You're Not A Prince

Confusion

First POV

Adalie

My earlier outburst in regards to lord Samuel was unbecoming of me. I shifted my focus back to the discussion of my marriage. Even though we were in a dining room, the food remained partially untouched as the conversation continued to flow. A whole feast was laid out in front of us, the aroma wafting through the air. But the only person eating was Alvey, Lord Samuel's brother. He was eating with grace. I also wanted to taste the inviting food but the utensils on the table were not something I was used to. I mean, come on two sticks?! How do you expect me to use this?!

Although Alvey was perfectly demonstrating how to use these weird utensils but I knew that I would just further embarrass myself If I attempted to use them. After all the easiest way I know I could manage with these utensils was probably to stab the food in hopes of holding it. But that action is unbecoming of my status.

So I grumpily joined the conversation despite being hungry.

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The conversation wrapped up when sam agreed with the marriage. He answered it so calmly that I wondered if he processed it.

"Please dig in" Lord Samuel said with a much brighter smile than before. My brother refused politely saying that he urgently needed to go back to Lynia in order to inform the others. I knew he could have stayed for a couple more hours but he probably also didn't want to attempt to use the weird utensil on the table. Traitor!

Alvey and Samuel looked at me, waiting if I would join them in eating. "The feast is certainly inviting, Milord. But I must decline, I cannot eat breakfast today. Due to certain traditions" I lied smoothly. They both nodded and continued eating, so I decided to leave the dining area and head back to my chamber.

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Alvey

"I can't believe you agreed Al" my brother said in a happy tone

"You can't believe I agreed to what? " I asked as I drank the white alcohol.

"Marrying the princess" he stated simply, that I choked from my drink.

It took a few coughs for me to regain from my choking incident. Thank the heavens it was only me and my brother right now.

"Don't joke around like that Samuel" I said dryly, not amused at his attempt to fool me.

"I see, so you weren't paying attention after all. Oh well, not my fault. " he gave me the parchment paper where the contract was stamped with approval from William and Samuel.  I scanned the document in boredom yet a phrase made my eyes widen in shock and disbelief.

Alvey Al Dlamani and Adalie Winsor will be wed at the earliest of summer.

"No, not happening" I repeated like a mantra hoping to convince myself that this wasn't true. Yet the words on the parchment paper did not change.

My brother smiled in amusement at my conundrum. "Well, we can just not go through it"

"Yeah of course!" I said happily

My brother nodded at my statement, yet continued to attack me with his words, where it truly hurt

"Marriage is a big deal after all. So we should just cancel it, since you weren't paying attention when you agreed. Though this might invoke some misunderstanding from the kingdom of Lynia, which might result in war. Thus, unnecessarily killing our people. All because lady Samantha wasn't paying attention." This manipulative bastard. He was making me guilty!

His smile grew when he saw my reaction. The smile I was very familiar with. It was his smile when he is scheming something big.

What are you scheming brother?

I felt unease and worried that whatever my brother was doing may jeopardize this kingdom.

He must have noticed my expression because a hand landed on my shoulder. "Hey, it will be fine. This is for the future of our kingdom. Besides since when have I let you or our people down?" Those words left his mouth as he looked at me seriously, the playful and smug smile gone. My worries eased up from his words.

"Since you couldn't produce an heir yet" I said teasingly to his earlier statement

"Ouch, that is a low blow sis" he shook his head acting hurt by placing a hand on his chest

"So dramatic, Samy" I say playfully using the nickname my mother used to call him.

His smile turned genuine as he heard the old nickname. "Now go play with your little princess" I glared at him for his statement but still went and left.

"What has gotten you so joyful Alvey?" I turned around and saw our old servant named Felicia. I smiled at her and couldn't help my old habit of hugging her. " now, now you're a little too big and I'm a bit too old for your surprise hugs Alvey" she said gently and I let her go. She was indeed getting old. White streaks of hair could be seen in her once hazel ones. A few wrinkles could now be seen in her once youthful face. Yet she still looked as gentle as she once was.

"Nothing much" I answered her earlier question now that she was looking at me with a curious expression.

She hummed at my response not believing my answer. I touched my face and notice that my lips were tugged upwards. I see, it was because I was smiling. I wore my usual stoic expression, and I heard a sight escape from the older woman. "It is fine to be happy Alvey" she stated and left. My jaw clenched as I tried to squash the emerging emotions within me.

I continued on my way to the princess chambers and opened it without thought. Too distracted by my dark thoughts.

Those thoughts stopped as my eyes laid upon her.

I felt an ache in my chest that I haven't felt for a long time when I saw her glistening blue orbs connect with mine as tears ran down her. cheeks.

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