Keditha's Beloved

Chapter Nine

"Here's her husband, he likes cookies." Amy giggles as she shows me her dolls.

"He's seems very handsome and kind, I'm sure she's very lucky." I say, holding the wife doll. Amy didn't bother giving any of them names. So I'm stuck calling them wife or husband, daughter or son.

"I glad you're here Athena." Amy says cheerfully. "I missed playing with you, even momma noticed my sadness."

My heart just about broke into two. "I missed playing with you too Amy, I'm sorry I've been so busy." I give her a tight hug.

"You're getting married." Amy states as if I didn't already know.

"Yes I am." I smile.

"Is he nice?"

"He's a little rough around the edges. But he's very handsome, almost as much as the husband." I pick up the doll and pretend to walk it across the floor.

Amy giggles more. "That's handsome."

"Amy, come here." Her mother, Isla yells from the kitchen.

Amy frowns. "I have to go Athena. Can we play later." She asks while giving me a hug.

"Of course, come get me whenever you're finished, maybe I could convince Emilie to join us."

"Okay!" Amy says, her cheerfulness back. She races into the kitchen, leaving me alone in the hall.

I frown once she was out of sight. Carefully I pick up her toys, placing them into the basket they came in. I really hoping to spend some time with Amy. She was the only person I knew that didn't have drama. Probably because she's a child.

My engagement ball is in a couple days, I wasn't sure when Julian was going to arrive but I sure wasn't happy about it. There is no possible way I could avoid him.

Placing the basket out of the way so no one trips over it, I set out to find my mother. It was late afternoon so she'd probably be in her room, reading. My mother always ran by a strict schedule. She tried to establish that habit into my life, but it didn't go over well.

I quietly walk into my mother's room and sure enough, she was sitting in chair, reading a book.

"Athena, do you need something?" My mother asks without looking up.

"Mother, may I be honest with you?" I ask her, taking a seat on her bed. "About the upcoming ball."

"Is something wrong with it?" Mother looks up from her book finally, giving me a concerned look.

"I'm a little nervous about it. There's going to be a lot of...people, that I may or may not know." I say, muttering the last part.

My mother laughs lightly. "Honey, meeting people is apart of life, especially since you're a princess. You'll constantly be meeting new people."

I  nod slowly, frowning. I didn't really mind meeting new people, there was just one person I particular about seeing. "And the Kleinhaus'?" I question.

Mother sighs, studying the book cover. "Your father decided to invite them in an attempt to clear the bad blood, but we didn't actually think they'd accept the invitation." She shakes her head, a small smile on her face. "Perhaps this is a good sign. That they also want to put everything behind us."

"But weren't they discussing a treaty? Why start a war when you're going to sign it anyway and end the war three months later?" I fidget with my hands  in my lap.

"There is a reason the war started in the first place." My mother says. She glances away uncomfortable.

"Why did it start?" I ask. "You and papa never told me."

"Athena..." My mother visibly swallows. "Let's discuss something else, okay?"

"No mother, it's fine. I need to go solve some problems Mr. Fenway gave me." I force a smile.

"That's great darling, I'm glad you're finally taking your lessons seriously. I'll see you at dinner."

I nod, curtsying before exiting the room. I wonder why mother wouldn't tell me what happened. Was it that terrible?

"Athena wait, can I talk with you?" Philip runs up, falling into step with me. Ever since we talked Philip apparently has been trying to redeem himself. He tried blaming it on his father, for the way he also treats women but I didn't want to hear his excuses.

"Do you need something Philip?" I ask him.

He shrugs. "Not really, I have nothing to do and thought I'd keep you company. If you don't mind."

"Philip, what do you think about the engagement ball?" I ask him, my voice quiet.

"I think it's a lovely idea." Philip says without clarifying why. Philip glances nervously at me, then looks away.

"I'm not sure. I mean royal family of Keditha being there? I guess I'm just nervous." I sigh deeply.

"Well, I'm sure that will pass once everything starts, you'll be having too much fun to worry about being nervous." Philip says.

"Maybe you're right." I tell him as we continue walking down the hall.

"I'm trying Athena. I'm really trying to regain your trust." He says, pausing slightly in hall but then continues walking.

"I've noticed."

"I should've respected you and your space. I've regretted what I did in that garden ever since I did it." He smiles slightly. "I guess I'm not good with rejection."

I stop, turning to look at him. "I didn't reject you Philip. I just needed to think about it. I've never been in love before or at least had a man pursuing me. I was a little shocked and confused."

Philip only frowns deeper. "I know, and I only pushed you away by being a jerk."

"You're not a jerk. Right now and before you kissed me, I actually found you kind and a great distraction. But when you're trying to being romantic, you can rude and unnerving." I say, trying to be as honest as I could. I still didn't trust him fully, so I hoped he wouldn't take it the wrong way.

Philip only laughs. "I'm not sure that exactly good since we are getting married." He grins, shaking his head.

I smile back at him. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there." I tell him.

Philip lets out a sigh of relief. "So Your Highness, where are you taking me on this fine day?" He asks.

I laugh. "I was thinking we'd walk over to the library, perhaps we should pass the kitchen on the way. Isla is making biscuits right now." 

"That's sound lovely Athena." He offers me his arm. "Shall we?"

I smile, swatting his arm away. "Not yet Philip. I still don't like you." I tease.

"Ah, I thought we hit a breakthrough."

"Maybe later."

A small servant girl runs up to us, curtsying. "Your Highness, your father wanted me to tell you that King Cyril has arrived and you're needed in the throne room."