Tove tried to remind himself that he had nothing to feel guilty about. Wendy knew he didn’t love her, and she didn’t love him. But they were both still very young, and Wendy could eventually find someone she loved who was also suitable for marrying.
If she did that, if Tove ever found she was in love with someone she could actually be with, he would gladly step aside. That was the one concession he could make.
“You should finish eating, Princess,” Aurora said.
She was speaking to Wendy, but her eyes were locked on the engagement ring on her hand. Tove had picked it out himself, and Aurora despised it. She spent most of the evening glaring at the emerald, and Tove couldn’t help but smile every time he noticed.
“I think I’m done, actually.” Wendy set her fork on her plate and leaned back in her seat.
“Good. Because the dancing should be starting soon.”
“We have to dance?” Tove balked.
“Of course,” Elora said. “It’s tradition for the betrothed to have their first dance together at the engagement party.”
“Right. Because nothing says romance like dancing in front of hundreds of strangers,” Tove muttered.
“Marriage has nothing to do with romance,” Elora said, as if Tove needed reminding.
The server came to take away their empty plates shortly after that, and then the band started playing. His mother had gotten a small twelve-piece orchestra for the party, and they were set up on the edge of the room near the head table.
With all the tables crowding the room, there wasn’t much of a dance floor. There wouldn’t be enough room for more than a few couples, but that was fine, since it would only be Tove and Wendy dancing.
When the orchestra grew louder—Tove thought it was something by Debussy—Aurora gave him a stern look. Even with all the static from the crowd, he could hear her loud and clear, demanding that he ask Wendy to dance.
Sighing, Tove pushed back his chair and stood up. Holding his hand out to her, he asked, “Shall we?”
“If we must.” Wendy put her hand in his, and as soon as she stood up, the crowd erupted in applause.
Tove led Wendy around the back of the table. When they walked behind Aurora, she hissed, “Smile. You look like you’re going to a funeral.”
By the time they reached the floor, everyone had stopped clapping, but all eyes were still on them. Tove could feel their stares burrowing into him, and it was rather distracting. He tried to keep his focus on Wendy and blot them out.
“I should’ve had more wine with dinner,” Tove said as they managed a slow, awkward waltz together.
“Sorry.” She furrowed her brow as she stared up at him. “Are you okay? You seem a little … frazzled.”
“Too many people,” he admitted and grimaced. “For our wedding day, I’m going to have to spend the entire night before moving everything I can so I’m completely exhausted.”
“Does it help if you think of something else?” Wendy asked. “I mean, if we talk and keep your mind busy, does it help keep the noise down?”
“A little.”
“Okay, so…” She glanced around, as if searching for something to talk about. “What should our wedding song be?”
“You mean Aurora hasn’t already picked it?” Tove asked with a wry smile.
“No, I won’t let her,” Wendy informed him. Tove must’ve looked impressed because she laughed a little. “I know this is sort of a fake wedding, but it will be the only wedding I have. Aurora and Willa are picking everything else, but I wanted to have a say in the song.”
He saw it then. Only for a second, but her aura darkened, going nearly black for a moment, when she said this would be her only wedding.
Her expression had remained the same, though. She was getting better at lying, at pretending to be who the Trylle expected her to be. That was for the best, he supposed, but part of him was saddened that she was losing some of her innocence.
“What song did you have in mind?” Tove asked, hurrying to erase her unease.
“I don’t know, actually.” Wendy laughed again. “I’d never really put much thought into my wedding until a few days ago. But I know I don’t want something cheesy or super cliché.”
“So ‘Endless Love’ is out?” Tove teased.
“I’m afraid so.” She cocked her head at him. “What about you? Did you have any songs in mind?”
“No, I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I didn’t think I’d have any input.”
“Why don’t we pick the song together, then?” Wendy asked. “What do you like?”
“Um…” Tove tried to think of music he liked that would be appropriate for the ceremony. “I’ve always been partial to Etta James.”
“Really?” Wendy raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, really. Why do you always seem so surprised by the music I like?” Tove asked. “You and Duncan were both shocked that I liked the Beatles.”
“I don’t know. It’s weird picturing you listening to music, I guess.” She shook her head, making her dark curls dance on her shoulders. “I don’t know how to explain it.”
“I like music very much, actually,” he said. “It helps drown out the noise.”