The Princess

13.

ARANYANI

After my uncle's abrupt announcement, the whole room erupted in chaos. That included the members of the family that were just entering the dining hall. It was my grandfather's younger brother, Jacques, and Antoine's father, Maximillian Blanc.

Maximillian Blanc was a man of medium build and height with eyes like his sons and dark brown hair. Although the second born, he still held an overwhelming presence. Max's wife died a few years ago, and he had taken to touring the world on his yacht.

"You are getting married?" He echoes what Jacques just said.

"I am, father." He answers.

"Who is she?" Max asks with furrowed eyebrows.

"Uncle, not now, please. You can discuss this matter in private. It is time for the family right now." My Papa interrupts Jacques when he opens his mouth to answer.

"Very well, Winston." He nods and comes over to the dining table. He bows to my parents and then turns to me and bows again.

"I told you not to do that, Grandad," I grumble.

He just laughs and envelopes me into a hug. "How are you?" He murmurs.

"I am good. How are you? You look old." I bluff.

"Hey, no need to mock me, young lady. I could pass off as your father." He said while twirling his mustache.

"Sure you could, Grandad. Sure, you could." I chuckle.

He goes on to greet the rest of the room when Ma comes to stand next to me.

"You ready for today? Camille will also be joining us. I wanted your Nani and Dadi to be there too, but they will be getting here very late." She said.

"I am ready. Let us go now if you want, but I give you an hour and after that, I am going to meet Saanjh and Rannawat." I stated.

She nodded at me and went to Aunt Camille to inform her about our plans. Caius, as always was going to join us. He has been there for all my shopping trips in any shape or form and I do not think he intended to change that. Another person who always accompanies me on all these trips is William.

Let me see if he comes today or not.

"Come, Kelis. The seamstress is waiting." Ma informed me.

I nodded my head and looked for Caius whose head perked as soon as he heard 'seamstress'. He grinned at me and turned to say something to William to which he nodded. Both of them started to walk towards me. Caius offered me his arm and I took it.

"I am excited." He exclaimed.

"Of course you are. You always are." I shake my head while chuckling a little.

"There are so many options to choose from, and I admire the ethnic clothing." He shrugged.

"Have you decided what you want to wear?" I inquire.

"I will see what you are wearing, then I will get clothes in contrasting colors." He states, proud of himself for the idea.

"I thought you would want to match with me. Anyways, it is a good idea that you are not doing that, you would not have been able to match up to me." I tease.

"Hey, I can outshine you any day!" He protests.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Caius," I smirked.

Some guards opened the doors that lead to a huge room was. Ma uses this room whenever the seamstress arrives. It is painted in white with gold detailing, which was the running theme of the whole palace. There are floor-to-ceiling mirrors on one side of the room and a little platform in the middle of the room.