Kiss of Death

Part 3

When I come to, I'm in a cell. It's not like other cell though. There is an actual bed and private bathroom and the walls are painted a light blue. Not what I expected for someone who was probably going to be executed.

A guard standing outside notices me looking around. He leaves and comes back with three other guards. They open the door and they handcuff me and lead me out.

"Where are we going?" I look at them but none of them answer. They walk me through long halls. It's not until we reach our destination that I realize where I am.

At the end of a long room, there is a man sitting on a throne. King Nolan Aressi. He's the youngest, and most successful king to ever rule this kingdom. He's only 17 and world renowned.  

Seeing him there with his deep brown eyes staring into mine, I realize how stupid my plan was. I stand there in handcuffs cursing at myself in my head.  

"What is your name?" He continues to stare at me. I look to the ground.

"Rune" I mumble. I can't bear to look him in the eyes.

"I asked for your name not a nickname." He sounds annoyed. I bite my tongue before a cheeky response slips out. 

"My name is Runella Estelle Smith." I bite my tongue to calm my nerves. I hear footsteps but I force myself to look up when I see shoes standing in front of me. He's standing right in front of me. He smells like Applewood and sea salt.

I look into his eyes and they glitter with mischief. He looks at me and smirks. He saunters away and turns around.

"Well Runella, I'm in a predicament." He fidgets with a ring on his hand. It's a lion, the official animal of the kingdom. "I need to find a wife before my 18th birthday. Apparently there wass some rule about marriage that I overlooked but now I can't ignore it."

"That sounds like a personal problem." I almost burst out laughing but he doesn't look amused "Your majesty." I mumble and go back to staring at my shoes.

"Ms. Smith wasn't it? Is there any chance that you are related to a Keegan Smith that was taken into custody just three days ago." Smith isn't a common name in this kingdom.

"He's my brother." I'm angry.

"A little birdy told me that you were planning to free him." I look up at him and he smirks, "Obviously, it didn't work very well, cause here you are." 

I look back down at the ground, avoiding his gaze. He walks over and lifts my chin up and looks at me.

"Runella"

"Yes your highness?"

"Will you marry me?"