I hesitate in front of the door, trying to work up the patience to actually enter. After the day I’ve had, this is the absolute last place I wanna be.

Mother knows how to crawl under my skin, and I’m not ready deal with it.

Still, given my last encounter with Percy, this is looking more and more necessary.

I raise a hand before I can change my mind, fighting off the urge to turn and run. My knuckles land before I have the chance.

“Enter,” a woman’s voice calls, in the most chilling robotic and cold deliverance I could imagine.

I pull the heavy door open, unenthusiastically stepping through the entry.

“Hello, Mother,” I say.

I should have run when I had the chance.

“Anton,” she says in her signature monotone cadence. “So nice of you to join me. I was beginning to think that you and your little Penny had eloped.”

“It’s Percy, mother,” I say, as if she didn’t already know.

She waves a hand dismissively through the air.

“Percy then. Either way.”

“Well, here I am,” I say grandly. “What is it that you need?”

“What do I need? Why, nothing, son. I simply wanted to know whether or not the wedding’s on schedule.”

I know she’s lying even before she speaks. The only reason my mother would want to talk to me now is to try once more to talk me out of this.

It’s been her sole endeavor since the moment I announced my engagement.

The fact that I’ve come here to finally fulfill her wish makes this all the most bitter pill I’ve ever had to swallow. To eat my pride and give her the satisfaction of being right about Percy, despite the fact that I still think there’s hope. But I’m running out of time.

“Actually, I have some unfortunate news about the wedding.”

“Oh?” she asks, not even bothering to try and hide her smile.

“Yes…as it turns out, there may well not be one.”

“Oh dear. Why ever not?”

I bite my tongue, willing myself to remain calm.

“I’d rather not go into it just now.”

She nods; no doubt she was expecting that answer.

“Very well,” she says as she sets her glass aside gently, standing to join me.

“Since you’re no longer planning to marry that Percy, I really feel I must say, I never thought it was a good match.”

“I believe you have said as much.”

She rolls her eyes in annoyance.

“Well, if I did, surely you see now how right I was.”

I wish I could argue with that, but I’ve been fighting this battle all day. First with Percy, then with myself. I don’t think I have the energy to lie to myself anymore.

Sadly enough, I just might have to admit it. My mother was right—Percy and I aren’t going to live happily ever after.

“Well, no need to look so glum, Anton. In fact, I have a surprise for you.”

Oh shit.

This can’t be good.

“Right this way,” she says, heading for the door.

I follow close behind, absolutely fucking dreading whatever’s about to come. I can’t even imagine what she’s got up her sleeve, but I’m absolutely positive I’m going to hate it.

She saunters to a large set of doors. If I remember right, they lead to a sitting room.

“Now don’t get upset, Anton, but I think we both knew this was going to happen.”

“Mother—”

“Don’t interrupt. I know you’re unhappy about the wedding, but given its failure, I’m sure you can appreciate that it’s really come time for you to be practical.”

“In what way?”

She actually smiles as she twists the door knob, the solid wood door swinging easily inward.

“Ladies,” she says, “may I present my son, Anton Lanteri, Crown Prince of Menage.”

I can’t fucking believe my eyes.

Just when I thought I’d seen all her tricks, she steps it up a notch.

Sitting around the room, dressed in gowns of seemingly every shade, is a fucking buffet of women.

Tall, short, thin, curvy, every type under the sun.

They stand in unison, each of them turning toward me with a grin.

My mother leans in close, drawing my eyes back to her.

“All princesses,” she says. “Each of them looking to wed someone of their station. You’ve had your fun, Anton, and look what a mess that turned into.”

She turns back toward her room without allowing me a chance to answer.

“Time to settle down,” she shoots over her shoulder.

I’m not sure whether to run after her or turn and flee in the other direction. I hesitate on the decision just a moment too long, my would-be-princesses flooding around me in a rush.

“Prince Anton,” one coos.

“Your Highness,” another chimes in.

All of them bow graciously, beginning to speak all at once. Their voices mix quickly into a jumbled chorus of polite tones.

“Very nice to meet you all,” I announce, just a bit too loud to be polite.

Their greetings die off, all of them staring questioningly up at me.

I look around at them curiously. My mother’s nothing if not thorough. It really seems that she’s covered all of her bases here.

Hell, there’s even one that looks a bit like Percy.

I’m sure that in her bitterness, good ole Mom actually thought that this would tempt me. I mean, why not? She’s provided everything a man could want.

Everything, of course, except for Percy.

“I appreciate you all coming down here today,” I say, feeling quite the opposite. “Unfortunately, I can’t provide you with whatever it is you’re looking for. I’m not sure what impression my mother gave you, but regardless of my marital status, I am not available.”

Their expressions range from disappointment to anger and everything in between.

Frankly, I’m finding it hard to care.

“I apologize for the inconvenience,” I say, turning immediately back down the hall.

I’m in no mood to play this twisted little game.

The last twenty-four hours have been complete and utter chaos. All I want right now is a stiff drink and a quiet room to think in.

Since I’m clearly not going to find that here, I head toward the door.

My mind’s reeling from my mother’s little stunt.

I swear, if anything, this experience has just strengthened my love for Percy.

The idea of trading her for one of those women…

I can’t help but laugh.

After being with Percy, I could never go back to timid women. Percy would never bow to me.

Try and make me bow to her, sure. Bow to me? No fucking way.

I push roughly through the front door, hearing it slam against the wall in my frustration.

This day just keeps getting worse.

One thing I will say, though, at least my mother has eliminated any possibility of doubt. I know with renewed certainty that Percy is the love of my life.

As I walk down the street, it’s like a weight’s been lifted. No more bullshit, no more games. I love Percy.

If she won’t have me, then I don’t want anyone else.