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

Hera collapsed onto the bed as soon as she entered. The day’s event had drained her. And the prince...

The door creaked open, and Astrid entered with Selene and Iris.

Iris whistled, "I had no idea our little princess had all that charm." She teased. " You should have seen the other girls.... "

"Hera, sister," Astrid called softly, as she went over to bed to prop her up to a sitting position. "What’s wrong?"

The other girls came to sit beside her.

"You don’t exactly look like someone who just won the prince’s favour tonight," Selene chimed.

Hera shook her head ever so slightly. "There’s something terribly wrong going on, " she said. "I’m trying to rationalize this situation, but no matter how I think of it, I come to the same conclusion."

"Which is?" asked Astrid, a hint of fear in her voice.

"He isn’t who we think he is, Astrid," Hera replied, a little frantic. "You should have seen him. He enjoyed every second of it."

"You’re beginning to scare me, Hera," Astrid said, "by the gods, what exactly are you trying to tell me?"

Selene shot a glance at Iris, and both their shoulders tensed.

Hera explained the interaction: the sisters and their blatant rudeness, Adonis’ reaction, and fake sympathy. Then the way he lingered in his kiss after he had felt the other girls watching.

Astrid shot up from the bed. "The bastard," she cursed. "I knew he was up to no good. I could smell it on him the very first day I saw his arrogant face."

"Truly," Selene agreed. "He has to be entirely too pompous, or he is terribly stupid to think that these petty tricks will work on anyone."

"Did you see the other girls?" Iris winced, "I would say it’s worked so far, and they are the ones who are terribly stupid for falling for his tricks."

Astrid scoffed as she shook her head. "I saw what those girls were like, Iris," she said. "I would not call them stupid in the slightest."

"So they’re all in on this wicked game?" Iris gasped.

"Of course they are," Selene said flatly. "Do you not see what is at stake. The legendary kingdom of Erindros, the safety of their kingdom, eternal wealth, and glory."

"Eternal wealth indeed," Astrid remarked harshly. "But that’s besides the point. The point is, he has made you a common enemy number one for nothing. Nothing at all, Hera."

Hera’s face fell even more at this revelation.

Astrid paced about the room, hugging herself, while the girls sat silently.

"Why don’t we play his game as well?" Hera said calmly after a while. "Give him a taste of his own medicine."

Astrid stopped pacing and stared at Hera. Her eyes were slightly narrowed, and her lips were pressed into a thin line while the Selene and Iris turned to look at her as well.

"Tell me more," Astrid said.

"He obviously thinks I’m this smitten little girl who’s head over heels in love with him. We can use that to our advantage."

"Every other girl in this competition is playing that game, Hera," Astrid explained. " Do you really think all the other girls are in love with him?"

"True, but right now, I’m the object of attention. Everyone is currently fixated on the new princess who’s taken over the prince’s mind and soul, seemingly. Why don’t we use that as an advantage in the competition? "

Iris smirked, " We’ve got a lot to learn from this sister of yours, Astrid. "

"She makes a lot of sense if you think about it," said Selene. "Ultimately, we are here for the protection of your kingdom above all else."

Astrid took Hera’s hands in hers. "What about your happiness, sister?"

"My happiness is secondary," she replied, her voice resigned to the possible outcome of her life.

Iris placed a hand on Astrid, gently stroking her lap.

Astrid gave her a sad smile and covered her hand with hers.

"I wish I could prevent all of this someone sister. I wish this weren’t your future. To live in a marriage purely for alliance and nothing more," Astrid said.

"Think nothing of it. I do this because I can. Because of our people, and because..." Of mother and father, Hera wanted to say, but stopped herself.

Astrid understood her silence but said nothing. Thoughts of their parents had come to her on multiple occasions since they set out on their journey. I hope they are well, she thought.

"It’s settled then," Selene said. "We will need to prepare for the worst because anything could happen at any moment."

The girls nodded gravely.

They talked for a while more; Iris trying to lighten the mood with her corny remarks, and the other girls chiming in and having a laugh from time to time.

Selene and Iris finally retreated to their rooms, leaving Astrid and Hera to the silence of their.

They both said quietly, staring aimlessly about the room.

"We made such a mess for the stupid dinner, " Astrid said, motioning to the clothes on the floor.

"It wasn’t entirely wasted, sister," Hera retorted with a small smile. "I got to see you in a lovely dress, a goddess."

Astrid groaned playfully. She got up and began picking the clothes, folding them neatly and placing them in their respective trucks.

Hera stood to go seat by the window, gazing over the palace walls, towards the city.

"What do you think our lives here would be like?" She asked.

"There’s only one way for us to know that sister," Astrid replied solemnly, not looking up from the clothes she folded. "By living another day in this accursed place."

"Many would kill to be here, you know. If only to stroll through these walls."

"We aren’t most people, Hera. And truthfully, under the right circumstances, I would probably be happy to live in a place like this. To never lack gold or silver, no fear of invasion or instability. To be revered by all simply because we were the strongest."

"You know, Astrid," Hera said, her voice low. "I have this sinking feeling that we’re not really here to win over a prince."

Astrid finally stopped folding the clothes and went to sit beside her.

"Why would you think that, sister?" Astrid asked.

Hera peered into her eyes, sitting so silently as the world had paused.

"His sisters," she finally said. "As we approached the drawing room, I heard one of the sisters allude that the king had planned something. I don’t know what it is or if my thoughts are far-fetched, but I strongly believe that this family is up to no good."

Astrid was quiet, contemplating her words.

"I would put nothing past them," Asrid replied gravely. "I will simply have to find out whatever it is they might have planned."