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Prologue (part 2)
**8 years later**
“Father hates me,” Grayson cried to his older brother.“Father does not hate you,” Dupont attempted to reassure his little brother.“He does! He beat me again today for playing sorcerer!” Grayson lifted his shirt and showed Dupont the fresh marks from his father’s switch. Dupont flinched, involuntarily. He had never felt his father’s anger physically. “He says I will bring down the Demon King on my own head!”Dupont stroked his brother’s hair. “You know how Father feels about magic, Gray.”“I know. I wasn’t even playing sorcerer, though, “ he explained. “I was singing and just swinging a stick around.”“I will talk to Father,” Dupont said, determination in his eyes. He was 16 now. He had stood by long enough while his father beat Grayson for every slight, real or imagined. If he was to be a great king someday, he had to learn to stand up to injustice, even within his own family.“Please be careful, Duey,” Grayson pleaded. “I don’t want Father to turn on you, too.”Dupont smiled down at his brother. “It is the older brother’s job to protect the younger, not the other way around.” He ruffled Grayson’s dark curls. “I love you, Gray, and I’ll always be here to protect you.”By the end of the day, Dupont was dead, and all Grayson could remember about the event was receiving the worst beating of his life afterward.Related chapters
The Right Choice Chapter 1
**4 years later** Abigail Alderei Castle had been a buzz for weeks with the expected arrival of the Prince and his family. The staff had gone all out – pruning the already immaculate gardens that surrounded the castle, mending the fences around the orchards, airing out and hanging the best tapestries. There was to be a reception in the entrance chamber upon their arrival, followed by a dinner in the Great Hall. As this would be their first visit to Alderei Castle, the queen wanted the grand estate to look its best. She wanted her daughter to be on her best behavior. She was not happy earlier that day, when said daughter was brought back to the castle, dirty and scratched up, having fallen out of a tree in an attempt to escape the impending wedding. Later that evening, I fixed my dress as I waited for the arrival of Prince Grayson of Eswen, who I had not seen in four years. Queen Sarah was currently running around the richly decorated hall nitpicking everything the servants did. I
The Right Choice Chapter 2
Grayson “Mother, do I have to go through with this?” I asked quietly so Father would not hear me. He had already lectured me the whole way here, I was afraid he would get physical if he heard my complaint. It wouldn’t be the first time. My mother raised an eyebrow. “Are you questioning your father’s judgement, my love?” She adjusted the veil covering the lower half of her face to hide my father’s latest “correction.” “No, Mother,” I replied without hesitation. “I just wish I had more time to meet and get to know my bride… maybe find out if we are compatible. Maybe fall in love,” I mumbled the last part. I had grown up listening to the fairy tales my grandmother used to tell me. Even though my parents hadn’t married for love, I knew it happened. Queen Sarah and King Marcus had reportedly been a love match. They met on the battlefield, in fact, defending Alderei from Godfrey, the country to the north. She was the daughter of the previous King, Patryk, and Marcus was the son of an E
The Right Choice Chapter 3
Abigail King Hayden’s comments about my father only believing women to be equal because he had no sons bothered me. I knew it wasn’t true – my father had always loved us deeply and treated us well, and women were treated as equals in Alderei. I knew it wasn’t that way everywhere, but I didn’t remember this side of the king. “I wonder what the queen was thinking when she agreed to the betrothal,” Rose muttered, as if reading my mind. “Alliances and security, most likely,” I replied, just loud enough for my sister to hear. “It was 14 years ago. Let’s hope the prince has remained more charming than his father.” Rose poked me in the ribs. “You and the prince seemed to be very taken with each other. He didn’t want to let you go once he hugged you.” I blushed, but poked Rose back, and she giggled. “We’ve always been friends,” I countered, then admitted, “He has grown to be very handsome…” “You can have him then,” Cat said, walking up to us. “Did you hear what his father said to me ab
The Right Choice Chapter 4
Grayson Curse that damned dinner bell, I thought as we made our way back inside. She was about to say something that felt important, but the bell stopped her. I couldn’t believe how much I had missed her. Losing my best friend and my brother at the same time had left a huge hole in my life. With her next to me now, I could feel some of it start to fill in. The Hall was large and lavishly decorated in the colors of Alderei – a deep green and brown. It gave the room an earthy, comfortable feel. It was very unlike the halls of Eswen Castle which were mostly bare sandstone. My father did not believe in spending money on something as frivolous as decorations. I rather liked the look of the Hall here. I could see Abby smile in the corner of my eye as she watched me looking around the room. “Do you like it here?” she asked. It was the first she had spoken since we started our walk back. “It’s very… comfortable,” I said, uncertain if that was the right word. “It is,” she agreed. “Do
The Right Choice Chapter 5
Abigail “He’s been looking at you all evening,” Rose said to me as dinner was coming to an end. “Are you going to dance with him?” “He asked me to, earlier,” I responded. “I guess it depends on his father.” The confrontation between the two of them had not gone unnoticed by our family. “Ugh, I can’t wait until that man leaves,” Rose responded with disgust. “Now, Rose,” Father reprimanded. “Show some respect to King Hayden.” “I don’t understand how you are friends with him, Father,” Rose replied. “You should have heard the things he said to us earlier. He said the only reason you educated us was because you have no sons.” “I know the King can come off as crass, but their ways in Eswen are different from ours.” He looked at us both in turn. “Once you fight alongside someone and protect each other with your lives, you’ll understand being able to overlook their shortcomings,” Father replied. “You two are my greatest treasures, and you bring me great pride. No son could do better th
The Right Choice Chapter 6
Grayson I held her as tightly as I dared. I could see the looks we were getting from Queen Sarah and my father. It was the only thing that stopped me from pulling her closer – especially after she admitted my father made her uncomfortable. I felt an overwhelming need to protect her. The way my father was looking at her made me angry. When she called me her white knight it took all of my willpower to not sweep her up in my arms and carry her to safety. How did I let her go for so long? I didn’t know the answer to that, but I knew there was something that drew me back to her. Something that was becoming more difficult to ignore the longer she was in my arms. “Abby?” I ventured. We were hidden from my parents by the other dancers, and I felt suddenly brave. “Yes?” she looked up at me with those clear green eyes and I melted. Gods I want to kiss her so badly. I want to tell her how she makes me feel. I wanted to carry her out of the room and never have to come back. “I… uh…” I blus
The Right Choice Chapter 7
Abigail I stared at him in disbelief, but before I could respond he continued. “At least I know you. We get along, and you aren’t painfully in love with someone else.” He paused. “You aren’t, are you?” “No, Grayson. I am not in love with anyone else.” I’m in love with you… He looked relieved. I needed some air. I felt a sudden need to get out of the Hall. I feigned a yawn. “I should go to bed. The princess will need all the help she can get tomorrow.” Just getting her down the aisle will be a struggle. “Oh,” he sounded disappointed. “Okay. I probably should, as well.” He stood up and offered me his arm. “May I escort you to your room?” “Do you know your way around the castle yet?” I asked with concern. “Um… no.” He blushed. “Then why don’t I escort you to your rooms?” He chucked, embarrassed. “That sounds like a much better idea.” I took his arm and led him through the corridors of the castle. I pointed out features of interest – a painting of a past monarch here, an espec
The Right Choice Chapter 8
Grayson I hardly slept that night. My thoughts were full of Abigail’s words and Catherine’s rejection. I had no idea what would happen to me if Catherine refused to marry me in the morning. Would my father blame me? The dawn came sooner than I would have liked, and as soon as I heard the servants moving around, I got up and dressed for breakfast. I arrived at the hall to find it empty except for Abby. She was dressed casually, in breeches and a tunic, twirling in the creeping sunlight like a small child. She looked beautiful, the sunlight catching the highlights in her hair as she spun, laughter on her lips and in her eyes. I wasn’t paying attention and walked into a chair, knocking it over and causing a loud bang. She startled and stopped twirling. “Oh! Grayson! I didn’t know anyone else would be here this early.” She blushed. “Don’t let me stop you,” I said walking over to her. She smiled and took my hand as I approached. “Twirl me,” was all she said. How could I say no?
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