I stared at the piece of bread on my plate. Maybe I was staring for too long, because it was starting to take shape of my most recent thought.
Prince Lucien
I gripped my spoon as my brain recited the words we shared before I left.
-
"I'm not sure I understood you." I cleared my throat before I choked on my own spit.
"I do not get married for political purposes." He stared right into my eyes, practically baring into my soul, looking for a sign on disagreeance in my eyes. "So our marriage will be real."
"Are you telling me that we have to learn to love each other like that of an average marriage?" I choked out what he seemed to be dancing around. "That's your condition?"
His eyes shifted from my eyes to my lips for a brief second. "If that's how you perceive it, let it be so."
I stood there, shocked. 'Why would he want that?'
Maybe he thinks I will later leave him or have an affair with Alistair, not that I can blame him, given that I did a complete 360 from being so in love with Alistair that even royals from other kingdoms considered it a hot topic.
"Um," I spoke up, clearing my throat before I embarrassed myself with a voice crack. "I-I agree to your.. terms." Since this is an alliance, I need to make sure I keep him as happy as possible. If it's even possible.
His hand twisted the doorknob and pulled the door open. He was happy with my compliance. "I will send word of when I require your assistance for the wedding planning."
-
"Rowie?" My mother's voice broke me out of the trance-like state I was in. I blinked a few times, registering my surroundings. "Sweetie, what's got you so deep in thought?" She placed her fork and knife on the plate and wiped her mouth.
"Why, that would be the nerves of getting married!" My father rejoiced, and I couldn't help but chuckle at his chid like happiness, one that I could not grant him in my last life.
"Father's right, mother. I'm simply nervous, and I was just thinking about my visit to the palace." I finally stopped picking at my food and started eating it.
"I heard Alistair came by here." My father's tone deepened, and his indifference returned for a short while.
"Yes, Father." I nodded, not needing to give it as much importance as one would hope. "I've turned him away, but I have a feeling that he failed to understand what I was trying to tell him."
"Let him believe what he wants, as long communication between you and the Prince is clear, that's what matters." His smile returned when he spoke of the Prince.
"Yes.. me and.. the Prince.." I could feel myself spacing out again, as the feeling of being under his intense gaze returned to me.
"What will you wear to the royal banquet, sweetheart?" My mother's smile returned as she picked her fork back up. The sudden topic change brought me back from the clouds.
The royal banquet.
I raked through the memories of my future, of any banquet that I had been invited to.
As a matter of fact, I couldn't recall being invited to ANY banquets in my last life. Evelina made sure that I was hated by every noble throughout the kingdom. Not that I didn't disparage my own name, myself.
"I'm sure I'll find something." I flashed my mom a knowing smile and excused myself from the table.
I in fact don't think I can find something in time.
I wandered back to my room, wondering where I was going to get a dress in such short notice. It seems I needed to make a visit to the tailor's shop for some readymade dresses they had.
"M'lady!" Lulia made her way over to me, carrying a very long box that she struggled with. Her eyes gleamed and smile stretched from one ear to the other. "You've been sent a gift!"
Who could've sent me a gift? I hadn't done a very good job of making any acquaintances.
She set it on a table and squealed with joy as she exchanged glances between me and the box. Practically begging me with her eyes to open it for her to see what I got. I rolled my eyes with an inevitable smile fighting my lips, pulling the ribbon apart.
When I removed the lid on the box, a beautiful royal green dress sat inside, shimmering in all its glory, despite being in a box with no sunlight on it. It was so beautiful. I've never seen or worn anything of that nature before.
When I pulled it out of the box to see it in its entirety, Lulia let out a loud gasp, enamoured by its beauty. "There's a card!" She pointed at the box that the dress sat in. I picked up the elegant eggshell card with gold embroidery on it, reading the contents.
You will be accompanying me to the banquet this evening.
I apologize for the last minute, but given that our alliance was so sudden, I had to rush the royal tailor to make this dress for you to wear.
Lucien
I puffed up my cheeks in frustration. I didn't really want to attend this banquet. I can almost see the distaste in everyone's eyes. Noblemen and women alike.
"Lulia, can I pay you to go in my place?" I plopped down on the sofa, letting my head fall onto the cushion.
"With all due respect, M'lady, maybe it's time to take the things that people have to say about you and give it back to them with the kindness I know you have in you." As she made her point, I was shocked at how she could've read my mind, but maybe I was more predictable than I thought.
I was reluctant to go to this banquet, given that I have no prior knowledge from before I was reborn. However, Lulia was right, if I wanted to make a real difference in this life, it would start at this godforsaken banquet.
While I got ready for this event of a lifetime, I could feel the anxiety twisting in my stomach. The thought of being in the same room as all the people that once cheered for my demise are going to honouring me with their fake smiles and invasive questions. But I have to do this to embarrass Alistair who has most likely telling people that I was begging him to marry me.
The excruciating amount of time it took to get me ready was one of the many things I dreaded about this night, but I'm sure that what was in store for me later would be even more excruciating.
"M'lady, the Prince's carriage has arrived." My heart was beating against my chest, I got the jitters from having to see him since that awkward conversation. I let out a deep breath and clutched my handbag.
As I reached the top of the staircase, I could see Lucien in his shining valour, his overcoat was prestigious, more than that of Alistair's. The black velvet fabric bordered with gold threading and tassels really complimented against his silky black hair that was tied together and draped over his left shoulder. The light bronzing of his complexion made the gold glisten against his skin.
He turned on his feet to look up to where I stood, and if I didn't know any better, I would've thought he was in awe. His lips parted slightly as his eyes, which held a gentle touch, stayed fixated on me, it was an unmistakable look.
As I nervously made my way down the stairs, I gripped my dress firmly to push down the feeling of being stared at. The second my foot hit the bottom of the stairs I cleared my throat, snapping him out of his trance. "Thank you for the dress, I hope I wore it well." I glanced up at him for a second before looking down at my shoes.
"Better." He mumbled out as he turned away, probably hoping I didn't hear it. "Shall we?" He stopped ahead and held his arm out for me to grab.
As I stepped into the carriage I was baffled at the size and luxury of it. I'd never ridden in something like this before. As if he'd noticed my astonishment, Lucien closed the door and unveiled the ceiling cover that welcomed the most beautiful touches of sun into the carriage. An audible gasp left my chest but I regained my composure immediately.
"If you like it, this carriage can be yours." The prince spoke up, as if trying to say that he didn't want it, but I could tell that he wanted me to have it. "I shall leave 2 attendants and horses for you to ride this carriage wherever you please for as long as you remain at home."
"I don't necessarily require it, your highness, but I will not decline if that's what you wish." I looked over at him through the sides of my eyes.
"Only because your carriage is not fit for the future princess." He leaned back in his seat, not looking my way.
The man looked like he would have a heart attack if I so much as breathed on him, but I didn't pay him any mind, since I didn't think his kindness would go as far as allowing me to tease him.
'BAM!!' The wheel of the carriage suddenly went over something hard, and the impact tossed me out of my seat with my arms up, towards the other side of the carriage.
Worse. Towards Lucien himself.
There was no way I could escape this. Nothing could stop me from falling into this man's hands and making a fool of myself.
What I didn't expect was to have landed right in his lap, my hand over his chest.
I was sure this was treasonous.
My body stiffened as I felt his arms which were around me, most likely his first instinct of a large item flying towards him. Seeing them so up close, his hazel eyes that had a splash of red in them were peering into mine.
I began squirming to get off, "Y-Your highness, I deeply apol-"
"Hey." He bellowed with fury, to which I froze again. His eyes were still fixated on mine, but his grip tightened on my waist. If he wanted me off of him that bad, why is he gripping me?
"Watch the carriage." He firmly spoke, to which both the attendants apologized frantically. "I apologize for their recklessness." He sighed and closed his eyes for a second. Although, his eyes scanned what position I was in and where I was. "You're welcome to return to your seat when you've caught your breath."
I almost laughed out loud. "I would but I'm not so sure you want me to." I smiled behind my hand as he quickly released his grip on me and pulled his hands back.
"Pardon me." He fixed his coat and pants when I got up off of him.
The rest of the ride was silent as we both kept to our sides of the carriage and our own windows.
The carriage then rolled to a stop after what felt like forever.
Lucien stepped towards the door before glancing over his shoulder at me.
"Stay close."
A frown played on my brows upon hearing his words. What does he mean? Does he know something I don't?
"Is that an order?"
His gaze lingered on me for a moment, drawing me back to the realization of the audacity I had to ask the Prince such a question. Strangely enough, it drew a scoff from his lips.
"No," he reached for the handle of the carriage door. "But the moment we step through those doors…"
His empty eyes met mine.
"…they'll see you the way they see me."