Oh My, I Messed Up the Story

Once the heavy stuff was out of the way, Mariela and I chatted for a while. She was a rather insightful person; given the chance, she really would make a terrific diplomat.

My distaste at this world's chauvinistic ways grew the more I learned about her predicament. She would have shone like a star in my world. I could easily see her being one of those influential women that teenage girls idolize on social media.

She could have become anything she wanted if she hadn't been born in this fantasyland. Mariela deserved much more than being a decoration.

The duke had wanted me for my mind. Did Franz not realize what a sharp one his wife had?

For someone aspiring to be king, he certainly didn't know how to manage his resources. Were all men here so pigheaded?

If he knew anything at all about his wife's homeland, he should have realized her potential. Shibatsu sounded like a pretty decent country to live in. It was as good a place as any to escape to once I got out of this restrictive palace.

"Your homeland sounds beautiful," I complimented as we continued our walk around the garden.

Homesickness flashed in her eyes and she let out a dainty sigh. "It is. I wish I could show it to you."

"Are you not allowed to visit?"

"I am but only when the summit of allied nations meets there. Each country sends delegates on behalf of their monarchy and takes turns hosting. Since I am from Shibatsu, the next time they hold the conference Franz and I will go but that is four years away."

I could relate to her obvious yearning. At least she could go home for a little while someday. As far as I could tell, I was stuck here forever and just had to make the most of it.

There was no way for me to visit my world. Ever. An unexpected wave of grief washed over me.

I had thought I was over it by now and accepted my fate but sometimes my loss still got to me. I missed Abby. My dinky little library job. T-shirts and sweatpants. Hamburgers.

More than anything, I missed my freedom and knowing what to expect. All of those monotonous days that blended together sounded like heaven in hindsight.

"I understand," I said simply. Better than anyone else here I understood longing for a place you couldn't go back to.

Mariela gazed at me curiously. "Your eyes give it away. You DO understand. But how can that be when your home is less than a day's ride from here?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Her soft, tinkling laugh rang out.

"You make it sound so dramatic. Feel free to keep your secrets. I am merely glad someone here can empathize with what I am going through. Rosenia is not the same. Despite being a foreign princess like me, she has never once missed Rowenhilde. She has everything she ever wanted here so she has no reason to."

"Do you not love your husband?" I blurted, unable to help myself.

"Love? I have never dreamt of such a thing. My duty has always been to secure an alliance for my kingdom and I have done so. Franz is young, handsome, and treats me well. That is more than my sisters have.

"One is married to a man three times her age. Another is one of many concubines to a barbarous king so far from home that she rarely even receives letters. I am grateful to my husband but that is not what you mean, is it?"

Her thoughts saddened me but it wasn't surprising. A political marriage was a political marriage no matter which way you looked at it. Though they were on pleasant terms with each other, Franz was too busy plotting to overthrow the current regime to fulfil his wife's emotional needs. They weren't friends.

Al's ridiculous idea of marrying me just to have someone to talk to suddenly seemed less farfetched. Being a royal was isolating.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," I said penitently with downcast eyes.

Mariela smiled warmly at me and covered my hands with hers.

"I do not mind. It is refreshing having someone to share my true thoughts with. But it was a rather silly question, considering you have already told me you do not love your fiancé."

I blushed. It really was a dumb question.

"We make quite a pair, don't we? Both of us are stuck here at the whims of princes."

Speaking of, Al would probably be put out if I didn't come find him soon. How he had survived his boredom before I came along was beyond me since he had been very dependent on my company in the few days since my arrival.

"At least we have each other for company," she sighed happily. "I am so glad you are not like Rosenia. I wondered for some time what kind of woman Alpheus would marry. You are a welcome surprise. I look forward to spending more time with you in the future."

Guilt gnawed at me. I was making friends with yet another lonely person I would be leaving behind. Except this time there was no one I could think of to take my place.

Unless there was a way I could convince Franz to spend more time with his wife? That was unlikely since I had never even spoken to the man.

I couldn't even recall what he looked like. Had I seen him at all since coming to the capital?

"I do too," I lied. At least for the time being, it would be nice to be on good terms with someone other than Al.

Mariela linked her arm through mine and we walked as if we were bosom sisters in a Regency Era drama on television. Lonely people warmed up to those that showed them the slightest bit of attention alarmingly fast.

Goodness knows I had done the same thing back home after Abby went off to college across the country. Any time someone invited me to do something I was overwhelmed with affection for them.

A servant came to inform us that it was time for dinner and we continued walking arm in arm back to the enormous dining hall.

Everyone seemed surprised at our closeness but I couldn't help but notice that Franz's surprise was of the pleasant variety whereas Al looked aggrieved that I was stolen away.