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ONE

Basket hooked on one arm, I browse the fruit display of a vendor’s stand in Town Square, trying to ignore the white towers of Castle Kare It’s beco reminder, a monstrosity to be feared and obeyed, eventhe cobbled roadways

The day is overcast, and the faint blue lines of the sky are distinct, contrasting against the dark clouds The grid veils the ray hue The rows of apples are a sea of bright blue stars, their glassy skins reflecting the doleam

A chill prickles my skin, and the hairs on the back of my neck lift up

I’ watched

“Pick one and let’swheels of carriages and shouts fro customers She wipes the moisture of the huly beautiful against her olive tunic “We don’t have ti for the king’s transmission, but I’d like to be home in time for this one”

Nodding to the fruit vendor, I smile and move past the stand When we’re a distance away frolance over er near the vendor Fear needles my chest

“I don’t have a monitor to watch the transmission,” I remind Hadley

She nods once, and her dark braid bobs along her shoulder She points to the screen hanging above the podiuer and watch it here” A knowing ss up her lips

“You know I can’t” Defeated, I hts in crimson and black “And you shouldn’t care for the transmission either, Hadley”

“Aha,” she says “I knew it had nothing to do with your father’s reluctance to watch theet your expectations up”

Pressing ether, I take in her hopeful expression, and say cautiously, “I don’t think you’ve truly considered what it would mean to become a member of the royal family”

Her brown eyes widen, and her thin lances around before the excitement returns to her voice “Honestly, Zara You cannot tell me you don’t wish for Prince Sebastian to choose you” Her eyebrows arch “Everyto become his betrothed Your humble act doesn’t fool me”

The feeling of being watched bears down onHadley away froht about it” Truly, I haven’t Not the way shea princess My father warns ers of Kar’s rule, and that fear has been as present inover me now

I would never h I wouldn’t risk involving her or her faotten worse with his illness But having grown up with his rants, the last thing I’d desire for ’s son and live locked behind the walls of the castle I look up again at the blue pointed rooftops piercing the sky and shiver

“I don’t believe you,” Hadley says She shakes her head and loops her ar us under the low eaves of the apothecary shop “Don’t worry I haven’t forgotten e made this heinous trip” She smiles

“Thank you,” I say “And it’s not that heinous We aze upon the prince’s posters”

Her eyes take on a faraway look as we pass by a painted parch Prince Sebastian Scrawled beneath is thehis princess I don’t remark on the impossibility that one of us could ever be chosen The court has been aflutter with balls and dances—events we’re not per for the prince’s affections Although it’s my least concern, I don’t want to ruin Hadley’s enjoyment