What the Heart wants It Gets

Chap 2

Nighttime had come, and it was time for the ball. Guests were coming in by the dozens.

'Nice guest list you have here, Owen.' Hetty said. Then she noticed an unfamiliar name.

'Who's Lord Eric Beale?' She asked.

'He's from the other kingdom. His parents died last year, and he's the head of the household, so to speak.' Granger replied.

'What does he look like?'

Then they heard a lot of 'oohs' and 'ahhhs' coming from the door, they turned, and saw a blonde haired skinny guy in a blue sparkly suit wearing sunglasses.

'Like that.' Granger said.

Nell heard the commotion, looked at Eric, and was completely start struck by him, choruses of love songs started racing through her head at the speed of sound, her heart started pounding so loud someone could've heard it. Then someone bumped into her and interrupted her daydreaming.

'Whoa! That, is 1 handsome guy!' She thought, excitedly.

Callen was disgruntly shaking hands and saying 'hi' to all the ladies to please his parents. All while wishing to be somewhere else.

'This is not going to work. We should just bail already and cut our losses.' Hetty said, watching from afar.

'Give it time, the party's just started.' Granger replied.

'Well how many more guests who aren't men are there on this list?!'

'Only half of the women have arrived.' Then he noticed a familiar name on the list that shouldn't have been added.

'Um honey, There's an unwanted guest here that I swear I didn't know about.'

And before he could finish

'Well well well, I'm surprised to see you're both still alive.' A grumpy voice interrupted.

'Duke Kilbride. What an unexpected surprise!' Hetty said, struggling to smile.

'Yes, I was in town, and 1 of your delivery boys gave me an invitation to this party, and I figured I'd drop by and see if you're still in love with this baffoon.' Kilbride replied.

'Yes, she still is.' Granger said.

Deeks was standing by, waiting for the opportunity to leave and check the barracks to see if his brunette soldier was around, when Eric walked over.

'Hi! Lord Eric Beale, or just Eric.' He said, introducing himself.

'Marty Deeks, Legal Council to the King and Queen of this kingdom. Nice to meet you.' Deeks replied.

'Is that them over there arguing with that old man?'

'Yup, that is her old suitor, Duke Kilbride.'

'What's their history?' Eric asked.

Deeks looked shocked by his answer. 'You don't know what their history is?! I thought everyone knew about their story!'

'I'm from a different kingdom, so no. I don't know much. Can you tell me about them?'

'Okay okay, come with me.'

Deeks led Eric to a series of paintings.

'A very long time ago, Henrietta, or Hetty as she likes to be called, was well above marrying age, but she thought she would be a princess forever because she thought no one would love someone as small as she is. Then a man came along, Owen Granger. Mostly grumpy, but he cared about her. They were best friends for 2 years, until he left to be a soldier. Then Kilbride came along and filled that void. Then the King died, and the Queen's health was failing, and the time came for Hetty to choose her husband. The eligible suitors were Owen and Kilbride, and she couldn't decide between the 1 who left for year and a half or the 1 who filled the void, so she challenged them to a jousting match, and the winner would be her husband.'

'How did it go?' Eric asked.

'It was legendary, man. It was not only jousting, but archery and sword fighting! It went on all day! It even started to rain during the sword match. And this painting here? Legend has it that when Owen was announced the winner, she rushed to him and kissed him, and a sun beam came out from the rain and shone on them. They were married soon after.' Deeks finished.

'Why so many events though?' Eric asked.

'An old legend has it that she didn't want Kilbride to win, so she chose all those activities, and the one who won the most would be her husband. And she knew Owen was fluent in jousting and sword fighting, and Kilbride in archery.'

'So, if she knew in advance who she wanted to be with, then why put them through all of that?' Eric asked again.

'Dude, she's a woman who wanted to know who was worthy enough to be her king, now stop asking those questions!'

Sydney noticed her sister was panting when she returned downstairs to get drinks.

'What's up?' She asked.

'You're never going to believe this, but I just saw the most handsome guy!' Nell exclaimed.

'Whoa! What's he like?'

'Tall, skinny, blonde, and wearing a sparkly suit.'

'Sounds like a great guy!' Sydney responded.

'I haven't talked to him yet.'

'What are you waiting for?! Go back up there and try to bump into him!'

'I'll try.' Nell replied.

Callen was getting bored and was considering bailing after the umpteenth woman walked up to him and he was wasn't interested in her.

'How many women has that been?' Hetty asked.

'Almost all of them. I think you might be right this time.' Granger replied.

'Aren't I always?'

Just then, a beautiful blonde woman wearing a pink gown walked in. Callen took 1 look at her, and was awe struck. He walked right up to her, and asked:

'Hi! What's your name?'

'Anna. Well, it's Princess Anna, but just Anna is fine.' The princess replied.

'Well, um. Very nice to meet you, Anna! Are you from around here?'

'No, I'm from another kingdom not far from here. I got an invitation today, and I decided to come by. You must be Prince Callen.'

'Yes I am. Well, you can just call me Callen.' Callen replied.

'Would you like to dance?'

'I'd love to!'

Then a waltz started playing. Everyone turned to see who Callen was dancing with.

'Do my eyes deceive me, or is our son dancing with someone?!' Hetty asked.

'It sure looks like it!' Granger replied, happy.

'Well, maybe your idea wasn't so bad at all. We shall see.'