|🌴| Shipwrecked Princess |🌺| A Novel |🌺| Complete |🌴|

🌴 Chapter Forty-One 🌴

The ballroom was filled with all the guests attending the wedding. The stringed musicians stood on a raised platform, their melodies floated throughout the ballroom. A long table off to the side filled with snacks of all kinds along with drinks for anyone to have.

The clinking of glasses, the chatting of voices, the occasional chuckle or giggle could be heard. It seemed the guests were having a grand time even before the royal family showed up. It was only traditional that everyone showed up before the royal families presented themselves.

Everything seemed to glisten under the chandeliers, the rainbow swirls of color from dresses and suits as couples danced on the open floor. Of course, none of the outfits would be thought to outshine the stars of the ball, but they were quite impressive. The diverse styles from different cultures seemed to merge in such a momentous environment.

The royal announcer stood at the top of the staircase that led down into the ballroom from the main hall. "Now presenting, their majesties King Raymond and Queen Kalirene." His voice carried throughout the room as all eyes fell on them. "And their highnesses Prince Chandler, Princess Samika, Princess Disha, and Princess ShaFarah."

Kalirene held her head up high, a smile displayed on her face. However, it was fake, since she was no longer joyful about this union. She now knew her son harbored feelings for Essa and not Rosalya, and yes, she knew he didn't feel that way about her, but she never imagined he'd fall for the island girl.

Raymond's eyes scanned the ballroom, a smile displayed on his face with his puffed-out chest as he noticed Essa was nowhere to be seen. "Look at all these people, all here for our son! Isn't it wonderful?" He was ecstatic, not something he normally was, because so far, his son would be getting married to Rosalya.

Kalirene kept her forced smile on her face. "Yes, wonderful . . ." She trailed off, knowing that she never wanted this for her son. "Raymond, do you ever think how different things would have turned out if Janessa hadn't passed?" She asked, glancing over at him.

Raymond's smile faltered for a brief moment at what Kalirene had said. "No. I don't think about what could have happened in the past if something didn't happen. I'm only focused on the future and I prefer Rosalya more over Janessa, simply because Rosalya is how a princess is supposed to be." He scoffed, under his breath.

Kalirene frowned a little bit, but her smile returned. "I don't think Mark nor Nori would appreciate hearing you speak of their daughter like that." She frowned. "I liked Janessa, she was different in a good way. She got along with William so well, you can't deny it, you know she would have made him very happy."

Raymond rolled his eyes as he messed up the ruffles on his shirt. "Happiness is overrated, my dear. Can we please not speak about this tonight? People are staring and wondering what we are speaking about through these smiles." He nodded his head towards everyone in the ballroom.

Kalirene inwardly huffed, biting her lip to keep her from saying another word. "Fine, I'll drop it . . . for now." She hated how he never wanted to speak about these issues. Yet again, that was just how he was. She sighed once she was on the sidelines, her eyes drifted up to her children who began to descend the stairs.

Raymond could see his brother and his family near the end of the stairs and nodded to them as he passed. "I was worried the island girl would show up." He whispered, standing beside Morgan. "I feel so much better knowing she's gone. I wish she would have left sooner, then maybe William would be more focused on Rosalya than - her." His voice held venom as he spoke about Essa.

Morgan forced a smile. He had never seen his brother so joyful before. Of course, he couldn't wait until his brother was knocked down a few bars. He sure hoped Essa would show up, and he sure hoped drama would be caused. It would make things a lot easier for his plan, if it didn't happen naturally, he would have to make it happen. "I'm sure you were." He whispered back.