ROYALTY

Chapter 17

"So, what exactly happened? We were all summoned to the winter garden to have breakfast with the royal family and all of a sudden one of the ladies was not in her chamber, and gossip went round that you were with the duke. What on earth were you thinking? You gave the princess a heart attack."  "She seemed perfectly fine when she came to me just this morning."  She linked her hands with mine, her pale pink day gown in contrast to the blue I wore, she was naturally beautiful. Even though she coloured her face and wore more jewels than were necessary, she was really pretty. "So, what exactly happened between the both of you? Do you think he is interested in you." I bit my lip and walked in silence with her.

I mean yes, he was handsome, and charming he had this natural way with him, but marriage? Was I really ready for marriage? Did I like him in such a way? Could I develop romantic feelings for him? The answer came immediately, yes I could, it would not be so hard to, but there was still something off about him, "I guess," I said "he might be interested in me, but we all know he cannot pick a bride before the prince. Now that would be a disrespect." She smiled, a smile that had an evil glint in her eyes. "Maybe, maybe not, but he can declare his intentions towards you. And tell the whole court he would want to court you."  Her grip on my hand tightened a little bit before she relaxed herself. "I guess so, but I have a right to deny him if he does." she looked shocked, sad even. :But he is a duke, he has connections, money and charm with good looks. He is considered as the most handsome, more than the prince! Why would you refuse him?: she had stopped us now, the group of ladies far ahead walking after the queen.

I looked at her and opened my mouth then closed it. Why would I deny him? I thought about it, he was indeed handsome, but did I want him for his looks? I opened my mouth again to answer her, but nothing came out. "I see." was all she said. "It will not be hard." She still had that evil glint in her eyes. I felt alone all of a sudden with her by my arm, gripping tightly. I opened my mouth to say something, anything—

"lady Gianna, if you do not mind, I would like to have a word with lady Naomi." She still had her expressionless face, perfected to the very last detail. Gianna let go of my hand and walked off. I felt even more alone. The princess was with her handy maid, I bet she was the one that spread all the rumours, even though they were true. Then I thought back to my life, when had I ever cared ? Probably I was just imaging things, but what if Gianna was right and he asked permission to court me? Would I accept? "You," she pointed a finger towards my direction, she was tall and beautiful, natural beauty and confidence radiating from her body. "are a pain!"

One moment I was standing under the blue sky, the next I was in the horse shed, with a grey horse practically minding its own business, the door slammed shut and it was just the princess and i. she paced the little space and that was something considering that it was not bigger than four feet. I sat down on a stack of hay and touched the grey beast. "Is she always like this?" I whispered. It sneered and continued with its eating. "I did not even do anything." It looked away and in its head said 'that is your problem I am eating woman!' Great even the beast was on her side. "I am still here I hope you know?"

I sighed and adjusted my now smelling horse dress. "I know, and I cannot help but feel like I have committed a grave sin and I should be condemned to death!" She stopped pacing and stared at me. "You are impossible and avoid the duke!" I stood my ground and uttered a single word. "no."  "No, I will not avoid him, I am not interested in the prince at all, there are twenty-four other ladies for his hand, I am not some product he can choose from!"  "Well as long as your still on this ground and he has not yet picked his choice you. Will.avoid.the.duke." she said, her fists were clenched . Her breathing hard, "Do you understand?". Silence rained, both on her side and on mine. "no" was all I said, it was not a strong no, but neither was it a light one. It was an audible one.

" I told him you were stubborn, but he never listened to me." That got me off guard. Told who? Was it the prince she was talking about? The prince that did not seem to have an interest in me.

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