When The Gold Is Gone ✔ ~ trixya

Chapter 8: Out Of The Blue

Beatrice felt her nerves take over as the ship came to a halt in the Resvyan port. She had begged for her father to wait longer, have their journey be after her birthday at least, but he was done waiting. It had been difficult enough to keep him from sending her to stay for the summer in the years before.

She heard the crowds cheer for her father as he stepped off the ship, also hearing people yell her name out. It was strange, she thought, how much the people loved her still after all these years. The cheers of love made a smile appear on her face and granted her the courage to step into view. The crowds roared and chanted her name louder than she had ever heard it be called.

Trixie looked out at the crowd, wondering if she would find her fiance in it. She didn't expect to, he hadn't shown up at her last welcoming to Resvya, and yet she for some reason hoped he was there. Despite knowing it was a slim chance, she hoped he was there this time, and yet another part of her wished to never lay eyes on him again.

In truth, she had dreaded seeing Alexej.
How could she not?

He hated the idea of marrying her, but he was forced to.
They both were.

There was no use in refusing, Trixie had tried that recently.
She tried to avoid traveling, but they had lifted her into the carriage when she refused to leave the palace. Their fingerprints even bruising the pale skin of her arms.

Initially she had decided not to tell her father, but eventually her nerves about the marriage had taken over and she had decided to speak to him. But it was to no avail, he wouldn't listen, only telling her that it was normal to get nerves before the wedding.

She continued to scan the crowd and then as her father moved to the side to talk to the King of Resvya, a familiar face was revealed.

There he was; Prince Alexej.

He had clearly grown, but somehow he did not appear much taller than the last time she had seen him. Trixie found herself drawn towards him, walking closer to where he stood. He was handsome, or perhaps beautiful was the more appropriate description? The feminine qualities in his face remained, some of them even appearing more prominent than Trixie remembered them.

What surprised her the most was the lack of disgust on his face though. She was used to him always showing his displeasure clearly, but there was something else in his eyes this time. Some emotion that Trixie couldn't recognize.

Was he intrigued?
Or maybe even interested?

"Your Highness." She said, curtsying before him. Alexej seemed shocked for a few moments, his eyes widening once he realized that she had spoken to him.

"Princess Beatrice, I trust you are well?" He said stiffly.

It was disappointing, she thought, having hoped for something more after his initial reaction. The dry sentence made her feel worried that his hatred remained just as strong as before, and this made anger grow within her again.

"Yes." She replied shortly, stepping away from the boy to greet his parents and speak with her father.

Alexej kept looking towards her as she spoke with them, making her feel self-conscious and increasingly nervous. His eyes showed a warmth that was unfamiliar to her, but his expression remained serious which made her uneasy.

"Beatrice, will you ride with your father?" The Queen asked.

"Yes ple-" She started, but she was soon interrupted.

"Nonsense, she will ride with her fiance of course." Her father said.

"Oh wonderful!" The Queen replied.

"Father, I do not think that is a good idea." Trixie said, preparing herself for an argument with her father, but instead another voice spoke up.

"Why not?"

Trixie turned around towards the sound and was met with the sight of Alexej's bright ocean eyes. He looked genuinely confused, and the Princess didn't understand why. He was the reason for their disagreement, the reason for Trixie staying away for years and worrying about her future life. So why was he acting like he wanted her around now?

"What kind of question is that?" Trixie whisper-yelled.

"I would gladly have the Princess ride with me." Alexej stated clearly, more to their parents then to her.

"That's settled then, we will meet you at the castle." The Resvyan King responded.

"Perfect. Beatrice, shall we?" Alexej said, holding out his arm for Trixie to take.

Trixie was speechless, completely stunned by the abrupt change in the Prince's mood. She couldn't understand him at all now, and in some ways she missed the simplicity of his previously direct disdain. Still, she took his arm, following him to his carriage.

"Why are you being nice to me?" Trixie questioned.

"Truthfully? I don't fully know."

"You don't know?"

"No, I don't know... I suppose I'm just tired of fighting against it all. We will get married either way, right?" Alexej said as they climbed into the carriage.

"Well yes... I suppose so." Trixie replied, still confused about the sudden change.

"You look beautiful by the way." He suddenly said, a rare smile grazing his lips.

"Thank you." The Princess shyly replied, a light blush appearing on her cheeks.

These new developments were highly surprising, but not unwelcome. Still, Trixie had a hard time trusting that it would last, scared to let herself believe that anything would be easier moving forward.