The Heir Read Online Free PDF Page B

garden.”
    Dad could tell I was near a breaking point, and he letme pass without a fight. I was thankful for the momentary respite.
    I lay on my stomach in my bikini on a blanket in the open stretch of grass that spread out just before the forest. I wished, as I had so many times before, that we had a pool. I was pretty good at getting my way, but Dad never budged on the pool issue. When the palace was mine, that was the first thing on the agenda.
    I sketched dresses in my book, trying to relax. As the sun warmed me, the quick scratch of my pencil blended with the sound of rustling leaves, making a lovely, tranquil song. I mourned the loss of peace in my life. Three months, I recited. Three months, and then everything goes back to normal .
    A piercing laugh polluted the stillness of the garden. “Josie,” I muttered to myself. Shading my eyes, I turned and saw her walking toward me. She was with one of her friends, an upper-class girl she’d chosen to associate with specifically because the company in the palace wasn’t enough for her.
    I closed my book, hiding my designs, and turned onto my back simply to take in the sun.
    “It will be a good experience for everyone,” I heard Josie remark to her friend. “I don’t get to interact with boys very often, so it’ll be nice to have an opportunity to talk to some. One day, when my wedding is arranged, I’d like to be able to carry on a conversation.”
    I rolled my eyes. If I thought I’d have the slightest attachment to these boys, it would have bothered me that she thought they were here for her. Then again, Josie thoughteverything existed for her. And the idea that she was so important that her marriage would need to be arranged on her behalf was comical. She could marry anyone off the street and no one would care one way or the other.
    “I hope I’ll be able to visit during the Selection,” her friend replied. “It’ll be so fun!”
    “Of course, Shannon! I’ll make sure all my friends get to come often. It’ll be valuable for you as well.”
    How kind of her to offer up my home and events as learning opportunities for her little buddies. I took a deep breath. I needed to focus on relaxing.
    “Eadlyn!” Josie cried, spotting me.
    I groaned, then raised a hand to acknowledge her, hoping the silence would convey my wish for privacy.
    “How excited are you for the Selection?” she yelled, continuing over.
    I wasn’t going to holler like a farmhand, so I said nothing. Eventually, Josie and her friend were standing above me, blocking the sun.
    “Didn’t you hear me, Eadlyn? Aren’t you excited for the Selection?”
    Josie never addressed me properly.
    “Of course.”
    “Me, too! I think it’ll be exciting to have all the company.”
    “You won’t have any company,” I reminded her. “These boys are my guests.”
    She tipped her head like I was stating the obvious. “Iknow! But it’ll still be nice to have more people around.”
    “Josie, how old are you?”
    “Fifteen,” she answered proudly.
    “I thought so. If you really want to, I’m sure you could get out and meet people of your own accord now. You’re certainly old enough.”
    She smiled. “I don’t think so. That’s not exactly appropriate.”
    I didn’t want to get into this argument again. I was the one who couldn’t pick up and leave the palace without warning. Security sweeps, proper announcements, and protocol reviews were all necessary before I could even consider it.
    Also, I constantly had to be aware of the company I kept. I couldn’t be seen with just anyone. An unflattering picture wasn’t simply taken; it was documented, stored, and resurrected whenever the newspapers needed to criticize me. I had to be relentlessly on my toes to avoid anything that could possibly tarnish my image, my family’s image, or the country at large.
    Josie was a commoner. She didn’t have any such restrictions.
    Not that it stopped her from acting like she did.
    “Well, at least you