Chapter 33: Chapter 31
...
During the next few days, the castle is full of noise and excitement. All of my time is taken up by training. I want to be the best I can so that I don't humiliate myself when the other men come. The prince calls on me a couple of times, but each time I manage to come up with some sort of excuse. I'm busy sword fighting with someone when an anxious looking servant comes up to me.
"Excuse me miss?" She asks.
I stop fighting and turn towards her, breathing heavily.
"Yes?" I respond.
"The prince requests your presence."
"Tell him-"
"He made it quite clear that you must come and see him. He demanded it."
I sigh. "Fine."
I head towards the castle and make the small journey to his room. He had been moved yesterday. When I arrive, the guards outside nod at me, and I reluctantly knock on the door.
"Come in," I hear his muffled voice call through the door.
I gently open it and it creaks closed behind me. The prince is laying in his bed. My breath catches when he looks up and smiles at me. I have to hold myself back from running up to him and hugging him.
"Your highness," I say with a bow.
He frowns at me as I straighten up.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
I shrug.
"Iris..."
I don't say anything.
He gets out of bed and walks towards me. I swallow as he stands right in front of me. He tilts my face up so that I meet his gaze.
"What happened?" He whispers.
"Nothing."
He lets out a frustrated noise and takes a step back from me. I can't help but stare as he runs his slender fingers through his hair. He catches me looking and smirks. I quickly advert my gaze to the ground.
"I know something is wrong. I will find out."
Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. The prince opens it and the guard says, "The king requests your presence in the throne room."
"It looks like you'll find out soon," I mutter without meaning for him to hear me.
"What? This has to do with my father?" The prince nods at the guard but closes the door for a moment.
"What did my father say to you?" He asks in a quiet but firm voice.
"I- he-"
"Iris..."
"He isn't going to let us be in love!" I blurt out.
Anger consumes the prince's eyes and he starts pacing.
"But he just said-"
I cut him off, "I know, but he says that you need someone who will be able to raise children, and-"
He cuts me off by pressing his lips against mine. It startles me at first, but then I lean into him, kissing him back.
"The only person I want is you," he whispers.
There's another knock at the door.
"Coming!" The prince yells out. Then he turns towards me. "Go back to your training. I'll talk to my father."
We go our own separate ways after giving each other one last hug....
The next day, I wake up confused. I know something is happening today... The ball! I get out of bed in a hurry. In the process, I bang my knee on the wardrobe. My leg gives and I crumple to the floor. Once the pain subsides, I manage to stand up. As quickly as possible, I get ready and head to breakfast.
When I walk into the dining hall, there's much commotion. Everyone is talking excitedly. This is most people's second ball ever. Zander joins me as I sit down to eat.
"Are you excited?" He asks.
I nod while shoveling food in my mouth.
He laughs and says, "I can't wait to see you in your dress. I'm sure you'll look beautiful."
I look up at him and see something flash in his eyes. It's gone so quick that I'm not sure what it was. Oh well.
After awhile, the dining hall begins to clear out. I wanted to talk to Ashton, but he wasn't here because he's probably busy getting ready.
I say goodbye to Zander and when I return to my room, the beautiful dress is laid out. Two servants are waiting to help me dress. They also put my hair into curls. This process takes forever. Once they've finished my hair, I eat from the small tray of sandwiches that was put before me for lunch. They then proceed to put it up with dainty pins that have a small cluster of gold beads on the end. On my neck they place a gold chain. My ears are adorned with small earrings that have a ruby set into them.
I turn to look at myself in the mirror. The person that stares back at me is unrecognizable. The dress folds against my body perfectly, and the jewelry compliments it.
I thank the servants profusely and they help me into my slippers. Now that I'm ready, I head out of my room to the ballroom. On my way, I bump into Zander.
I feel slightly uncomfortable as his eyes scan me up and down.
"You look gorgeous," he breathes.
I blush. "Thank you."
He holds out his arm to me and asks, "May I escort you, ma'am?"
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