Annalisa

2AnnaliseMy eyes abruptly snapped open and I was met with the sight of both my parents and sister looking down at me.“She’s awake!” a voice screamed, and the entire place erupted in cheers.A stabbing pain shot through my head and I closed my eyes tightly, trying to relieve it. Soon, the hall became quiet and so did the chaos in my head. My mum stretched her hand out to me and I took it. She and my dad pulled me up, before they both enveloped me in a hug.“I thought I had lost you for good,” my mum mumbled into the group hug.Lost me? What is she talking about? What happened? I had a lot of questions.We finally disentangled ourselves from the hug and my dad slowly turned me to face the podium.On the podium, Spencer stood talk with wide grin plastered on his face. Contrary to normal, butterflies didn’t begin to flutter in my stomach at the smile. Instead, I felt strangely disgusted.I looked around me, mentally noting how each seat in the fairly large hall was occupied by elegantl

4AnnaliseI clenched my fists tightly as I watched him say his vows.Lies, all lies, I mentally screamed.“I love you so much and I promise to continue to do so for the rest of our lives, while also supporting you. Cheers, to being my viscountess,” he had recited.“Lies,” I whispered.The guest on my right turned to look at me with a raised questioning eyebrow and I flashed her a smile I hoped appeared reassuring. I redirected my attention to the couple about to be wed.Spenver had just finished giving hid vows, and it was now Annalissa’s turn. Everyone was quiet and staring at her with expectant eyes.I watched her as she looked around. In her eyes, there were a lot of emotions that usually weren’t present on one’s wedding day. Fear, most especially. Her eyes could not hide the cluelessness I’m sure she must be feeling.Is everything okay? I wondered. She looked to hesitant for it to be a mere delay.I crossed my fingers. Is this where fate would change?She cleared her throat. “Wel

6ANNALISEMy head throbbed like a drum solo after a particularly raucous night. The smoky haze of the tavern clung to my clothes, and the memory of those hulking men loomed large. Yet, a sliver of amusement bubbled up through the fog. My mysterious savior, with his fancy clothes and misplaced bravado, had waltzed in and saved the day.“Who are you?” I repeated, the question echoing in the quiet night.He chuckled, a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. “Someone who fancies himself a knight in not-so-shining armor.”“A knight?” I scoffed, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “More like a gambler with a lucky charm.”“Perhaps,” he conceded, a glint in his eyes that made my stomach do a nervous flip. “But a gambler who won you a fair shake, wouldn’t you say?”Fair shake. The phrase hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. This stranger, whoever he was, had rewritten my future with a single, audacious move.“Thank you,” I mumbled, the words inadequate but since

8ANNEFury vibrated through me like a poorly strummed lute. My perfectly manicured nails dug into the velvet of the armchair, leaving faint crescent moons of frustration. There he sat, my supposed father, the Duke of Wales, sipping his brandy with an air of nonchalance that would make a saint want to spit fire.“That’s it?” I hissed, barely containing the storm within. “You just hand over the Dukedom to Annalisa? No fight, no argument?”He chuckled, a dry rasp that grated on my nerves. “Fight with whom, Anne? Annalisa’s the one who actually cares about this crumbling pile of stones. You, on the other hand…”His voice trailed off, the implication clear – I only cared about the wealth and prestige the Dukedom brought. He wasn’t wrong, not entirely. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t fight tooth and nail to keep it.“She’s reckless, impulsive!” I sputtered, leaping to my feet. “That so-called husband of hers appeared out of thin air, and she marries him within a day! Is that the kind of pe

10ANNALISEThe ballroom spun, a dizzying kaleidoscope of swirling skirts and flashing jewels. Duke Rhys and his coven of witches had thrown a bash to celebrate the successful retrieval of a mythical artifact – something about a talking teapot, if memory served. My parents, usually stoic and reserved, were practically waltzing on air. Dad, surprisingly light on his feet, kept twirling Mom around until her laughter echoed through the hall.Meanwhile, I was stuck with Adrian. Not exactly a punishment, but not the dashing prince I’d envisioned for this grand occasion, either. We’d been partnered together because, as the Duke helpfully pointed out, “we young folk need to stick together.” As if I needed reminding. Adrian, in his usual rumpled suit, stood out like a moth in a butterfly garden. But there was something about his smile – a hint of mischief in his eyes – that made him strangely endearing.He led me through the steps of a waltz, his hand surprisingly firm on my lower back. We ci