She glided to the door, pausing with her hand on the knob to give me one final skewering look.
“You may be foolish enough to have fallen in love with Liam, but he certainly doesn’t love you. How could he? Underneath your finery, you’re nothing more than a common goose girl.”
She flounced from the room, leaving my eyes burning with tears. Even though I’d gotten her to leave, I knew she was right—I’d only delayed the inevitable, for if there was one thing I knew about the princess, it was that she wouldn’t rest until she’d gotten her way.
Chapter 22
I was on edge the entire morning, expecting Princess Lavena to burst through the door at any moment, closely followed by armed guards who’d drag me to the dungeon…or worse. I wrung my hands anxiously in my lap, all while scolding this morning’s stupidity. Why had I sent her away? Why hadn’t I switched back when I’d had the chance?
“Lavena? Are you alright?”
My gaze slid to Liam’s, filled with such sweet concern, and my heart swelled with all the love I felt for him. He was the reason I didn’t want this to end. But end it would. I felt the conclusion of our time together drawing nearer and nearer. I tried to cling to it, but it was rapidly slipping through my fingers, impossible to hold on to, no matter how much I tried.
I needed a plan. I cast Prince Nolan several glances throughout tea, hoping he’d read the urgency in my expression and come to my aid. He tilted his head with a confused frown, but after the third desperate look from me, he motioned towards the corner, inviting me for a private conversation.
“What is it?” he asked the moment we were alone.
I took a shaky breath. “Princess Lavena arrived this morning.”
He gaped at me. “What?”
“She wants to switch back.” I twisted the contract ring on my finger. “I refused and managed to convince her to leave, but you know your sister as well as I do—she’ll be back, likely soon. What do I do?”
Prince Nolan scrunched his forehead, thinking hard. “I’m not sure. Switching back now will not go unnoticed, but you can’t pretend to be her forever.”
“Exactly.” Terror tightened my chest, more painful at Prince Nolan’s worried expression. “She’ll expose the charade and everything will be over.”
He rested his hand on my arm. “Don’t panic. No matter what happens, remember I know the truth behind the switch. I promise no harm will come to you. I’ll think of something.”
I tried to cling to his promise as we separated and I shakily returned to my seat, but his assurances did little to calm my pounding heart. Liam searched my expression. “You’re so pale. Are you alright, darling?”
How could I be? Everything was about to shatter, and I was powerless to stop it.
All too soon, the curtain to this beautiful production which had become my life closed. A footman entered the parlor where I sat with Liam’s family.
“Forgive the interruption, Your Majesties, but a guest has arrived.” His gaze darted towards me, his expression perplexed. “A Princess Lavena.”
Silence followed this announcement and my stomach clenched. Oh no, she’d come sooner than I’d expected. Oh, why hadn’t I switched back when I had the chance?
The king blinked in astonishment. “A Princess Lavena? You must be mistaken. Lavena is here with us.” He gave me a fatherly smile I thoroughly didn’t deserve.
The footman fidgeted. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but that’s the only name she supplied.”
Liam snorted. “Then our guest is delusional. There’s no way there’s another Lavena.” He gave me a snuggle. If I hadn’t been on the brink of a nervous breakdown, I’d have enjoyed what would likely be the last affectionate gesture from the man I loved. Instead I felt near a faint, darkness lapping against my senses.
The footman frowned at me. “Forgive me, but this woman claiming to be Princess Lavena looks uncannily similar to the real Princess Lavena. Permission to show her in?”
“How strange,” the queen said. “Please do so that we may learn why anyone would make such an outrageous claim.”
No, I silently pleaded as the footman bowed crisply and left the room. I ached to tell him to not bring Princess Lavena here to ruin everything. As much as I’d known it was inevitable, I didn’t want the charade to shatter, for with it I’d lose the relationship that was more precious to me than any other.
I instinctively pressed myself against Liam’s side. He searched my expression, his brow furrowed. “Are you sure you’re alright, darling? You’re awfully pale.”
I couldn’t speak; my throat had sealed, silencing the protests I longed to make. All too soon the door swung open and Princess Lavena entered, her eyes fiery. She wasted no time in pointing an accusing finger at me. “That girl is an imposter.”
Tense silence followed her accusation. I sat frozen as Liam and his family looked back and forth between me and the princess, their eyes widening. “Oh my heavens,” the queen murmured. “The two are identical.”
Liam studied us more closely. “No, they’re not, but…they’re rather similar.” He glared at Princess Lavena, as if our similarities were her fault. “Who are you? What gives you the right to barge in on us making such outrageous accusations against my wife?”
“Because the accusations are true,” she said. “I’m the real Princess Lavena, the woman you were supposed to marry before that handmaiden usurped me and stole my place.”
My apprehension turned to full-blown terror as I realized what the princess’s plan was—to force me to take responsibility for her plot. “No! I—that’s not true. You—”
“Be quiet, Anwen; your lies can’t save you.”
“Don’t speak to my wife that way,” Liam snapped, his expression fierce, his hold around me tight and protective. “Your ridiculous accusations have no place here. I know my own wife.”
Princess Lavena smirked. “Ask her yourself; I dare her to lie to you.”
Liam rolled his eyes before turning to me with twitching lips, as if he expected me to laugh at what he considered to be an elaborate joke.
My heart pounded furiously as I stared into Liam’s deep blue eyes, filled with such adoration, while my own love for him filled my heart. I wanted to believe that even after he learned the truth I could still keep him, but Liam had only known me as a princess. While I had no doubt he cared for me, would he still do so once he realized who I truly was—nothing more than a common goose girl? I couldn’t bear to lose him.
I didn’t even need to think about my course of action, for it was the only one my heart would allow me to take. I’d gladly sacrifice Anwen forever if I could keep Liam.
I stood regally. “I’m the real Princess Lavena. That woman is my handmaiden.”
Princess Lavena’s mouth fell open in disbelief. Had she truly expected that with my love for Liam, the power of her contract ring, and the dire consequences for me should I accept her accusations, that I’d confess my true identity?
Liam smirked triumphantly “There. You see?”
“But—I’m the real Princess Lavena. She’s—”
I lifted my chin. “You have no proof other than your word that I’m an imposter, whereas I have many witnesses to my identity.” I gestured towards Liam’s family.
“Indeed.” The queen studied Princess Lavena closely, taking in her similar features. “You two do look quite a bit alike, but different enough that I’d have recognized if you two had switched places.”
Oh, the irony that no one had.
Princess Lavena continued to gape. “But we did switch. Tell them, Anwen.”
“Who’s Anwen?” Liam asked.
“She is.” She jabbed her finger towards me. “She’s my handmaiden. Anwen, tell them who you are.” She gave me a desperate look.
Had she really forgotten that her ring forbade such a confession? I folded my arms. “I’m afraid I must disappoint you, for I’m Lavena.”
“No, you’re not; I am.”
I raised a chal
lenging brow and she shrieked in the most undignified manner. Elodie giggled at the display, whereas the queen covered her mouth.
“Oh, my goodness.” She turned to Prince Nolan, who was watching the entire spectacle with his usual serious expression. “Nolan, you must clear this up. Which of these women is your sister?”
My stomach sank. I’d forgotten about him. My gaze snapped to his, my own pleading. He looked long and hard at me before shifting his attention to Princess Lavena, who glared at him.
“Don’t just stand there. Tell them, Nolan. Don’t let that handmaiden get away with her deception.”
Prince Nolan cocked his eyebrow. “Nolan? Don’t you mean Prince Nolan?”
Princess Lavena’s mouth fell open again. “What—”
Prince Nolan strode towards me and stood by my side. “This is my sister, Lavena.”
I fought to hide my astonishment. Whatever plan I’d expected from the prince, it hadn’t been to side with me against his own sister.
Liam laughed in relief as he wrapped his arm around my waist, claiming me as his. “There. You see?”
Princess Lavena gaped at her brother in disbelief before she swelled in indignation. “I’m the real Lavena and you know it. Tell them, Nolan. Tell them.”
“If you were the real Lavena,” he said smoothly, “then you’d have been at the wedding fulfilling your engagement contract like you were supposed to.” He gave her a challenging look and her face darkened. “But you weren’t; she was. Therefore, she is Lavena.”
“Nolan!” Her voice was escalating. “How could you do this? I’m your sister.”
Prince Nolan said nothing. Princess Lavena continued to glare before she lifted her chin defiantly.
“Fine. If this is the game you want to play, then it’s time for me to reveal my trump card.” She gave me a nasty smirk that sent a wave of icy fear straight up my spine. She strolled to the door and poked her head into the corridor. “Won’t you come in now? There’s someone here you’ve been anxiously looking for.”
All eyes were on the door. I had no time to wonder what the princess’s newest plan could possibly be before Archer burst into the room, his expression marred with worry. My heart skittered to a stop. “Archer…” I breathed.
His desperate gaze scanned the parlor before settling on me. He gaped at me for only a moment before in a few strides he reached me and pulled me into a suffocating hug.
“Where have you been, Anwen? I’ve been worried sick looking everywhere for you.” He pulled away just enough to scan me in order to determine my well-being. “What’s happened to you? Why are you dressed like that? Are you alright?”
I shook my head, having lost the ability to speak. Archer’s expression hardened as he slowly took in the confused expressions of our audience before his eyes narrowed at Liam.
“What have you done to my sister?”
“Your sister?” Liam’s eyes snapped to mine, pleading for me to deny my connection to Archer. I lowered my gaze and remained silent.
“Archer, is this woman your sister, Anwen?” Princess Lavena asked.
“Of course she is, Your Highness,” Archer snapped. “What brother doesn’t recognize his own sister?”
“Indeed.” Princess Lavena glared at Prince Nolan before her expression crumpled. “I can’t believe you didn’t recognize me.”
He sighed. “Of course I recognized you, Lavena. I detected your switch with Anwen immediately, at the wedding reception.”
She stared at him, her eyes glassy. “Then why did you side with her?”
“So she wouldn’t be punished for your scheme. What were you thinking, Lavena?”
She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I had nothing to do with this; I was the victim of that usurper and am determined to reclaim my rightful position.” She narrowed her eyes at me once more. “Don’t think you can get away with this, Anwen. You’re unfit for the royal position you’ve been masquerading in. I don’t even know how you managed to remain undetected for so long when you’re nothing more than a common goose girl.”
I ached to find the words to deny her accusations, but my mouth had gone dry and panic was pressing against my chest. “I—I—”
Liam’s expression crumpled at my hesitancy. “Wait, it can’t possibly be true. Tell me it’s not. You’re Lavena, my wife.”
I stood mutely, unable to defend myself with the power of the contract ring still binding me. The crushing helplessness caused the tears burning my eyes to escape.
Princess Lavena smirked. “Your silence is as good as a confession. You realize you’ve lost, haven’t you? In the end you can’t escape who you really are—nothing more than a servant—nor the fact that you’ve participated in this condemning scheme. Admit it: you’re an imposter who, along with your brother, orchestrated our switch in order to usurp the Dracerian throne.”
My swelling panic unclogged my throat. “Archer had nothing to do with it!”
No matter what fate befell me, I needed to protect my brother. My own escape was impossible. How could I have deluded myself into thinking I could deny the princess’s accusations? It made me seem even more guilty. Now no one would believe me when I told them it had all been her idea, but even so, Archer wouldn’t take the fall with me.
Princess Lavena pressed her hands on her hips, her smirk widening, looking very much like a spider who’d just caught a fly in her web, one she would devour mercilessly. “Your protectiveness of this peasant only confirms you’re not the real princess, for only Anwen, his sister, would care what fate befalls him. There’s no use in pretending; your continuing to deny your true identity will only condemn you more.”
She was right. There was no use lying any longer. It was over. I crumpled in defeat.
Liam’s eyes widened and he slowly pulled his hand away. “No, it can’t be true. Tell me it’s not.” He glanced back and forth between me and the princess before he stroked my cheek, wiping a few stray tears with his thumb. “Lavena, love? Tell her she’s wrong. You’re not this Anwen.”
I leaned against his touch. “I’m so sorry.” An apology, at least, wasn’t forbidden by the sadistic ring.
Liam shook his head, his expression frantic. “Please, it can’t be true.”
“It is, Liam,” the princess said. “She’s not Lavena, I am.”
“I don’t believe you.” Liam’s gaze met mine, desperate and pleading. “Tell them, darling. Tell them who you are. You’re Lavena, my wife.”
“I—” I ached to tell him everything, explain why I’d deceived him, but the power of the ring prevented the words from forming. It burned my hand, pain I was now numb to compared to the torture being inflicted on my breaking heart at the distress filling Liam’s expression. “I can’t.”
His expression hardened. “I don’t need your confession; I know who you are.” Liam spun on Prince Nolan. “She’s not a handmaiden; she’s Lavena, just as you said.”
Prince Nolan bit his lip. “I’m afraid I was mistaken.”
“You were mistaken? How can you not recognize your own sister?” Liam grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face the prince. “Tell me this is Lavena.”
Prince Nolan hesitated before his usual confident, regal manner slumped. “I’m sorry.”
“No!” Liam spun me back around to face him. “You’re Lavena. I refuse to believe anything else. Tell me, Lavena, tell me that’s who you are.”
My heart broke at the despair in his eyes, that my deception was hurting him as much as I’d always feared. More tears trickled down my cheeks, but I couldn’t answer. Several times I opened my mouth, but the ring’s searing once again forced my silence. I whimpered and cradled my throbbing hand to my chest.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Liam demanded.
“She can’t, Liam. She’s bound by a contract of silence, but I assure you that despite how this looks, she’s done nothing wrong.” Prince Nolan gently took my hand and turned to the princess. “Take off the ring, Lavena.”
&
nbsp; “No,” she said.
“This has gone on long enough.” Prince Nolan’s tone was hardening. “Take it off now and allow Anwen to defend herself…or are you too afraid of what she has to say?”
The princess stuck her chin in the air, her refusal.
“Take off the ring.” This fierce command came not from Prince Nolan but the king, who’d been observing the whole scene with the queen and Liam’s sisters.
Princess Lavena flinched at his hardened tone. She hesitated before stomping over with an exasperated sigh to yank the scorching ring off. The relief was instantaneous, for it wasn’t just the white, fiery pain that vanished, but the burden of deceit I’d been carrying for months finally lifting from my shoulders.
I extended my hand and stared at my ringless finger, bearing no sign of the burning it’d endured these past several months.
“Does that feel better, Anwen?” Prince Nolan asked kindly.
I nodded. “Much better.”
Liam gaped at me in disbelieving silence while Archer seized my hand and examined it front to back before raising his glare to the princess. “You bound my sister under that sadistic ring?”
Princess Lavena merely shrugged. “It was rather effective.”
Archer muttered a curse that I considered unwise to direct towards royalty. “Effective? Is that all you have to say for ruining my sister’s life?” I rested my hand on Archer’s arm but he shook it off. “You’ve always forced Anwen to do all sorts of things, but this is the worst—having her switch places with you for an arranged marriage? I curse fate for giving her looks so similar to yours.”
“Archer, please,” I whispered urgently. “Upsetting Her Highness will only make our situation worse.”
Archer tightened his jaw and obediently fell silent. Liam stared at my hand resting on my brother’s arm and slowly raised his gaze to mine.
“I still don’t want to believe it.”
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