Keditha's Beloved

Chapter Three

"I don't understand! Why is he so nice? Papa and mother always say they're dangerous beasts." I pause. "Well, I paraphrased."

Emilie listens carefully as she helps me change out of her dress and into one of my own. "Maybe it's because he doesn't know you're the princess. He just thinks you're some servant girl."

I shake my head, unconvinced. "Papa said he once threw a knife at a servant's head."

Emilie pauses, staring me straight in the eyes. She seemed to be concentrating hard on something, then her face splits into a grin.

I give her a confused look. "What Emilie?"

"Maybe it's because you're beautiful. Maybe he likes you." She says in a gushy voice.

"What? Emilie no, he does not like me. I just a servant girl." I gasp as Emilie tightens my corset.

"Excuse me, you are the princess of Astoan. You are much more than a servant girl." She laughs.

"Not to him. But what if he does find out I'm the princess? What would he do?" I ask. What would he do? Surely he wouldn't try to take me hostage. Cyril's words come to mind. I shudder.

"Athena, what's wrong?" Emilie asks. She had gone to fixing my hair up. Dinner was in a couple of minutes. I didn't want to be late, even with that fashionably late stuff.

"Nothing, my mind just wandered to a place I didn't want to go." I sigh.

"Is he handsome?" Emilie asks after a couple of moments, her goofy grin back on her face.

"Who?"

Emilie rolls her eyes. "Who? What do you mean who? Julian, that's who." She shakes her head in disappointment.

I laugh. "Okay, I get it, you can stop saying who." I pause to think. I definitely wouldn't say Julian was ugly, and his eyes...

"Well?" Emilie asks impatiently.

"He looks nice," I say awkwardly.

"Nice? That's all you can say is he looks nice? Come on, give me more details." Emilie finishes pinning up my hair.

"I'm sorry, but it's a little awkward considering we're at war with his country and he doesn't even know my real name." I shake my head. As annoying as she could get, I'm still glad Emilie was comfortable talking to me about all this. Made us feel like real friends.

And I guess we were but sometimes people would feel uncomfortable about royalty no matter how close they were with them.

"I understand," Emilie says disappointed. "But on a brighter note, you're ready for dinner."

"Thank you, Emilie." I spin in front of my room mirror. "I look amazing as usual and it's all thanks to you."

Emilie laughs. "Please Your Highness, you flatter me."

I hug Emilie. "We'll talk about this later."

"Of course, enjoy your dinner." She says. We exchange curtsies before I head down to the dining room.

Mother and father were already seated when I entered the room. They were engaged in a deep conversation.

My father looks up, smiling when he sees me. "Athena, you look beautiful as always." He says.

Mother nods. "I agree Roland, our little girl is growing up." She squeezes his hand.

I grin, a pink blush spreading across my cheeks. "Thank you, I hope I haven't kept you waiting long." I take a seat next to my father, across from my mom.

"No, you're right on time." My mother says. She exchanges a glance with my father, nodding at me in a not so subtle way.

"What is it?" I question.

Father looks at me, clearing his throat. "Well Athena, we're going to be having some guests over in a couple of days."

"Guests? Whatever for? Who are they?" I ask.

My father clears his throat, glancing at my mother before turning back to me. "King Nicholas sent me a letter discussing a treaty and we've discussed a few terms, so Nicholas and his family will be arriving here to sign the treaty."

"That's great papa, this treaty could change the course of the war." I exchange a smile with my mother.

"There's more," Papa says. His face was expressionless as he looked at me. "I don't know how to tell you this Athena, but Nicholas and I have arranged a marriage between you and his son, Philip."

My jaw drops. "I have to marry him?" I question. I didn't want to marry a man I've never met. I'd rather marry one of the Keditha princes...well, actually I take that back.

"I understand this is shocking to you but if you did, Nicholas would be willing to lend us some of his men. This could end the war, Athena." He says.

"I guess I can understand that but..." I say. I turn towards my mother. "You're not okay with this are you?"

She sighs. "We believe this is for the best. Philip would make be a great support and leader for you and this kingdom."

"But I don't need Philip to help me run this country. I can do it perfectly on my own." I say.

My parents sigh, exchanging a look. I knew where they were coming from but I absolutely couldn't marry Philip. That's not what I wanted.

"May I be excused?" I ask.

"Don't you want to finish your supper?" My mother asks, gesturing to my plate.

"I just need to process all this." My father nods his approval and I take my leave. I needed some air

                 ____________________

I made my escape into the forest. Sighing deeply, I rest my back against a tree. I can't believe my parents were doing this.

Maybe Philip was going to be a nice man. Maybe marrying him wasn't going to be so bad.

Ugh, but didn't I want to marry for love? Not because it would help my parents and this war? As much as I wanted this war to end, I didn't want to marry some prince to bring the end closer.

I wipe at the tears that were starting to fall. I didn't want this. Maybe I can sabotage this somehow...without getting in trouble.

"Amy? Are you okay?" A familiar voice asks.

"Julian, what are you doing here and this late?" I ask, glancing at him from the corner of my eye.

"I was taking Feltar on a ride, and I saw you. Is everything okay?" He rests against the tree, next to me.

"I'd rather not talk about it now. Maybe we can just stand in silence?" I suggest.

"Of course."

We remain silent for a couple of minutes before Julian clears his throat. "I have an idea, something that should cheer you up." He whistles his horse over, grabbing Feltar's reigns and looking over at me.

"What is it?" I ask.

He reaches his hand out to me. "Just trust me." He smiles warmly at me.

I hesitate before taking it. "Okay, I trust you."