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

They were finally done with the dye and had loaded them into the ships. The girls were all out by the lake, with some of them lying on the sand while the others had their feet in the water.

"So, girls," Astrid spoke up. "I was thinking, since everything is almost sorted out, there’s no need to go back to Erindros. I will escort the prince back, bring back my sister, and we will be back here before you know it."

The girls glanced at one another until Clair spoke.

"I would have really wanted to be by your side throughout this whole ordeal, but as it stands, I’ve had enough excitement as it is," she chuckled awkwardly.

"You’re staying behind?" Astrid asked, "You’re not upset?"

"Of course not," she grinned. "I had the best time with the best people, how could I be sad. However, I do not think I could handle living another day in Erindros. It’s a stiff city. And it isn’t for me."

The other girls nodded slightly in agreement.

"I think that’s also enough excitement for me," Calista chimed, "we’ll wait for you to come back, and we’ll take care of your home while you’re away."

Astrid smiled, and her eyes glowed with joy. This was her family. They were blessings she didn’t know anyone could have.

"We sail out tomorrow," she announced.

The girls perked up in surprise. "I thought you were leaving in two days?" Theia asked.

"That was the initial plan," Astrid said. She got up and walked along the shallow parts of the lake. "But Adonis and I decided that we needn’t waste more time. We have to head back to Erindros quickly," she said. "You’re not the only one eager to never set foot again in that city." She turned to Clair and splashed a little water on her.

Clair gasped, then ran into the water, a cunning smile forming on her face. She grabbed Astrid and pushed her into the water.

Astrid stood up immediately, gasping for air, and laughed. "Traitor," she yelled with fake hurt.

Clair laughed at her and looked at the other girls who still lay in the sand. "Get in here, you idiots," she shouted.

The girls giggled and ran into the water, playing and laughing till they could no longer stand, and then headed back to the palace, drenched.

"By the gods," Valeria muttered when she saw the girls wet and sandy. "What did you do?"

"Mother," Astrid said sweetly and hung a hand around her mother while the girls rushed past them with a tight smile. "Don’t be so rigid. We only had a little fun."

Valerie scowled at her and wrapped her hand around her neck. "You don’t need to be drenched and almost naked for that to happen. Just look at you."

Astrid laughed. "Mother, I understand. I’ll change immediately."

Valeria shook her head and turned away so Astrid wouldn’t see that she was holding back a smile.

"Good night, mother."

"I’ll have some food sent to your room."

Astrid pecked her mother loudly on the cheek. "You’re the best," she said as she walked away.

The cold night air made Astrid shudder, but she smiled at the feeling. She looked down at herself. She loved the feeling of the sand on her body.

"Whoa," Augustus said, interrupting her thoughts. "You should look where you’re going, your highness."

Astrid grinned, "Augustus, I’ve told you not to call me that. It makes me feel strange."

Augustus smiled at her, and his eyes flickered over her body. He turned his head to the side immediately and chuckled.

Astrid looked down at herself, clenched her eyes shut, and but her lips. She instantly crossed her hands over her chest, and her cheeks burned bright red.

"I see you just came back from the lake." Augustus cleared his throat.

"Yes," she said and let out a little awkward laugh.

"Well... Ermmm... We should talk later then, I should let you go," he rambled.

"Yes, of course. I wouldn’t want to catch a cold and infect you."

"Yes, yes. That’s the right thing to do," he said as he backed away from her and walked towards the courtyard.

Astrid smiled to herself when he’d left. She always felt giddy in his presence; unfortunately, nothing might come of her growing affection.

She couldn’t bring herself to sleep, not when she knew that dawn meant that they would leave. She stayed awake, tossing and turning in her bed. Eventually, through all the thinking, she’d somehow fallen asleep.

She groaned despondently when Selene had woken her up. "A few more minutes," she pleaded.

"We have a long way to go, Astrid. I can’t let you sleep forever," she laughed.

"Just a few more minutes, Selene."

"No." Selene shook her violently and dragged her from the bed. "Now, you’re awake," she said and chuckled.

"That hurt," Astrid whined.

"Stand up, Astrid, get yourself together." Selene looked at her with her hands on her hips. "I know what you’re trying to do, Astrid."

Astrid sighed. "Fine. Alright."

Selene smiled at her, "Let me help you."

"There’s nothing to take, I came empty-handed."

Selene rolled her eyes, "Your mother bought the whole town while you were here."

"Don’t exaggerate, Selene, it’s just a few clothes."

"Life of the privileged," Selene feigned a sigh. "She bought so much jewellery and clothes that you might not be able to wear them all in your lifetime."

"You win," Astrid said while laughing. "But I can’t take them with me, I already have so many back at Erindros. We took so many with us, don’t you remember?"

"It slipped my mind. We’ll have to get them back. Well, you can just pack the essentials."

The girls got ready and went out to meet Astrid’s parents. Everyone had converged in the throne room.

"If it isn’t the queen herself," Calista said loudly.

A few of the girls grinned.

Astrid rolled her eyes and went to her parents. "Mother, father," she said as she hugged them.

"I wish you’d have stayed longer." There was a glint in Valerie’s eyes as she spoke. "But I’m still happy. I got to see my darling girl."

"I’ll be back, mother, don’t worry," Astrid said and kissed her cheek. She turned to her father and smiled. "I love you," she whispered and hugged him. "I’ll see you again." He nodded and sniffed.

She turned to the girls, "I’ll be back."

"That’s all?" Doris said, "No tears for us?"

Astrid rolled her eyes and chuckled, then she and Selene hugged the girls.

"Alright, boys, let’s go."