Chapter 31 - Bosom Sisters (1/2)

Once the heavy stuff was out of the way, Mariela and I chatted for a while. She was a rather insightful person; given the chance, she really would make a terrific diplomat.

My distaste at this world's chauvinistic ways grew the more I learned about her predicament. She would have shone like a star in my world. I could easily see her being one of those influential women that teenage girls idolize on social media.

She could have become anything she wanted if she hadn't been born in this fantasyland. Mariela deserved much more than being a decoration.

The duke had wanted me for my mind. Did Franz not realize what a sharp one his wife had?

For someone aspiring to be king, he certainly didn't know how to manage his resources. Were all men here so pigheaded?

If he knew anything at all about his wife's homeland, he should have realized her potential. Shibatsu sounded like a pretty decent country to live in. It was as good a place as any to escape to once I got out of this restrictive palace.

”Your homeland sounds beautiful,” I complimented as we continued our walk around the garden.

Homesickness flashed in her eyes and she let out a dainty sigh. ”It is. I wish I could show it to you.”

”Are you not allowed to visit?”

”I am, but only when the summit of allied nations meets there. Each country sends delegates on behalf of their monarchy and takes turns hosting. Since I am from Shibatsu, the next time they hold the conference Franz and I will go but that is four years away.”

I could relate to her obvious yearning. At least she could go home for a little while someday. As far as I could tell, I was stuck here forever and just had to make the most of it.

There was no way for me to visit my world. Ever. An unexpected wave of grief washed over me.

I had thought I was over it by now and accepted my fate but sometimes my loss still got to me. I missed Abby. My dinky little library job. T-shirts and sweatpants. Hamburgers.

More than anything, I missed my freedom and knowing what to expect. All of those monotonous days that blended together sounded like heaven in hindsight.

”I understand,” I said simply. Better than anyone else here, I understood longing for a place you couldn't go back to.

Mariela gazed at me curiously. ”Your eyes give it away. You DO understand. But how can that be when your home is less than a day's ride from here?”

”You wouldn't believe me if I told you.”

Her soft, tinkling laugh rang out.

”You make it sound so dramatic. Feel free to keep your secrets. I am merely glad someone here can empathize with what I am going through. Rosenia is not the same. Despite being a foreign princess like me, she has never once missed Rowenhilde. She has everything she ever wanted here so she has no reason to.”

”Do you not love your husband?” I blurted, unable to help myself.