Chương 38: Chapter 38: Confessions Of A Crown Prince

(plays before Raingency)

After all the secrets I had learned, I was even more eager to attend the appointment with the prince. Prince Nicolas had been waiting for me for over half an hour. He was not amused, as they say, by my lateness and ordered another pot of tea. The current one had gone cold, a maid I didn't know took the item and curtsied goodbye. After she let the door snap shut behind her, we were both alone. "What is the reason for your lateness?" the prince broke the polite pplem. I cleared my throat and popped another slightly faded macaron into my mouth. I realised I hadn't realised how old it must be. It had its own aftertaste too, kind of dusty. "I was indisposed, I'm sorry.", I replied meekly, my face contorting after I had choked down the pastry. "I see...", Nicolas found himself across from me and slumped back into the sofa sourly. I could tell from his eyes that he didn't believe a word I said. I put my hands in my lap and whispered, "I found out about Charlotte and her children, why hadn't you ever told me about them." His eyes snapped up and then narrowed to slits, then he turned his head to the right and pretended to examine the silver service in a glass display case. "I don't want to talk about her, not even to you," he murmured. I could see his carotid artery shimmering clearly through his skin. He didn't seem to spend much time in the sun, his skin was so pure and bright that he must surely glow as soon as even a ray reached him. "You can trust me, Nicolas.", I stood up and sat on his seat, my fingers running through his hair. He didn't flinch, but didn't reply. His skin was so warm I wanted to snuggle up to him. "I don't know if it can Belle, you've lied before and it wasn't a small thing like your age or what your favourite food is. As trivial as it may seem to you, we're not ready for me to let you in on the Kantonie family yet." I let go of him and lowered my gaze. A creak followed, the door opened a crack, a white lace bonnet flashed out. I scurried back to the other sofa, my fear that a new scandal was about to unfold too great. Hopefully no one had seen me. Another maid pressed the door on the bearing wall with her buttocks and walked with heavy steps to the living room table and set down the tray with a clink. The pot of tea was very hot, I could tell by the large thread of steam rising from it. The maid was already very old, she had trouble pouring for me and the prince. I offered to help and was rudely refused. Nicolas continued to sulk. I didn't understand why, according to Martin he seemed to have a good relationship with his secret family after all. There was a gurgle. My porcelain cup was filled, the painted blue flowers turned red because of the added heat. Somehow it looked very classy. When I replied that I would please not have so much, I was punished with a nasty look. Okay, I was apparently at war with this lady.

I stirred my cup boredly and didn't dare sip my tea, my nose guessing that it was peppermint tea. "If you don't want to talk to me, why am I here?", I threw in annoyed at one point. Nicolas looked at me and blew on his tea, then took a sip. "I asked you here because I wanted to discuss something important with you. As you know we had suffered a dark period in this casting." I paused for a drink. As I did so, I remembered the letter Annabeth had left after her suicide attempt. It was still in my possession, I had promised the prince I would take it with me. Now I had forgotten it in my room. I felt guilty and asked for forgiveness again, even though it was not the same thing as before. He dismissed it as if I hadn't turned off the lights, "It's not that important, I wanted to tell you that I'm considering ending the casting after we spend two weeks at the summer residence. It's just too dangerous for me to keep the ladies here when there's a deadly intrigue creeping through the palace walls." Only now did I realise how tired and exhausted he must be. It was all quite a lot, and not just for me. "Are you going to send me home too?" my voice broke as I spoke my thoughts aloud. I bit my lower lip to hold back my hot tears. My heart beat faster and reached my ears, my breathing became more erratic. To distract myself, I played with my necklace that I had once received from Nicolas. Actually, I was still not very well spoken. However, after the letter, I understood his behaviour more. I didn't want to admit it, but the palace with its living inventory and walls gave me more support than I wanted to admit. It was rather childish behaviour on my part, I was more of a burden than a help to the royal family after all. "No, I would like you to be my wife."

It was like shattering glass to me. "What?", I stared at him, overwhelmed. "I had just imagined that. I would have liked to tell you under different circumstances, but I'm serious..., I would like to make you my bride.", his smile was shaky trying to look friendly. I swallowed and had to rise after hearing the news. Suddenly, hers felt a tremendous pressure on my chest and I paced up and down. Me the wife of a prince and later the future Queen of Little England? "I don't know what to say...", I stammered and strode to the balcony door. It was only a small stone balcony, nothing like my almost spacious terrace. I also had a wonderful view of the countryside. I held my left hand loosely to my neck. My body and countenance were reflected in the hand-cast glass of the balcony door. Four square panes, lengthwise, to two doors each with curved gold handles, were set in white lacquered wood. I could even make out small pockets of air within the glass. Nicolas appeared behind me, I felt his warmth. Our green eyes, so similar, met. It was like a lightning strike. We remained silent and continued to stare at each other through the window. "I love you Maybelle Juliette Woodstock."