She had changed into something totally outside her comfort zone when the maids continued to insist that the prince had chosen her outfit himself. The corset gown stuck to her waist as she struggled to breathe, on her head was a tiara adorned with several ornate jewelry that made it difficult to move her head freely.
Who would have thought that something, so small could bring a lot of discomfort? Her lips were painted a bright shade of red, her eyes lined and caked in heavy makeup, she wondered what the occasion was until Lucien himself appeared from within the hallway with the elite knight he had with him the day of her welcoming.
For the first time, she really saw him as the regal prince of Narva with the massive spiked gold crown that bared its weight down on his head. His golden regal attire had a cape strapped to it, that flowed freely behind him.
He flashed her a beaming smile filled with radiance and a hint of discomfort. She stifled a laugh, realizing that she wasn't the only one being uncomfortable in what she had to wear.
She curtsiesd when he neared, "My prince,"
"Bron. You look breathtaking."
Indeed. The dress was breath-taking. She merely managed to nod before straightening herself up, the elite knight bowing as he greeted her.
"Princess,"
"Rise, please."
When he did, Lucien moved closer to her, taking her arms as he linked them with his, acknowledging the presence of her maids that stood transfixed behind her. Then he nudged her forward, and they began their journey to the other palace, as she had termed it.
Silence hung endlessly in the air as they trailed a path through the various guards that continued to bow while her maids and the elites followed behind quietly. Then the prince leaned down to whisper into her ear,
"Feeling a little bit nervous?" he inquired with a chuckle.
She fidgeted, biting her bottom lip from anxiety, something she always did when she felt on edge. The prince could see through her uneasiness, there was no way the other royals wouldn't see how nervous she was.
"You can see that?"
"You kept biting that pretty lip of yours. You're going to get it chapped before we get to the others."
He laughed. His timbre voice echoed through the hallway, she scoffed, watching the amusement floating in his irises. Somehow, she could tell that he did indeed, enjoy taunting her for whatever reason it was.
"Not funny!" she whined like a child while he continued to laugh beside her, enjoying her tantrums and the fact that he got to her.
"Easy, little bird. It's just my family, no one else."
This time, she stopped in her tracks, the sound of her kitten heels clinking against the marbled floor when she did.
"Really?"
He nodded in assurance, "Yes, Bronwyn. It is just going to be the emperor and Empress, my brother and sister, then you and I. Nothing to be nervous about, alright?"
He pressed a subtle kiss to my temples, "Come on now, we can't keep them waiting."
With that, he held my hand and we continued on. After what felt like a few more minutes, we stopped right in front of a giant oakwood door. She swallowed hard when they stepped into the massive dining hall.
In the room was a walk-in sized fireplace that crackled merrily. A large feast was laid out on the platter in front of them. She quickly curtsiesd when they turned to face them. The dining room was lit by three impressively grand chandeliers that had the same otherworldly flower snaking their way around them. Fine crystals and polished metals glinted under the flickering candlelight.
"Your Majesties!"
The emperor turned his narrowed gaze to her, forcing out a frigid smile, "Bronwyn, pleased to make your acquaintance. I apologize for failing to properly welcome you home as a part of the family. I do hope you find a place in your heart to forgive me."
She fidgeted, forcing out a hasty response, "No, your majesty! I understand. I should thank you for having me in your humble home."
Eldritch rose from her seat with a broad smile on her face, she hurried towards Bronwyn, wrapping her in a warm embrace.
"Child, I trust your maids are treating you well?"
"They are, mother." she giggled, enjoying the warmth that her embrace provided.
Startled, she jolted on her feet when a voice squealed from the other end of the room. A woman who seemed to be her age ran towards her with a smile on, she looked more like the younger version of the empress herself, her cerulean dress dragged freely across the ground, cascading on waves around her.
"Bronwyn of Elrandal?!"
Detaching herself from Eldritch's embrace, her face held a puzzled look, but her eyes widened when realization dawned on her.
"Princess Elana?!"
She nodded, grabbing her arms when she pulled her in for a tight hug. Bronwyn breathed in the lovely scent that wafted into her nostrils from her hair.
"You're even more beautiful than Lucien had described. Come! Let's eat."
She nodded, noticing Lucien was already seated close to a male she hadn't seen seated. He had a scowl etched on his pretty face, he sat with his back hunched. The bulky male wore a fur coat made from bear hide, but what marveled her was his captivating eyes, embers with swirls of gold in them, glowing luminescent.
When his gaze snapped at hers suddenly, she muttered a gasp, his steely gaze pinning her to the spot. She could feel tingles spread through her skin when a strange aura enveloped her being and his lips curled back in a smirk. She could swear she saw the glinting edges of fangs peeking through. She could also notice the pointy tips of his ears sporting hoops of silver earrings. By gods! The man who had her locked in a heated gaze seemed nothing like a human.
Was he? Or was this an illusion?
"So, you're the chosen one, huh?"
Taken aback by his words, she swallowed hard, mouthing a "Huh?"
His smirk merely deepened, "Such a pretty little thing."