Chapter 5: Chapter 5 - The Declaration

"I like her, Mother," said Prince Theodoric after he had finished dancing with some of the women he had chosen.

Now, he let everyone enjoy the event while a decision would be made.

"Who do you like, my son?" asked Queen Amelissa.

Prince Theodoric's eyes stared at Princess Ivy who was talking to her father, King Idriz.

"Princess Ivy. She's from Kensington Palace," he answered.

Queen Amelissa stared at Princess Ivy. Her face wrinkled when she realized who she was talking to.

"She's with King Idriz?" she wondered.

"She's his daughter, Mother. I thought you knew that?"

"I just found out about this, Theodoric. As far as I know, King Idriz only has one daughter and that is Princess Lily," Queen Amelissa explained.

Prince Theodoric looked at his mother in astonishment. Then the stares turned to stoic as his father, King Thomas, came closer.

"She's not from among us, Theodoric! She's the daughter of a low-class woman!" said King Thomas.

Prince Theodoric's one eyebrow rose when he heard his father's words. "Father, didn't I tell you, I don't care about the background of the woman I choose?"

"Theodoric!"

"My husband ... please, no fighting at this celebration," Queen Amelissa pleaded.

Prince Theodoric snorted in annoyance. He will not do what his father says. Because in the future, it will be him who will live it, not his father.

King Thomas left in silent fury. While his wife chased after she rubbed his son's shoulder.

"It's set, Zehron," said Prince Theodoric.

"And who is your choice, Your Majesty?"

"Princess Ivy of Kensington Palace. In a moment, I'll announce it," Prince Theodoric insisted.

Zehron bowed and shifted to wait for His Majesty to make the announcement.

Prince Theodoric never took his eyes off Princess Ivy. Even occasionally she also looked at the Prince with shame. They smiled at each other like two people who had just fallen in love.

"Ladies and gentleman," the Prince began to say. The guests then looked at him and the atmosphere became silent.

"I, as the Prince who adds special events, have already decided who will be my future wife," he said as he inhaled and exhaled.

The guests looked at each other with beaming faces. Even some of the women who had danced with the Prince felt confident that they would be chosen.

"Before I announce it, I don't want there to be any confusion over my decision. The marriage with her will be done after today. I have prepared everything. And my future wife and family will accept it is done. So, I also will not accept rejection," he said.

The prince then looked at Princess Ivy. His eyes looked as if he wanted to kiss his future wife. Her beauty and grace made him addicted.

"She's a Princess who fascinated me from the first time I met her. My time was wasted thinking about her. My heart was pounding for her and my eyes couldn't take my eyes off of her," said the Prince, still staring at Princess Ivy.

"She is Princess Ivy of Kensington Palace. Come here, Princess. Congratulations, you have been chosen to be my future wife who took my whole time for you."

***

The guests whispered with scornful eyes fixed on Princess Ivy. She heard it and of course, she was also surprised that Prince Theodoric chose her.

Miraculously, what Melanie said about something about the magic she added to her dress, caught Prince Theodoric's attention.

Princess Ivy glared at King Idriz. There was pride and joy on the King's face when his daughter was chosen by the Prince.

"Did you pray to God about your Christmas present, my daughter?" asked King Idriz.

"Father ... it seems that my prayers have indeed been answered. But, do I deserve to be there with the Prince?"

"Come to him. Don't pay attention to the cynical stares of the guests. Because your mother is here," said King Idriz, glancing at Melanie who was standing the farthest.

Princess Ivy looked at Melanie and she smiled with a feeling of surprise that her mother had come to this Palace.

"H-how come Mother is here?" asked the Princess in a whisper.

"Just come to the Prince. Your Mother will control the situation with her magic," ordered King Idriz.

Princess Ivy nodded and with both hands lifted her wide dress slightly so she could walk towards the Prince.

She smiled with red lips. Her face looked smooth and completely flawless.

"Isn't her mother from the lower class?" whispered one of the guests.

"You are right! How can she be the Prince's choice?!"

"She doesn't deserve it!"

Princess Ivy then stopped right in front of the guest who was talking about her. She looked at the guest with a sharp gaze but still smiled.

"Don't you guys deserve to talk about a princess like that?" quipped Princess Ivy.

As if some magic was working in the room, suddenly the guest who was talking about her even bowed respectfully, and Princess Ivy smiled happily. She knew that her mother was in control of all of this.

When she arrived in front of the Prince, she placed her hand on Prince Theodoric's open palm. He kissed the hand and looked at the Princess without letting go. She looks malice with her red cheeks which are getting redder from being looked at in a very intense way by the Prince.

"Princess Ivy ... I hereby declare that you will be my wife. Tomorrow, our holy wedding will be held. I will not ask whether you will or not, because I do not accept refusal," announced Prince Theodoric. She, Princess Ivy, bowed gracefully with a smile. "Your Majesty, I will not refuse you. I am willing to be the wife and mother of our children someday."

All the guests applaud. Most of them were surprised because they felt they didn't want to applaud. But the thing is, they do it instead.

The cynical gaze could be seen by the Princess. The other Princesses did not accept that the Prince chose her. Especially when Princess Ivy saw how angry Princess Lily's face was when she found out the Prince's choice.