Outcasts and Royals

Chapter 21

"Cousin Kate, how was your first ball?" Madeline asked Katherine as they made their way back to Katherine's chambers.

"It was wonderful. I would like to say again that I'm sorry for being partially responsible for the end of your relationship with Nathaniel," Katherine replied, thinking of how many people at the ball had talked about the disastrous, uncompleted wedding.

"And I'll remind you that you don't have to apologize for that. In fact, I'm relieved that you and your friends helped me realize how big of a mistake it would have been for me to marry him. I do believe I need a long break from men, though," Madeline said as they entered the chambers.

"Wait, Kate, weren't you wearing a necklace earlier?" Madeline pointed out.

A few weeks went by.

"Good morning, Erik. What would you like to do today?" Damien greeted one morning while Sylvia played with Spot back at their new home in the village.

"I'm not sure yet," Erik answered while admiring a golden necklace with an emerald gem.

"Where did you get that?" Damien asked.

"I took some advice from you the night of the ball," Erik answered.

"So you do like her," Damien realized.

"It doesn't matter. She's a princess; she has many like it and probably would rather hang around princes and other royals than someone like me," Erik replied.

"Ah, I was wondering where that went," someone said.

Erik looked behind him to see that Katherine had come to see them, which made him smile.