Page 31 of Heartless Sinner

Crown stabbing aside, he was a king who genuinely cared about his people. There was a reason Calira constantly landed on those best-places-to-live lists.

Mom rushed toward me from her chair beside Grandpa. Our dresses were nearly the same shade of green.

“My beautiful girl.” She kissed my cheek before pulling me into a tight hug.

Since she was no longer allowed in the States, this was the first time we’d seen each other in months. I stayed in her arms for another second before moving on to my grandmother. Her black hair was cut into a sharp Sharon Osbourne bob.

She kissed both my cheeks and sat back down.

“You’re seated beside Cory.” Grandfather nodded down the table.

I followed his stare to the empty chair between my mom and Cory.

Cory straightened in his chair and grinned up at me. I walked around the table, my heels clinking against the marble. Cory jumped up, bowed, then pulled out my chair.

I managed not to roll my eyes when he looked over at my grandfather, as if checking to make sure he’d witnessed his Prince Charming routine.

Prime Minister Bellamonte lifted his pointy chin and gave me a hint of a smile.

As I draped the napkin across my lap, Cory leaned in closer to whisper, “It’s nice to see you back at this table, Princess.”

My corset suddenly felt tighter. I hated how he stole my grandfather’s words and made them feel less sentimental.

“I walked through Lacona Village this morning and overheard people talking about your return,” he went on. “They like having their princess back and can’t wait for you to live here after graduation.”

The servers walking in with our breakfast saved me from having to answer him.

Right on cue, my grandfather started speaking. He controlled the conversation through breakfast, per usual.

I sliced the same strawberry into smaller and smaller pieces while Vittoria and Aunt Oriana stared me down.

Vittoria was two years older than me. We’d always gotten along, but we’d never been close. I blamed her mother for that. Aunt Oriana turned everything between us into a competition.

Who dresses better. Who behaves better. Who will make a better princess.

Mom being the next in line for the throne only made it worse. If I moved back to Calira, I’d push Oriana even farther down the line of succession.

Not that I wanted the throne. I’d happily sit on the sidelines with margaritas, Netflix, and enough sage to cleanse the entire castle while someone else handled ruling a whole-ass kingdom.

Hell, I could barely decide what I wanted for lunch most days. No way should any sane person put the fate of a country in my hands.

I tuned out most of breakfast until my grandfather finally brought up the Tide Ball.

The Tide Ball celebrated Calira’s independence every year, and it was my favorite royal event.

“Since she’s the future of Calira, Princess Marjorie will deliver a speech,” my grandfather announced.

Mom’s fork scraped against her plate.

Oriana looked like she wanted to stab my mother in the chest.

“Every single one of you will conduct yourself as a royal.” Grandfather’s head slowly turned in my direction.

Oh, come on.

He’d never let me live down the one incident where I’d gotten caught making out with a guy behind the curtains onstage.

How was I supposed to know they’d open early?