196 — Daphne POV
"Okay, okay—here's what we're going to do." I say, getting the attention of all three.
Princess, dragon, prince—three sets of very intense stares. I resist the urge to rub my temples.
"Princess—you are moving out of this castle. I can't be sure if what you're feeling is true love right now… or simply the result of having no other options."
She starts to open her mouth, ready to protest.
I shut it down with a single cold glare.
She closes her mouth with a pout.
"And you, Prince Gallant—" I turn to him, "—you cannot force a union without her consent."
He straightens, sparkling indignantly, but wisely keeps quiet.
"So—" I continue, voice firm, tone final, "—both Prince Gallant and Drake, you will court the princess for a period of one hundred days. At the end of this period, Princess Floribella will choose freely—whomever she wishes—and that person shall be recognized as her true love."
There.
Done.
Simple.
Of course, nothing is ever simple.
