Forced to marry the enemy prince in her sister's place

Hera had decided that after her last foray, she wouldn’t be going over to see Niko for a few weeks. She needed to mend her relationships, if she still had any left.

True to his word, Niko had come by later that day to check on her. And she led him back to the gates so they wouldn’t see him.

"I think we need to slow down," Hera said when they neared his carriage. "I’m getting a lot of heat for the way I’ve been handling my relationship with you. I’ve been acting like I didn’t have a care in the world, like I wouldn’t be picked to be the prince’s bride when the time comes."

"I mean, you most likely will not be, but I understand your need to be careful," Niko replied.

"From now on, we’ll see each other at the palace. Don’t come by too frequently, or I may get into so much trouble. At least until things stabilize and we can visit other places again."

"Alright," Niko nodded.

Hera retreated to her room afterward, taking her meals separately so she didn’t want to talk to the other girls. As much as she wanted to know how Ophelia and the girls were doing, they had hurt her last time with the joke when they all laughed at her expense.

After the third day, Hera could no longer stay cooped up in her room like she’d committed an outrageous sin.

After she’d had breakfast in her room, she’d gone to check the library. She’d temporarily forgotten this place had existed with everything happening in her life.

She entered the library and went through shelf after shelf until she settled for a book on the last shelf and sat by the window. She read for quite some time before she saw some Andromeda, sneaking around through the window.

Hera wanted to call for her but decided against it. Then one of the servants followed after a while. Hera’s mouth fell to the floor. She couldn’t believe what she had just witnessed. And here she was thinking that she’d committed a heinous crime by being with Niko.

Two other princesses walked into the library, talking as loudly as they could.

"At this point, I think everyone’s fed up already," Princess A said. "No wonder everyone is having a go at it with the servants."

"To think we were all laughing at that girl, what’s her name again?" Princess B asked.

"You mean Hera?"

"Yes, her. At least she snagged herself a proper gentleman. Those of us with no prospect are forced to pick from these filthy servants."

Hera’s lips twitched. She was beside herself with joy. She could finally walk into that dining hall with no one judging her.

The girls didn’t stay for long. And they thankfully didn’t notice her before they’d left.

Hera knew it was time to seek out the one person who actually cared about her.

She got up and immediately felt dizzy. "Wow, whoa," Hera mumbled. What was that? She must have probably stood up too quickly, Hera thought. She leaned against the wall for a while before she began moving.

Iris had gone to Penelope’s room and was lying on the bed.

"You seem beside yourself, Iris. Are you still upset with her?" Penelope asked.

"What?" Iris scoffed, "Of course I’m not. I was... I was just thinking of Astrid and the other girls."

"Don’t lie to me, Iris, you know I can read through you like a book."

Iris rolled her eyes and sighed. "The girl is just so stubborn, just like her sister. The only difference is that she has never had to deal with the consequences of anything."

"You shouldn’t really be too hard on her. There’s a huge chance my brother isn’t going to pick her. He might not even pick anyone."

Iris sat up in bed. "Is there something you’re not telling me?" Iris narrowed her eyes.

Penelope chuckled, "It’s just a haunch, Iris, if I knew something, I would have told you, my family keeps me out of the loop a lot of the time, so I end up finding out about crucial things at the very last moment."

Iris’s shoulders slumped again. "Well, that’s sad."

"Yes, I know. But what I’m trying to say is, she might never marry my brother, so no need to deny her happiness. Besides, all the other girls are dealing with the servants, at least most of them."

"What?!" Iris let out a gasp.

Penelope laughed. "You didn’t know?" She whispered. "Well, it’s quite the topic of conversation between the maids. They’re all upset that the princesses are taking their men, and the men think they’re much too important for the women, so it’s just so much." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"I can imagine," Iris said mirthfully and burst out laughing.

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Penelope asked.

"It’s Hera."

"Speak of the devil," Penelope mumbled. "You can come in."

"I thought I’d find you here," Hera said when she saw Iris.

"Well, here I am."

Hera stood for a while watching Iris. "Are you still upset with me?"

"I was never upset with you, Hera," Iris said, "I was just worried."

"I know, and I’m sorry." She’d faced the floor.

"It’s fine, Hera, I don’t think there’s anything you need to apologize for. Besides, I hear that things are happening with the other princesses, so I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you."

"About sleeping with the servants?" Hera asked.

Iris’s eyes widened. "You know about it?"

"I actually just learnt that that was happening a moment ago. I saw Andromeda sneaking around with a servant."

Penelope chortled, "Well, that is very on brand for her. Isn’t she the one who has been going around telling everyone who wishes to hear that she isn’t interested in a marriage with my brother?"

"I wouldn’t say she’s explicitly said that; she has been a little nonchalant about the whole process."

"Well, that’s good for her." Penelope laughed again.

"The only thing I will say," Iris chimed, "is that you be very careful with Niko. Unless he has stated his clear intentions towards you, you shouldn’t do...."

Hera gagged and covered her mouth.

Both Iris and Penelope sent glances at each other.

Hera gagged again and ran to a bucket nearby and vomited.

Penelope’s smile was devious as she looked at Iris. "The show is just getting started."

Iris shook her head. "So it would seem."