Not yet

It was time for dinner. Usually everyone did what they wanted during this time. Although, that day. Rowan had been told to be seated in the dining room.

He decided to that he would tell his parents that night that he was going to return to the tower, for something important. He didn't quite figure out what to tell them but he was sure the lie would come naturally to him.

As he descends the steps, in to the dining room. He sees, Bria and her parents seated as well. Dressed in formal wear.

He's eyes met his mother's with a query look and she mouths for him to get down immediately.

He greets everyone politely as he usually did and is seated right opposite his mother at the table and right next to Bria.

Bria smiles at him sheepishly and then faces her father.

The greyhound locks eyes with him and grunts under his breath. Sharing an awkward smile with his wife.

That was strange.

The conversation the rest of the night was very friendly and awkward. Both families were too close to be acting this strange. Things like this usually would go over his head but this time something was definitely off.

Bria was wearing one of her ballroom dresses which was surprising because she hated them. Brandon was wearing an attire similar to what one would wear to a ball. Which was something the greyhound rarely ever did.

Not to mention Helen and Bria's mother Kiera were less chatty than they usually were.

During the desert, Bria eyes her parents.

Kiera then clears her throat. " The strudel is delicious, Helen. I've always wanted the recipe. Brianna enjoys them very much."

" Well," Helen teases her strudel with her fork. " Thank you, of course she'll soon be having them whenever she likes. Isn't that right, Roland?" She gently places her hand on his arm.

Roland turns to Helen and then Rowan before letting out a disgruntled sigh. " Why, yes. Bria will soon be dining here all the time." He replies in agreement.

Everyone continues eating, except Rowan who looks around the table confused.

" Why would she be dining here?" He turns to Bria. "Are you joining the palace as mother's lady-in-waiting?"

They all start to laugh nervously. Except the greyhound. The man was starting to look very uncomfortable.

Bria reaches for his hand under the table. "No, after the wedding silly." She looks to the older adults. " It's still under discussion, but it has been agreed on already."

Rowan pauses for several seconds, the reality of the situation was starting to set in as he watches Bria's excited expression.

" Are you talking about... marriage?" He chokes the last words out. His eyes darting around the table." Between Bria and I?"

Kiera speaks up " Yes, Rowan." Her she looks to everyone else. " It was a collective discussion. We thought you wouldn't mind since you've never spoken up against the idea."

Rowan had imagined this scenario before in the past. Not fondly, but he knew that this was inevitable if he didn't act differently. Now Bria was finally getting married and it was going to be to him.

He couldn't marry anyone, not with this curse, not while he still thought about someone else.

Not yet...

Rowan watches as everyone in the room looks at him expectedly. He's at a lose for words.

" Well, I was going to return to the tower tomorrow. " He thinks of an excuse, as they all look to him in confusion. " I lost some of my mana there after I was knocked out and I would like to retrieve it back instead retraining for it."

Rowan watches their reactions. It was the most likely lie they'd believe. After all, He did get lost in the forest after all.

" But you told me that everything was fine." Bria squeezes his hand.

" What took your mana, son?" The king further asks.

Helen just watches him quietly, without saying anything. Her expression stern" You did seem a bit weaker. " She comments. " I'll have the servants pack your things. Hopefully you retrieve your mana in time for the wedding."

Rowan could tell that his mother just lied to save face. She already saw him use his magic and knew he was more than fine.

The awkward dinner was over after that. Rowan had never wanted to disappear so badly on his life. He couldn't wait for the next day.

The palace courtyard was still wrapped in the pale hush of dawn, mist curling around the carriage wheels as servants moved briskly, loading trunks and crates with practiced hands. Rowan descended the stone steps, boots echoing softly in the chill air. His breath fogged in front of him. At the foot of the stairs stood his mother, arms folded, her lips pressed into a line of quiet fury. She didn't speak, she didn't have to.

Rowan barely had time to open his mouth before his mother turned to him, her voice clipped.

"I had to lie for you. No, I chose to lie for you." she says, not looking at him, her eyes fixed ahead. "Kiera and Brianna were excited yesterday, unlike you." Her gaze finally met his, cold and steady. " I am aware you're not in love with Bria, but... Her friendship should be worth something to you."

Rowan said nothing. There was nothing to say that would even sound convincing.

She stepped closer, her voice becoming lighter. "Whatever it is you think you'll find in that tower, find it quickly. I'm giving you three months. Then you will return and marry Bria. No stories. She doesn't deserve her feelings being toyed with."

She sighs, as she's thinking of more to say. Instead she hugs him. " Don't get hurt."

She turned on her heel and walked away before he could respond, her robes catching the wind like wings.

" Bye mother." He waves to her silently.