But…
I won’t hand her over—to the Kingdom of Bakr, or anyone else!
Edward had finally captured a piece of her heart, and he had no plans on letting it go.
A Protector was regarded as a higher status than the royal family, but they were like caged birds, placed under strict control. Separated from the world, their actions were severely restricted. It would be very difficult for Amy to see her beloved animals, and helping veterinarians would simply be out of the question.
Edward could never imagine Amy wanting a life like that.
As royalty, Jahal’s words were orders, even if they were framed like requests. The only one present who could refuse Jahal was Edward.
But even if he and Amy had taken a step forward in their relationship, they hadn’t become officially engaged yet, so Edward had no legal right to speak on Amy’s behalf.
The only one who had those rights were Joshua, but he was just an earl—he couldn’t refuse a royal request.
Jahal will back down, even if we can’t end this amicably.
But which card should I play…?
In a split second, Edward turned to Jahal, opened his mouth to speak, and then felt a hand press against his shoulder.
Joshua took a half step forward, as if reining Edward in.
“Prince Jahal, thank you very much for speaking so highly of my daughter. But to be frank with you, it would be quite difficult for Amy to go to Bakr, for you see…Amy and His Highness Edward are to be engaged.”
Joshua spoke at a nearly indistinguishable volume, but he said the words “are to be engaged” very loudly and clearly. Everyone who overheard him immediately turned their attention toward the group.
“I hadn’t heard that,” said Jahal.
“It was only just decided,” replied Joshua. “We haven’t made an official announcement yet, but we shall have an engagement ceremony as soon as preparations are completed.”
In the middle of the sudden chaos around them as onlookers reacted to the news that the Third Prince had decided on his fiancée, Edward just managed to conceal his own surprise.
In accordance with the official formalities of getting engaged, Edward’s final step would have been securing permission from Amy’s father. That would have been easy enough if Edward forced it using his royal authority, but he hadn’t wanted to do that. Isabelle had warned him in advance that it would probably take more than one try.
Edward knew about this and had been prepared to try several times, but not once had he ever imagined Joshua would step up and proclaim his approval first.
It was incredibly uncharacteristic—unless Joshua, like Edward, had felt the same unease about Jahal’s request and grew concerned for Amy. This was undoubtedly the best response they could have hoped for, as it politely rejected Jahal’s request without publicly humiliating him.
“If you still insist that she go to Bakr,” Joshua continued, “I would ask that you discuss that with Amy herself—and His Highness, of course.”
Joshua’s black hair—the same shade as Amy’s—rustled slightly as he turned to look at Edward. Edward met Joshua’s measured gaze head-on.
“Hm… I didn’t see that coming,” said Jahal. His dark eyes smiled as he slowly turned to Edward.
“I can’t exactly bring the future wife of the Third Prince back with me to Bakr, can I? You should have told me that you decided to make it official, Ed.”
“He tried, but you interrupted him,” Alec interjected.
Ignoring Alec completely, Jahal extended his right hand to Edward.
“I withdraw my request. Congratulations on your engagement, Ed… That’s right! You guys can still come to Bakr for fun, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then you two have to come to Bakr for your first official tour! Let’s shake on it.”
They briefly squeezed and then let go of each other’s hands. Then, looking satisfied, Jahal swiftly turned his back to them and, along with his two countrymen, left just as abruptly as he had arrived.
The moment he vanished from sight, the onlookers that had surrounded the group came surging toward them, clamoring to congratulate Edward or ask about what had just happened.
“I’ll take care of things here,” Alec muttered out of the corner of his mouth. “Just get out of here.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Alec.”
With Alec distracting everyone, Edward and Joshua broke away from the group.
Weaving through crowds of partygoers, the two men ducked out to the balcony, miraculously devoid of people. Edward took a deep breath of the invigorating nighttime breeze.
Edward and Joshua gently leaned against the guardrail. He was the first to break the silence.
“Director… About what just happened…”
“All I did was respect my daughter’s wishes. Regardless of what I said just now, the engagement ceremony will have to wait until Amy comes of age,” Joshua started laying out the terms in a monotone, matter-of-fact voice. “Also, make note of the fact that if I decide you cannot keep my daughter safe, not only will your engagement be dissolved, but we will take her and disappear from this place entirely.”
Edward nodded gravely. Joshua’s voice sounded much the same as it always did, but Edward could tell that he spoke very seriously and with a heavy heart.
The Earl of Northland that Edward knew was a man who poured his heart and soul into his magical tool research, but he was also a man who would do absolutely anything for his family without even flinching.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Please do.”
“You know…this was the first time the circumstances of my birth have been helpful.”
All Edward wanted was to keep Amy from being a Protector.
He had always felt confined and restricted as a member of the royal family, but if he could use that position as a shield to protect Amy with, he would use it until there was nothing left.
But there was something else…
“Actually, I was kind of looking forward to you turning me away over and over,” Edward confessed.
“I was, too. You have good friends, Your Highness. That boy certainly threw a wrench in my plans,” Joshua said with a sigh.
In the end, Edward got everything he wanted without even lifting a finger.
Edward had no idea how far Jahal had thought ahead before he had started the scene, but he suddenly came to the realization that Jahal had probably chosen that time and place because he would’ve been pleased with either outcome it afforded—Amy going to Bakr or her engagement with Edward becoming official.
“Oh, also…” said Joshua, “Amy wants you to tell her when you’re free, because she has something she wants to talk to you about.”
“Amy?”
“I’m not exactly impressed with her using her father as a messenger bird myself, but I have conveyed the message.”
They frequently exchanged letters, but Amy had never told him that she wanted to see him—or talk to him—before. Edward nodded, unable to hide his surprise or excitement.
“Well then, if you’ll excuse me…” Joshua said as he started to walk away.
“Director!” Edward called out.
Joshua stopped and stood up a little straighter.
This might not have been the time or place he had imagined asking the question, but he had to say it.
“Director… No, Earl Northland… I wanted to formally ask…may I have your daughter’s hand in marriage?”
Edward stared ahead at the other man, gently clenching his slightly trembling fingers reflexively. It was the most nervous Edward had felt in his entire life.
Joshua’s eyes widened in surprise, and after a few moments of silence, he quietly sighed.
“It would just be lame if I gave you my permission after I already approved of the engagement, don’t you think? Then I’ll take the liberty of saying the alternative just this once… You can’t have my daughter!”
Joshua smiled, looking satisfied with himself. Edward smiled back in relief.
After Joshua left, Edward stood on the balcony, taking in deep breaths as the tension left his body and the bright moon climbed higher and higher into the night sky.