Chapter 41

Keira glanced at Amelia, noting that she was hiding secrets, ones not immediately visible to everyone. But because Keira was new here and after her run in with Maria, she was looking for hidden meanings or motives.

"If you don't mind me asking, how does an American woman end up marrying the future king of Wystovia — long live the current king or whatever?"

Amelia was quiet for a long moment, staring out at the fountain. When she finally spoke, her voice was distant. "My family has roots here. My mother was a lady of Wystovia until she met my father from America and fell in love. My grandfather was one of the King's most trusted advisors."

She picked at the broken rose in her hands. "I'd known for years I was intended to marry Niko, and he knew about me. But we actually met only four days before our wedding."

"Alexei told me you only met four days before, and wow… " Keira's eyes widened. "That's..."

"Terrifying? Archaic? All of the above?" Amelia's laugh was ho