The announcement echoed in my head like a poorly timed curse.
Engagement.
I turned slowly toward Crown Prince Cassian, fully expecting him to react—panic, protest, visible horror, something. Surely he would object. Surely he would save us both from this mess.
Nothing.
He stood there, composed, unreadable, far too calm for someone whose future had just been rearranged without consent.
Amazing, I thought. Absolutely stellar. I'm about to get engaged and he looks like he's waiting for tea.
I had plans. Detailed ones. Color-coded, mentally annotated plans.
And "get engaged to the crown prince" was not on the list.
My stomach twisted. This was exactly what I had been trying to avoid. I knew how this story went. I knew where this road ended.
Spoiler alert: not well for me.
"Eli," the Emperor said smoothly, far too smoothly for a man playing chess with human lives. "You seem as though you wish to speak. This concerns your future as well. You may state your thoughts."
May I?
How generous. How merciful. Shall I also thank you for allowing me to breathe?
I hesitated only a second before asking, "I may truly speak freely, Your Majesty?"
He nodded.
Well.
If I die, I die honestly.
"Then I must object."
Gasps. Frozen expressions. Emotional whiplash all around.
My parents looked ready to faint. Somewhere behind me, Theo was either impressed or preparing to fake my death.
"Oh?" the Emperor asked, clearly entertained. "And why is that?"
Oh, I had reasons.
Because your son is destined for someone else.
Because I like my life intact.
Because I refuse to be sacrificed on the altar of plot progression.
Instead, I smiled politely and chose diplomacy.
"First," I said, lifting one finger, "we are too young."
Another finger.
"Second, I do not possess romantic feelings for His Highness."
A third.
"And third," I continued calmly, though my heart was sprinting, "I believe engagements should involve mutual affection. If I am to marry, it will be someone I love—voluntarily."
I glanced briefly at Cassian"And I'm quite certain His Highness feels the same."
The Emperor studied me, finger tapping against his chin.
Then—traitorously—he turned to his son.
"Cassian?"
Cassian finally spoke. "I agree. I do not wish for this engagement."
I exhaled so hard I nearly ascended.
The silence afterward was terrifying.
Then the Emperor laughed.
Actually laughed.
"Very well," he said. "If neither of you wishes it, I shall not force the matter."
Just like that.
I blinked.
…Was that it?
Did I just win?
A future tragedy has been successfully evaded, I thought proudly. Achievement unlocked.
Later, as we watched Theo and Princess Seraphina chase Driftlings through the garden, Cassian spoke quietly.
"You're braver than most."
I shrugged, lifting a glowing Driftling into my arms. "I prefer 'selectively self-preserving.'"
He huffed a small laugh.
Lunch passed peacefully—mercifully free of political tension and emotionally loaded conversations. By the time we departed, exhaustion claimed me completely, and I fell asleep in the carriage against Theo's shoulder.
When I woke, I was being carried.
Honestly? No complaints.
After resting, I headed to the training grounds where Knight Seraphine awaited, wooden sword in hand and judgment in her eyes.
We trained hard. Sweat, strain, clashing weapons.
During the break, she asked casually, "How was the Imperial Castle?"
"Surprisingly survivable," I replied.
"First names already?" she teased.
I pretended I didn't hear that.
Unfortunately, Selene had no such mercy.
"The young miss rejected the engagement," she announced calmly.
Cue chaos.
I fled.
Later, Theo blocked my path, arms crossed.
"You rejected the Emperor?"
"Yes."
"And lived?"
"Barely," I said solemnly. "It was very dramatic."
He laughed, then suggested sparring. I lost the first round. Won the second. Lost the third in spectacular fashion.
As we left, I felt it.
That familiar prickle.
I glanced toward the forest.
A shadow lingered—watching.
I raised an eyebrow.
Really? After everything today?
Get in line.
When I blinked, it was gone.
I walked on, chin high, heart steady, and one thought clear in my mind:
If fate wanted me miserable, it was going to have to work harder than that.