After the second course of hors d'oeuvres, there was to be dancing. Since there were no women invited to the event, the men around the table settled for walking around and gathering into small groups to discuss one thing or another. Cage had to stand as well, so he busied himself with admiring the General's impressive art collection. Given his social status, the paintings were on par with those in the Grand Palace. While admiring a portrait of Harkiss' father, Cage felt a longing to be with his own portraits. At least his talked back.

"May I join you, your Majesty?"

Cage couldn't say he was surprised to see Madeline approaching him, but he wished she hadn't. That she never had to.

"Of course, milady." The words felt sour in his mouth. Ever since his friends had left, he'd been forced to stick to etiquette and the more he did, the more he realized how much he hated it. He'd been speaking his mind directly for too long.

Madeline settled next to him, her brown eyes focused on the painting before her, glancing at it as if she'd never seen her own grandfather before.

Cage studied her openly and could easily tell that she was nervous. He knew why and it pained him that it had come to this, as obvious as it was.

"You don't have to do this," he said, his voice low.

"I'm sure I do not know--"

He couldn't keep doing this, pretending that he didn't know the dance. "Let's cut the crap, Madeline. You and I are well-enough versed in matters of court and politics to know what your father wants you to do. I had the feeling that you truly cared for Ferdinand, that he wasn't a mere political match. This is why I'm telling you that you don't have to do this."

She drew a sobbing breath, then quieted down, glancing at her golden skirts. The sight of them sent a pang of pain through him as a multitude of images flashed before his eyes.

"I look like a giant chicken."

A girl with golden hair and bright blue eyes smiling at him. Holding her and feeling like there was nothing in the world he'd rather do than grow old with her. The pain in his body as his bones cracked and rearranged. Fangs in his mouth.

He sucked air through his teeth and his tongue instinctively checked if anything had changed. How could Cecille mute that particular memory so much? Had his former curse become so intertwined with Kat that he could no longer think of it without thinking of the one person the High Fairy had tried to purge from his very being?

It was hard to dwell upon it, his mind becoming foggy the more he tried. Whatever protection Cecille had cast upon him was hard to break through and he wasn't sure he wanted to. Maybe he was an idiot and it was better to leave what he'd forgotten well enough alone.

He forced himself back into the present and found Madeline analyzing him. For the first time, she no longer looked sad or suspicious. His skin crawled. He recognized that look. It was appraisal. She was most likely considering how bad it would be for her to have to marry him. For the first time, he wished he was still cursed, that anyone who desired him without reciprocity would turn to stone.

"I don't know about that. You're not the one in my position," she finally said.

And he was eternally grateful for that. When the war was over, if he survived and Iride didn't go to ruin, he would make sure to change the laws of his kingdom and let women run their own lives.

"I'm not going to marry you, Madeline, no matter what your father wants."

"It might be the condition for his support. That's how it was with Fherras."

Cage smiled, but there was no joy in it. He wondered how old Ferdinand and Madeline were when their parents decided to use them to gain favors. "Your father also owes fealty to his king and his kingdom."

"He has the fealty of his army."

"It is not his army. It's the king's army."

Madeline huffed. "You can't be that naive. Not when it was your navy."

She had him here. When he'd been Admiral, he'd been so careful to gain the support and loyalty of his men beyond their duty to the kingdom. Sure, they were Iride's navy, but they were also... Them. The sailors and soldiers exploring the vast waters around their kingdom and beyond. It wasn't that surprising that the army was the same. Fherras had never been the type of leader to command respect above the direct leaders of his armed forces.

That could change. What Cage didn't have was enough time to do it before Kat attacked and he hated the pressure of it.

"You know I don't have any intention to strip your father of his power or to make things difficult for anyone."

"So you say. You already made things difficult."

"Would you have rather gotten attacked without knowing what hit you?"

"This war is only in your claims, as is the heir of Endir."

"Apparently being privy to confidential information doesn't make you smarter."

Madeline gasped. "How dare you?"

"What would I have to gain by lying?"

"The loyalty of the people!"

"You know my birthright. The loyalty of the people is based on that, not on stirring trouble."

She glared at him, obviously out of any arguments that could refute his logic. He only watched her, keeping his expression neutral. It was hard to tell whether he liked Madeline or not. There were things about her that he could appreciate, like her quick wit and her feelings for Ferdinant which seemed genuine. But other times, it was so obvious that she was a spoiled little noble girl, too used to getting her way.

He couldn't fathom why her way had suddenly become marrying him. Maybe he was being a fool outright rejecting her, but the turmoil inside him wouldn't let him even consider it for a moment.

He'd been engaged. In the back of his mind, this was a fact. Was he still? He and Kat hadn't exactly spoken about breaking off their engagement or their relationship for that matter. She'd just destroyed their ship and disappeared. It was Cecille who claimed that she was now in Endir, preparing an invasion.

The thoughts only fed the ache inside him.

"Look," he finally said. "I understand your position, but you must understand mine. We're on the brink of war, and I'd rather focus on that until the danger has passed. Then, I might consider marriage."

"Yes, but war might mean your death. It could be safer for the kingdom if you secured an heir."

The mere thought of it brought bile to his mouth. And it wasn't even about Madeline, though she was definitely not his type, but the thought of getting intimate with any woman. The irony was hysterical. Before being cursed, he would have bedded any woman who showed willing. Madeline would have definitely not been one to throw away.

What have you done to me?

He wasn't sure if the question was addressed to Kat or Cecille. The combination of them had ruined him.

"I already have an heir," he said. "It's Edmund."

Madeline huffed. "Please. We both know that he couldn't protect this kingdom if you failed in your war."

"Whereas a baby could?"

"No. But his mother might."

Cage raised his eyebrows. "Those are brave words, Madeline. But be careful what you wish for."

The interlude was fortunately over as the guests were called back to the table. Cage was glad and couldn't wait to get out of there. He noticed the whispered conversation between the General and his daughter and he only hoped it hadn't ruined his chances to prepare the army before a potential invasion.

Either way, there was nothing more he could do that evening, so once the third course was finished, he excused himself and left the party. The General made some half-assed attempt to get him to stay, but it was obvious it was merely for reasons of protocol. He was most likely glad to see the back of his king. Cage couldn't get out of there fast enough either. But as he was waiting for a valet to bring his horse, Lucius Dirk caught up with him.

"Your Majesty," he said with a bow of his head.

"Yes... Are you still Lieutenant?"

The man gave a laugh. "We're nothing anymore. The former king paid little attention to the navy after you left." He lowered his voice. "You're still our Admiral. And we wanted you to know that, regardless of what General Harkiss decides, you will always have the navy."

Cage tried very hard to hide a smile. It appeared that in spite of his shortcomings, he had done something right to win the loyalty of his men.

"Come see me tomorrow. We will discuss the state of the navy, Admiral."

Lucius stuttered, his eyes wide. "I... Um, thank you, your Majesty."

"I'm still Cage. Don't ever forget that. Now go inside. You're missing all the gossip at my expense."

The man was intelligent enough to know what was asked of him, so he bowed again and hurried inside.

"Forgive me, your Majesty," Rip said, his deep voice low. "But was that wise?"

"No. But as you get to know me better, you'll realize that sometimes, loyalty is more important than wisdom."

The guard nodded, a knowing smile on his face. Cage smiled too, this time. He'd chosen his guards well.

⚜⚜⚜

A much shorter chapter this time which brings us to the end of the diplomatic war. It's getting complicated, and let's hope it won't end with Cage having to marry Madeline Harkiss.

Thanks so much for reading and don't forget to vote and comment.