Chapter 46 - Why Do People Keep Throwing Me Off Today? (1/2)

Even at one's own engagement ball, it's not proper to only dance with one partner the whole time. I danced with Percy (decent), Edmund (fun), the count (horribly awkward), and a couple of random noblemen (also horribly awkward) after my dance with Al ended.

I was afraid of who I might end up with next. I couldn't decide whether the last person I wanted to dance with was Sigmund or Duke Orla. Both options were equally horrendous.

”May I have the honor of dancing with my future sister-in-law?” Franz asked, offering a hand out to me as the next song was starting.

I smiled at him gratefully and accepted. I thought he might want to talk about what had happened earlier in his office but he brought it up in a way I didn't expect.

”Katie…you know that Mariela holds you in very high regard.”

”Oh?”

”Whatever she said to you today, she still respects you and values your friendship.” Does she? She was awfully upset when she practically threw me out.

He continued with a look of concern on his face.

”You were right before. She has been terribly lonely. I have neglected her by being caught up in my own work and you are the one who made me see that clearly. I will always owe you for that. Even though I am trying to be better about being there for her, she still needs female companionship that I cannot offer. Please make up with her, will you?”

My head spun nearly as quickly as the dancing couples surrounding us. I didn't think he would play the loving husband card.

”Franz, what happened today was a fundamental disagreement of opinion about something that Mariela doesn't fully understand. I can't explain it either so there is no way of resolving the issue.”

”Does the issue have to be resolved in order to spend time together?” he pleaded.

I had never seen him like this. His love for Mariela was stronger than I thought. They must have bonded a lot since our little talk in the sitting room.

Did it? I doubted Mariela would want to spend time with me knowing that I planned to run away. What would be the point of getting closer to someone destined to leave?

”I think it does.”

Franz sighed. ”I feared that might be the case. Please do try to reconsider. She likes you best out of everyone in Annalaias after all.”

The last statement was tinged with bitterness. He realized his shortcomings as a husband had cost him her affection.

At least he seemed to be on the right track now. Mariela had been much more content since he started giving her work to do.

”Maybe this is an opportunity for that to change,” I suggested.

Wasn't that my plan with Al anyway? Slipping away would bring him closer to Marcy.

”Without me around, she'll need someone to talk to.”