Chapter 165

Against his better judgement, Caleb follows his mother Kira to her guest room. He’s still not fully comfortable around her. He hasn’t decided if he believes what she’s said about not knowing what Caleb’s father was up to with plotting Evan’s death.

But, since he might not return from this mission to find proof of Samuel’s leadership of the rebellion, he feels some type of nostalgic fondness. She is his mother, after all. And this might be goodbye.

Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem to want to talk about their shared past or Caleb’s childhood. Her gaze is still fixed on the uncertain future.

“I’ve spoken with Annabelle,” Kira says. “She tells me that you have yet to set a date for the wedding.”

Caleb thinks about just walking out. With everything going on, his wedding is the very last thing he wants to dedicate any effort thinking about.

“Is she correct?” Kira presses. “Have you truly not set a date yet for your wedding? I had assumed you were just keeping it secret, but now I am beginning to suspect otherwise.”

“I have enough on my plate right now, mother. The rebellion takes up most of my time. A wedding can wait.”

“Don’t you see? This wedding is the answer to all of your problems!” Kira says, walking closer to him. There’s a hint of desperation in her eyes, like she truly believes it. “A wedding would bring this kingdom together. It’s the only true way to stop this rebellion at its heart. The people need to fall in love with you, Caleb. Right now, you are a monster in a castle, but if they could see the real you…”

“The man who walks down the aisle to meet Annabelle would not be the real me,” Caleb explains. “That would be one more illusion.”

“You need a wife.”

“What I need is to get ready for my journey.”

Outrage – and a hint of concern – covers Kira’s face. “This is no time to leave. Where are you going?”

“It does not concern you,” Caleb says and turns to leave.

Kira, with haste, dashes forward and grabs his sleeve, causing him to still.

“Caleb, whatever else you have planned, you cannot leave this responsibility behind. Annabelle can help your reputation, of that I am certain. Please, son. I am begging you. If you will not take responsibility and begin planning this wedding, then allow me to do so.”

“You?”

“I will plan it all. I only need two weeks, at most. When you return, the wedding will be held, and Annabelle will be your bride as things are meant to be,” Kira says, insisting.

It doesn’t hurt Caleb to agree. He’s already promised to marry Annabelle, even if he’s indifferent to it. If his mother wants to waste her time planning a wedding so that he doesn’t have to, that makes it all the better.

He has far more important concerns at the moment.

“Waste your time however you like,” Caleb says.

Relief crosses over Kira’s face. “Good. Thank you.” She releases his sleeve. “Stay safe where you are going but hurry back, son. The kingdom needs their ruler now more than ever.”

“Very well.” Caleb regrets agreeing to this conversation by now and heads for the door. Unfortunately, the moment he opens it, Annabelle is outside, hand lifted as if she was about to knock.

“Oh,” she says, surprised. “King Caleb. I was hoping to speak with your mother, but I am pleased to see you.” She offers what Caleb assumes to be a genuine smile. He has no real reason to doubt her. Even in his paranoia, when he sees enemies everywhere, he’s never seen Annabelle as a particular threat.

Maybe that is reason enough to marry her.

“Caleb has agreed to the wedding, Annabelle,” Kira says over Caleb’s shoulder. “I will personally help arrange it. In two weeks’ time, you will be the proper Luna to the Kingdom.”

Annabelle’s eyes go wide with pride and excitement. Looking up at me, she asks, voice tight with hope, “Is this true?”

For one small moment, Caleb thinks of Harper and wants to say no. Though she has given Caleb her assurance that she will never leave his side, this wedding is sure to hurt her. Caleb has discovered that he doesn’t like how he feels when Harper is upset.

However, as King, marrying is part of his duties. He has already gifted Harper many privileges. He cannot turn his back on his duties for her as well.

Perhaps this could work between him and Annabelle… if he just shows her some patience.

“It’s true,” Caleb says.

“I won’t let you down, my King,” Annabelle says quickly, smiling now. “I will do my very best to serve you and make you happy every day for the rest of your life.”

Caleb tries to imagine Annabelle filling the space in his life where Harper already is, and simply cannot. The very thought of it repulses him, though he can’t place his finger on why exactly.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with Annabelle. She’s conventionally attractive and agreeable enough.

But she’s not Harper. Maybe that’s the only reason he really needs.

Glancing down at his attire, Annabelle turns up her nose somewhat, her smile fading. “My King, forgive my boldness but… did you have some issue with your servants today?”

“No,” Caleb says and gives her a strange look, waiting for her to explain herself.

“Those clothes. They are not what I would expect a King to wear. Was there some trouble receiving your regular clothes back from the laundry?”

Caleb looks down at himself, at his jeans, and black long-sleeve t-shirt. Nothing is as elaborate as his usual garb, true, but neither is anything dirty or wrinkled.

“What is it about this outfit that upsets you?” Caleb asks.

“It’s just so… common,” Annabelle says. “It doesn’t suit you at all, my King. A man like you should draped in fineries.”

“I hardly see that what I wear makes much of a difference,” Caleb replies. In fact, these clothes are much more comfortable than his usual garb.

But he doesn’t much like what Annabelle is saying. As if his value as King is somehow tied to the clothes he covers his body with. Beneath them, he is still the same man.

Harper wouldn’t care about this. In fact, at the farmhouse, he wore clothes dirtier and grimier than this, and Harper did not care at all. She even wanted to stay there.

“It’s only clothes,” Caleb says.

Annabelle scrunches her nose, clearly in disagreement, but she chooses not to argue. “Of course, my King.”

This too, Caleb finds disappointing. He doesn’t want a wife who will always agree with him. He wants someone to challenge him, to help shape him into a better man.

Annabelle, he’s realizing, would only ever hold herself back. He imagines that she will slowly start to resent him. He might even deserve it.

Over Annabelle’s shoulder, he sees Harper glancing around, looking for him. They had agreed to meet in the kitchen. When he never arrived, she must have gotten worried.

“If you will excuse me,” Caleb says and steps around Annabelle. As he hurries down the hallway, he calls out to Harper.

Seeing him, she turns and smiles a little.

At once, relief floods his chest. He had no idea he was so tense without her, but now that he’s at her side again, he feels whole once more.

He doesn’t know what to make of it.