worthy.

seven.

CHAPTER      VII.
princess lessons.

IT WAS SHOCKING to say the least. His words blunt and straight to the point. Your thoughts and body stood stock-still as your mind processed the words directed at you. Such a complex idea, put into much too simple words. The idea was...ridiculous. The words sealed in your mind's voice, the words rather harsh but true nonetheless.

The proposal being an absurdly risky gamble that could potentially end in your demise. If you were to carry out this plan, the margin of error being little-to-none. With your lack of knowledge about regal mannerisms and customs, you would most definitely be the downfall of such the scheme.

"—to start, I will begin by escorting you to the ball tomorrow evening." You blink rapidly as his words began to process again. This is mind-boggling, completely gobsmacking! There was absolutely no way this could possible work! Why would I agree to a death sentence or life in chains?!

"Excuse me, Your Highness. But, if I may how exactly do you plan to make this...work?" Choosing your words carefully, you question this extreme idea of his. You couldn't just let him gamble your life away. Especially with the possibility of a family waiting beyond the castle grounds! He hums at the question, tapping his finger against the armrest of the chair.

"You needn't worry about the details. I will settle everything within the day. All you have to do is..." He stands from the chair, stepping towards you. Crouching in front of your fallen figure, kneeling before you as he stares you directly in the eye.

"To behave." A stern and serious tone in his voice as he voices the question. Peering into your (E/C) hues intensely. Looking for a a hint of deception. Your mind plagued with anxiety and nervousness from the close proximity and odd statement.

"I don't quite know what you mean by that, your highness..." The temptation to look away from his bronze hues was overpowering but, you managed hold the tense eye contact. You feel a breath of hot air against your face as the noble chuckles. Not moving an inch away from you.

"Would you like to find out...?" He finally backs away with those final words. You suddenly didn't want to know the answer to your question. The answer, most definitely, not something you want to hear. Already having one threat from the man today.

"All I need you to do, is to cage that little curiosity of yours and play the role of a noble-born. Do that, and you might just make it through the night." Seemed simple enough, you couldn't exactly deny the noble. He could do far worse things to you than having to play his little wife. The prince steps behind you, towards the discarded box on the floor. The item inside shaking from the movement and knocking against the aged wood.

"The maid will help find something suitable for you to wear. And someone will help teach you simple etiquette." The door shuts. As you are, once again, left alone in the quiet room. Your thoughts filled with a rising irritation towards the entitled man. Had he expected you to listen and obey? Like a little pet, he could train to fetch his slippers.

As helpless as you might be, you wouldn't take such disrespect even from the crown prince. Nevertheless, there were more important matters. The prince's harsh and ill-manners to the middle-class could be addressed at a later date. For now, all you needed to do was to live to see the rising sun.