“Speak when spoken to by a princess,” Gallienus spat at them, and at his words and tone, I tensed.

Cassius tensed.

All our people who had gathered around us tensed.

“Do not do one thing that you do not wish to do or are not comfortable doing,” I decreed sharply.

That got me all three pairs of eyes examining me (though they did this under brows).

Horatia, the oldest (I guessed), peered at me with some measure, and I assessed her instantly as a problem.

Cornelia was gazing at me with some surprise, but a good deal of reserve, and I decided she needed further assessment.

Domitia stared at me in shock (yes, even over her brows).

“And do not bow your heads to me. We are equals. We are sisters,” I educated.

“You are a princess and they are—” Gallienus started.

“Queens,” I finished for him.

I heard a gasp, presumably from Domitia, but nothing from the others.

“They are known as Ladies Royal. We have no queens in Airen,” Gallienus informed me.

“My bride will be a queen,” Cassius put in.

“Your choice, not mine,” Gallienus said to him.

Cassius, as I’d noted he often dealt with his father, dismissed him and turned to the women who all still had their heads bowed.

“Elena told you to raise your heads,” he said, his tone gentling.

“We obey the command of our king,” Horatia announced, and both the women at her side shuffled a bit.

Yes, a problem,

Gallienus subjugated them.

Horatia ruled them.

“Then it’s important you know that, during our travels, your king did not abdicate his throne, but he abdicated his authority and I am now Prince Regent, ruler of this land and this Citadel. So, when I tell you to raise your heads, I mean for you to obey me,” Cassius returned in a much less gentle voice, and I suspected he spoke as such because he knew precisely what role Horatia played in this sick farce.

Both Cornelia and Domitia raised their heads, each wearing expressions that were masks of shock.

Horatia lifted her gaze much more slowly and her expression was composed.

Too composed.

She said nothing but her eyes were working.

Definitely a problem.

“And it’s important to note, as Prince Regent, my intended will be Princess Regent,” Cassius shared.

Domitia’s mouth dropped open.

Cornelia’s gaze shifted into the distance beyond us, her face frozen.

Horatia’s eyes went slightly squinty.

“This will become official on our wedding,” Cassius continued. “But you should behave as if it is official now.”

Gallienus made a sneering noise.

Horatia looked to her husband.

The others looked toward the ground.

“And the wedding will be going forward,” I proclaimed gaily, gaining all the women’s attention. I forced my voice to remain light as I said words I did not wish to say. “So perhaps while Cassius discusses the state of Sky Bay and this dreadful siege, we can talk about happier things, like how the wedding plans are coming along.”