina has agreed to a marriage with Taiskin, but keep it a secret. For now, since Duaetive has made the same request. Wait until we return to Thinlin. Then, we will publicly announce it."

--

"Taiskin-'' Rave clammed her mouth shut.

Taiskin and Hanara were together, fondling each other in his room. Rave shut the door as she heard them scramble for their clothing. "Can't you knock?" Taiskin's outraged words reached her.

"Who the hell fucks in the middle of the afternoon?!" Rave yelled back.

"What is it?" Hanara asked.

"Royal matters, I'm afraid I need my brother," Rave replied.

The door flung open and Taiskin walked out, his clothing still askew. "What is it?"

"Rina. She accepted." She led him to the open gardens and sat on the edge of a marble fountain. This was Taiskin's personal gardens, for him and his future wives. It was very carefully taken care of. Not a bud or a weed misplaced.

"Really? I thought she would prefer the Duaetivens more." Taiskin took a seat beside her.

"Are you blind? Taiskin, do you really think Rina would pick Mow over you? She would wait out a few years rather than marry that bastard." Rave knew it was right, but she hated what she was implying. "And the girl's in love with you anyway," Rave could only hope so.

"Then what about Hanara? She's so sure of her love in me, I'd be betraying her." Taiskin mused.

"Well, the issue of you and Hanara is hardly appropriate for me to comment on. Think, to please Hanara, would you alienate our neighbors? Our allies?" Rave asked.

"How ridiculous!" Taiskin exclaimed, "You would do anything for Aurilean, why can't I do the same for Hanara?"

"Aurilean has a kingdom behind him." Rave countered, "You won't be complaining when my bride price arrives here, or when Rayner's new ruler will be half Bellan."

"You don't understand, you are just like the others." He murmured.

"You need to make hard decisions. That is what it is to be a royal, especially a crown prince. And it's not like you can't marry Hanara. You just have to marry her later." Rave said.

"What do you know of hard choices?" Taiskin sneered.

"More than you apparently. You aren't the only one who had to choose between a lover and a duty," Rave snarled right back at him and sighed. "I was in love with the lord of the southern tide islands, Archad. If Aurilean hadn't confessed to me, I would have married Archad right then. But once Archad heard of Aurilean's words, he chose to leave me." Rave smiled bitterly. "A woman of my status shouldn't settle for bastard-born filth like him. For a long time, I disliked Aurilean for it, before he won my heart over. We all have to make hard choices, brother."

"Well, it was your duty," Taiskin responded.

"And is it not yours too? Whatever you think, if papa commands it, we have to obey. I was commanded to go marry into the Raynerian royal family, and I have. So will you, if papa wants it." Rave shook her head. "And he does command it, you don't get to choose, and again, it's not like you don't have a choice."

"I am the crown prince, Rave. I choose whatever I want to do. I don't have to settle for the lesser evil like you." He said before walking away.