My dad stands from his desk and comes around the front to lean on it. My brother is in his normal suit stretched out on the sofa, but I can tell he’s pissed. More so than normal.
“Prince Felipe of Andora,” my mom blurts out before my dad can say it.
“No!” I hiss, and my heart has this funny flutter. It’s not the same as it was when I saw Felipe in pictures before. Now there is an ache to it.
“He’s not worthy of her,” my brother grumbles.
“You’ve been in love with him since you were a little girl,” my mom tries to reason. She doesn’t like when any of us are upset.
“Yes, I was a silly girl.” I fight back tears, not wanting to act like a child. I’ve spent the last two years trying to prove to them I’m an adult now.
“You should know better than to believe what you read in the tabloids, Amelia,” my dad says gently.
“Where there's smoke there’s fire.” My brother is quick to come to my defense. He always has been.
“Have your mother and I ever steered you two wrong?” Dad pushes off the desk, making his way over to Mom.
He can never go long without touching her if they’re in the same room. He’s always seeking her out. Their love is something I’ve dreamed of having, and it’s why at one time I’d been so open to the idea of an arranged marriage.
“No,” I admit, but Cillian only glowers from his seat. I think he’s met Felipe because he hates the idea of me marrying him too.
“Then this is settled,” my dad says, and I nod before I turn and walk from the office as calmly as I can. I need to leave before I say or do something I can’t take back.
It’s bullshit. My soon-to-be husband is out there doing god knows what with whoever he wants. He’ll likely have mistresses before the ink on our wedding decree is dry. It’s so hard to fathom that my parents think this will be a good match for me.
When I enter my room, I walk over to the dress I picked out for the upcoming event. My whole life I’ve always done what was expected of me and never broken one rule. I’ve been the perfect daughter. At times people even called me “The Ice Princess” for it.
I run my fingers down the soft material. I think it’s time to have a little fun of my own for once. It’s my turn to break a few rules.