One
The world works in a cruel way. All the little girls in the Kingdom of Arnma wished they were princesses, all except one little girl named Louella, and she just happened to be the only princess.
Louella wasn't much of a little girl anymore, 17 years old. All she wanted to do was stay put in her room and stay in her four-poster bed, locked away from the world. When she was younger and her mom was still alive they would go on adventures together all the time, almost every day. Louella's mom died when she was 11 and ever since then she has hated most aspects of her life.
Louella's dad, Nate, was King of the kingdom Arnma. Louella, Nate, and their Housekeeper/chef lived in the castle and that was it. Three people in that giant castle. It all felt very empty.
The only person in this world that King Nate cared about was Louella, and his people of course but mostly Louella. Sure sometimes he disagreed with her choices but she doesn't always know what she wants or what's good for her. He tried to let her lead her path but god knows what mistakes she would live to regret if he just sat by and watched the trainwreck happen.
"Louella get out of bed this instant! It is 8 o'clock!" Nate shouted from outside her locked bedroom door. He tried rattling the doorknob about 12 times before he gave up. "Louella!" He shouted once more, he wasn’t the angry type but he was sick and tired of her sleeping in.
After no response, he loudly said that he gave up and began to walk away. The second his back turned her lock clicked and the door opened. She emerged from her room gracefully as if she had been up and ready for hours.
"I'm up." She said, standing in front of him. He glanced at what she was wearing, a light purple sundress that hung at her knees, it had little pink flowers all around it and lace trim. She was wearing brown dress shoes that had dark laces, and white socks that stopped right before her knee. Her hair was dark brown like her father’s, but she had a single streak of grey that she got from her late mother, she usually tucked it away but today it was visible. Her hair was wavy and hard to manage. Atop her peculiar head of hair sat a small tiara. It was small but very beautiful. It had a single gem, an amethyst, right at the center.
"You look nice today Lou." Her father said, meeting her pale blue eyes with his brown. She gave him a look that said "I know". They walked together through the corridor, down the stairs, and into the dining room. Once they got there Hannah came out of the kitchen holding a tray of breakfast foods, and lots of pastries because they were Lou's favorite.
"Lou, your gray streak is showing, "Her father said.
"I think it looks nice," Hannah said from the other side of the room with a smile.
"So do I, so it stays,'' Lou said, swatting her father's prying hands away. She had always felt ashamed of it, but today she decided it reminded her of her mother.
"It is not very Ladylike but okay, it can stay," Nate said before sitting down at the head of the table. He did love Lou and if that is what she wanted why not let her have it.
"Thank you, father," Lou said coldly before making her way to the other side of the table. She sat down and began filling her plate with pastries. Her father watched her for a second in astonishment as to how one human could consume so much sugar daily without gaining weight, he looked away and poured himself a small black coffee. Lou was used to meals where only silence was exchanged, It was normal for them. At times Lou was almost grateful for the silence. Silence meant she didn't have to share her emotions, silence meant secrets would stay kept.
"Lou today we are going to be meeting with some eligible bachelors from around the kingdom," Nate said, breaking the silence. Lou sat in silence still, not quite sure how to respond, her father had said it as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
"What for your highness?" Hannah asked when Lou didn't respond for almost two minutes.
"We must find a husband for Lou to take to the altar. I'm healthy now but who knows three years from now. Lou is almost of age and should take her spot at the throne as soon as she can claim it."Nate said to Hannah, talking as if Lou wasn't there herself.
"But what if she doesn't want to get married?" Hannah pressed
"Of course she does, every girl dreams of her wedding day," Nate said.
"But why so soon?" Hannah asked again, giving Lou a pitiful glance.
"I already said Hannah, in case my health conditions change abruptly, we must be prepared," Nate said, trying to stay calm.
"But-"
"It's fine Hannah, I'll meet the bachelors. Now if you all will excuse me I want to eat the rest of these in my room alone."Lou said. She got up and walked back up to her room where she could be alone once again.
Once Lou got to her room she shut the door and clicked the lock. She placed the plate that held the pastries down on her vanity. Once the pastries were safe she took off her shoes and her tiara and crawled right back into bed.
She didn't want to get married, not now and maybe not ever. She didn't even want to be queen. She just wanted to go to sleep and never wake up. She tried to be strong because she knew that would be what her mom wanted but it was hard to be strong when all you want to do is be weak and give up.
She started to think about her mom, and how perfect she was. She was strong but delicate and the people loved her. She could be compared to no one. She was the sun on a rainy day. Which made her dad the rain and her the rainbow. The thing about rainstorms and rainbows is that the rainbow only shows up if the sun did, and the sun hasn't shown up in 6 years, so why is the rainbow still expected to be there, and why are people disappointed when clouds remain grey.
She thought about how much she missed her mom and what she would give to be in her arms right now, she started to quietly sob into her pillow that she clutched tightly to her chest. Her mom never cried.
Hannah stood outside her door. She could hear the muffled sobs. She wanted to hug Louella tightly but couldn't. The few inches of wood that stood between them felt like a brick wall. She gently knocked on the door.
"Lou dear, I hate to make you upset but I wanted to let you know that the first bachelor should be here in about four hours just in time for an early lunch".Hannah said loud enough for Lou to hear. She only walked away when she heard Lou make a small sound of acknowledgment.
Three hours later Lou got up. She walked over to her vanity to fix her makeup and took a bite of a muffin she had on her plate from breakfast. She quickly touched up her makeup before clicking her lock and opening her door. As soon as she stepped out she could feel something weird all around her, and energy of sorts. She dismissed it and kept walking to the end of the corridor. Once she got to the top of the stairs she saw a boy who looked about her age standing with her father at the entrance of their castle. Hannah emerged from behind her.
"Thank god you are ready, Mr.Perfect over here showed up early. Well, come on now."Hannah said, nudging Lou down the first couple of steps.
"Ok I got it, thank you, Hannah," Lou said with an annoyed tone. She walked down the steps and met the two men. As soon as she got close she saw the strange boy twitch gently, "so he felt it too?" Lou thought.
"Ah, and here she is, my only and favorite child, Louella," Nate said, gesturing to his daughter.
"It's nice to meet you, Louella, I'm Conall Numrit."He said, reaching out to place a kiss on her hand. The second their skin touched a spark was sent flying through them both, small but sure.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Conall. “ Lou said, trying her best to act interested and poised.
"The pleasure is all mine," Conall said, kissing her hand. She quickly pulled it away.
"Why don't you two go take a walk around the garden and spend some time getting to know each other," Nate suggested
"Just be back inside in time for lunch," Hannah added.
"Of course, and may I say you look lovely, Louella, " Conall said, extending an arm for Lou.
"We will be back in plenty of time for lunch I'm sure," Lou said to Hannah and took the arm extended towards her. They walked out the door and into the garden. At first, they strolled in silence and took in all the pretty flowers that had recently bloomed just in time for spring. After a few minutes, Conall asked her what her favorite flower was.
"The cosmos. Um, oh, uh see those?" Lou said pointing at little purple flowers to her left."Those are cosmos."
"I see. Is purple your favorite color?" Conall asked, noticing the purple theme in her outfit.
"Yes, it is kind of anyways," Lou responded
"Why is that?" Conall asked out of curiosity
"It was my mom's favorite," Lou said, looking back down at the cosmos.
"They are very pretty," Conall said while looking straight at Lou.
Lou looked up and met his gaze. She nodded and let out a small sound of agreement before she continued walking. He walked right behind her at a slightly slower pace. After a few minutes of walking, Lou bent down and picked up a tulip. She gently yanked it from the ground. She stood back up, red tulip in hand, and walked to Conall until they were standing about a foot apart.
"Here," Lou said, holding out the tulip.
"For me?"Conall asked while he took it out of her hand.
"I thought you might want a flower and they smell nice. Everyone should receive flowers at least once in their life, in your case flower," Lou said, "and I don't know if you have ever gotten flowers before but now you have.
"It's lovely, red is my favorite color."Conall said looking down at the flower." and I have never gotten flowers before, it's an excellent experience."
"Red is your favorite color, why is that?"Lou asked with a hint of mockery in her tone.
"Red is strong and brave and powerful, all things I try to be," Conall responded as he lifted his hand to smell the flower.
"Not a bad reason," Lou said, looking at Conall finally.
"Thank you."Conall met her gaze. He stepped a little closer to her. She was frozen in place. She suddenly noticed how very tall he was, his head must have hung at least 7 or 8 inches taller than her own.
His being so close made her very uncomfortable. He looked like he might kiss her, Lou didn't know how to react since she had never been kissed before.
"Lunch is almost ready!"Hannah screamed from the entrance of the garden, interrupting a very confused Louella.
"We should go," Conall said and began walking back towards the castle. Lou was once again frozen in place. "Louella, we should head back now, I don't want to make your father upset."
"Oh right, yeah let's head back," Lou said walking finally. She didn't like being vulnerable and he had just made her very vulnerable.
"This is a nice garden, who maintains it?"Conall asked.
"Our gardener Benny, my mom used to, it was much nicer back then, she had such a green thumb, not me, I kill anything I touch, but life seemed to flourish around her, well before she… passed, "Lou said nervously. Death made her uncomfortable.
"I bet she was a lovely lad," Conall said
"She was," Lou responded. She looked up at Conall before quickly looking away.
They walked back inside and into the dining room and sat down. It took a minute to figure out where everyone sat but eventually they decided on Nate sitting at the head of the table per usual and Lou sitting at the other head also per usual and Conall sitting next to her.
Hannah sat on Lou's other side Hannah was only 6 years older than Lou, she just turned 23. She was still young but her family died when she was younger so she doesn't mind spending all her time with the Genteras. They were her family now. She wouldn't know what to do without King Nate and Louella. She couldn't help but wonder if Louella was gonna get married to Conall. He seemed nice and he was very handsome and about her age.
King Nate found himself wondering the same thing. He hoped she would marry him, he was polite, strong, and resourceful. At the same time, he wasn't good enough for his daughter, but no one was and he was pretty damn close.
Louella wondered if she had to marry Conall, or if she wanted to. Was she gonna find someone better than Mr.Perfect himself? She wanted to know if she agreed to marry this one would she have to meet with the others? She also couldn't help but think about what would have happened if Hannah hadn't called them inside for lunch. He wouldn't have actually kissed her, would he? She had never kissed anyone aside from relatives, and Hannah sometimes kissed her on the top of her head when she got upset but that hadn't happened since she was about 12.
Conall did not think about marriage, he only thought about how he could smell the food from the kitchen. He watched as Hannah got up to bring the delicious-smelling food out. She came back a few minutes later holding a tray with 4 small bowls and one big one filled with salad. She set a bowl down in front of each person then went back into the kitchen and came out with a platter of drumsticks. She dished out food for everyone then sat. They all began to eat.
"How was the walk in the garden?"Nate asked
"It was lovely, the flowers were exquisite," Conall said and looked at Louella for agreement.
"Yes, it was nice," Louella said, still lost in thought about marriage.
"I haven't been out there in ages you know, "Hannah said
"Neither have I, I should go out there tomorrow, make sure everything is up to standards," Nate added on to Hannah's comment.
"Your gardener is very good at his job, Benny, right?"Conall asked, looking at Louella once again this time for an answer.
"Yes Benny, he is talented indeed."Her father responded instead.
"Louella, what do you think of Benny?"Conall asked
"She also thinks he is talented, they are quite friendly with each other."Her father answered.
"How long have you known Benny?"Conall asked Louella, really hoping for an answer.
"They met when she was about 10 I believe, right Lou?"Hannah asked
"Um yes, I believe I was 10,''Lou responded to Hannah, finally getting back to reality.
Conall now thought he may have done something to offend Louella. Maybe she was mad about what happened or almost happened back in the garden. Maybe she was mad that nothing did happen. Women are impossible to understand.
"So Conall, what do you do for fun?"Hannah asked as she dished more salad onto her plate.
"Oh, I go horseback riding sometimes. I do keep a very busy schedule so not much room for fun but I'm happy."Conall said, taking a sip of the juice from the glass in front of him.
"That sounds fun," Hannah said
"Ever been horseback riding Louella?"Conall asked
"Once with my mother, I was horrible," Lou said while looking at her plate, not sure of things, all things.
"Maybe we could go riding together sometime, I could teach you,"Conall suggested
"I think that is a grand idea!"Nate exclaimed. He was just happy Lou didn't scare such a prominent bachelor away.
"Oh okay, maybe," Lou said. She knew she was bad at horseback riding but her mother loved it. She rode as often as she could, Lou on the other hand only tried it once and only to humor her mother. She fell off the horse and got the wind knocked out of her. She shuddered at the thought. Then she remembered how her father told her about their wedding day and how her mom came in on a white horse. She wished she could have gone to their wedding but it was before she was born so there wasn't much to be done about the lack of her attendance.
"Lou, are you okay? You seem distracted."Hannah pointed out
"Just thinking is all," Lou said
"Thinking about what?"Conall asked
"Things," Lou responded, slightly annoyed at the inquiry
"I think he wants to know what kind of things dear."Her father pointed out.
She knew that.
"Yes, what kind of things?"Conall asked, also getting slightly annoyed because she wasn't sharing her thoughts.
"The private kind of things," Lou said, growing more and more annoyed.
"Lou, do not be rude to the poor boy."Her father advised
"No, it's okay. I don't offend easily."Conall said, trying to regain composure.
"I'm so glad," Lou said sarcastically as she poked her food around with her fork.
"That doesn't mean I don't offend," Conall responded aggravatedly about her sarcastic comment. He wasn't exactly offended but she was for damn sure being rude.
"I'm sorry but I don't care," Lou said, making eye contact with a very angry Conall who sat by her side.
"I bet you care a little," Conall said, to which Lou rolled her eyes.
"Not even a little," Lou stated
"That's too bad," Conall stated back, his eyes challenging hers. He could tell everything about their relationship would be a challenge.
"Maybe for you," Lou said, challenging him right back.
"Not really ," Conall said.
"Depends on how you look at it doesn't it?"Lou asked halfheartedly.
"It's just peachy from how I'm looking at it," Conall responded in a naturally cocky way.
"Well now I'm confused because I thought you were offended," Lou said with a false sense of confusion in her voice. The two forgot that Hannah and Nate were there because they were so quiet. To be honest they didn't know what to say so they thought it would be best to stay out of it.
"I'm not not offended," Conall said.
"Which makes you offended right?"Lou asked.
"Sure fine it does, "Conall said, he attempted to make an offended face but it didn't look too great.
"God you look ravishing, I really wish I hadn't offended you or we could've gotten out of here."Lou joked
"Yes, that is your loss isn't it," Conall said as he took a long and unnecessary sip of his juice.
"Depends on how you look at it doesn't it?"Lou said mocking Conall
"Oh shut up," Conall said, but it came out harsher than he had planned.
Lou had planned on continuing with their little argument but Hannah came out of nowhere and slapped Conall right across the face. At the same time, Nate screamed, "No one talks to my daughter that way!"
"Ouch!"Conall screamed in pain as his hand flew to his face.
"Hannah!"Lou screamed and got up to help Conall before she knew what she was even doing.
Hannah scurried into the kitchen to get ice and Nate followed her to avoid the conflict. Lou was holding his face to try to stop the pain from where Hannah hit him, Lou knew from personal experience that it hurt. Once Hannah struck her for swearing, she had never done it again,n of course, neither of them had. Conall was tough but was clearly in pain, but his ego was bruised even more so.
"Sparkling Stars are you okay?!"Lou asked with genuine worry in her tone.
"I'm fine Louella, " Conall said, trying to push her hand away.
"Call me Lou like a normal person and this is your fault you inconsiderate arse," Lou said, insisting her hands onto his face, to help of course.
"I am sorry I didn't mean to be rude. I shouldn't have talked to you like that."Conall said in an attempt to make amends.
"I don't care, ha, I don't offend easily," Lou said to which Conall let out a short laugh. "Now where is Hannah with ice, I know that is where she went." Lou looked back at the kitchen.
"I really am fine she is just a girl without any weapons she couldn't have done any permanent damage," Conall said, trying to heal his wounded ego.
"You'd be surprised."Lou let out a scoff just as Hannah emerged from the kitchen holding a towel with Ice in it.
"Here, for Mr.Perfect, "Hannah said as she handed the ice to Lou.
"Thank you, Hannah. Can you please go brew us some tea?"Lou requested as she applied the ice to Conall's near-perfect face. She noticed he had a small scar on the left side of his face right near his eye.
"Mr.Perfect?"Conall asked confused
"Are you opposed to the name, because I think she has some new ideas on the matter?"Lou asked with a smirk as she held the ice to Conall's face.
"No, I like Mr.Perfect, it suits me,"Conall said and Lou let out a small laugh.
"Sure it does, ''Lou said with an eye roll and a laugh, she thought briefly about what had just happened, her father was most likely mad. Hannah was being polite when she slapped him god knows she wanted to send him to the hospital. She thought Conall was a nice guy and he didn't deserve a trip to the hospital. "You should leave Conall,'' Lou said and she cleared her throat. She had completely changed the mood within a second.
"What why?"Conall said, the smile from his face fading.
"My father seemed mad, didn't he? He doesn't like arguing or confrontation or whatever, but he's pissed, trust me" Lou said and she sounded serious for the first time all day.
"Should I apologize?" Conall asked. He looked towards the door Nate had walked in earlier.
"It would be best just to leave, he'll get over it on his own eventually," Lou said.
"I don't want to leave, it is so lonely at my house. My mother is never home and my father... well he just doesn't."Conall said whilst dodging eye contact.
"I get it, " Lou said. She was staring right at him hoping he would look at her only to be disappointed.
"You have Hannah and The king."Conall pointed out as he looked at the wall near him. Lou was still on the floor right next to him.
"Trust me they do not make this Castle a home.."Lou said
"You're right, at least I have my little sister," Conall said as he finally looked at Lou
"You have a sister?"Lou asked
"Yes, she's 14 and the best, very annoying though, "Conall stated
"Much like me, " Lou added to which Conall gave a small laugh.
"Her name is Derrie, and she is my whole world," Conall said
"That's nice, I've always wanted a little sister," Lou said with an undertone of jealousy in her voice.
"You say that until you have one, I would die for her but she is still the most irritating human I have ever met," Conall said thinking back to the time she drew a mustache on his face before an important meeting with Mr.Chessy, the man who takes care of Conall's horse.
"Glad to know I hang above at least one person," Lou said.
"You hang above many, I've met a lot of annoying people,'' Conall said mentally trying to account for them all, but alas there were far too many. In his mind Louella wasn't annoying at all, he quite liked her.
"You should get going," Lou said, breaking Conall's chain of thoughts.
"Right," Conall said as he got up from his chair. Lou got up from her spot on the floor and stood next to Conall.
Conall stepped a little closer and all Lou could think was "This again?". He slouched down a bit so they were facing each other, sparks flew once again. Lou did the best she could to prepare herself for what was about to happen. He leaned in almost to the point that they were touching but they weren't, the closer they got the stronger the energy that lay between them got. He quickly kissed her on the lips and pulled away again.
"Goodbye, Louella,'' Conall said before walking away. Lou was left frozen in place.
It made sense for him to kiss her, didn't it? This was a date, they were on a date. At the end of a date, the guy kisses the girl. It made sense, but then why did it feel so wrong, so out of place?
After a good three minutes, she moved. She walked into the kitchen to find her father sitting at the island drinking coffee and reading french poetry.
