Make Me Yours

Chapter 2

A French! A French!

There had been rumors among the people of Velvet Crown about an incident three years ago in which the princess was said to have been 'touched'. Hints the name Tainted Princess. It was said that because of that incident, the princess had had a hard time finding a suitor to marry. For Dominick Cullen, who had came to work for the princess a year after the incident, he didn't believe the rumors no more than he believed a talking starmouse.

The princess starts to slowly go into a mini rant about the makeup she wore as she made her way to her walk-in closet.

Why does she wears makeup if she can't stand the stuff messing up? It's really a regret...She looks beautiful without the stuff. As she requested, he summoned a female maid to aid Iyana in her dressing.

Thinking of his next set of duties, Dominick almost missed the princess words of kindness.

"Umm, Dominick...thank you for your help."

Straightened himself, as he had bow mid waist to her as usual when he was about to leave her presence, he looked at Princess Iyana as if seeing her in a new light. Amused wasn't the word to describe the servant in this moment. No, but he was, in fact, mesmerized by just hearing her speak with such kindness.

As he left, Dominick made his way downstairs. Walking into the dining room, he saw the King and Queen of Velvet Crown.

"Good morning, Your Highest." He greeted and lifted up their empty plates in his hands.

The king, an man of great salute and knowledge, turned his head to the servant. Raising his right hand, he stroke his long beard. The king was known as King Wilbert. He was tall, strong, and health for his age. When he spoke, his voice could be heard down several corridors despite the fact that he was in a closed off room. When he got excited, which he normally did, he spoke very loud, such as now.

"Ah, Dominick, so good of you to grace our presence this fine morning. Tell me, how is my daughter? Is she ready to meet Nobleman Francis?"

The queen, a small thing she was, reminded the king of the usage of his inside voice. "Your inside voice, daring," she said in a gentle voice, placing a hand over his.

Dominick smiled and headed toward the kitchen. Stopping at the door, he answers the king in a light tone. "Princess Iyana is indifferent to meeting the nobleman today, Sire."

The king made an 'ah' sound. He knew his daughter's feelings toward the dates he had set her up with. As soon as Dominick walked into the kitchen with the dishes, he was summoned back to Iyana's room. Sighing, he nodded and instructed another to the dishes while he made his way back to the princess's room.

Walking inside, he closed the door quietly. "Princess?"

Upon seeing her appearance, his eyes shined. Snapping out of his trance, he fold his hands behind his back. "My Princess, would you like to meet with Nobleman Francis outside under the Great Tree?"

"Father picked that place no doubt." A roll of her eyes showed her annoyance. "I rather not meet with him at all." She sighed and stepped closer to Dominick. "I will meet with him only if you come with me."

In her eyes, he saw her quiet wish for him to come with her. "Yes, my princess. I will escort you."

"Is he french? If he's french, I think I may tolerate him." The princess sung.

No, you are not into France men. You're not interested in marriage, I believe. Dominick watched the princess intently. "I believe he is, Princess." Dominick replied to her question. As she paced a little, he listened to her rambling over meeting the nobleman.

Having to live among the royals of this kingdom, Dominick had came to learn a great deal about the wishes and goals of the family. He has learned that the Queen had wanted her daughter to marry at the youngest age possible to ensure that her daughter does marry, while the King wanted Iyana to marry someone from another royal blood line, preferably someone from his allies or a well known noble, in which case the Nobleman Francis. Iyana, he could guess from the warmth look in her eyes whenever she spoke of her mother, was only going along with this meeting for the sake of her mother's wishes.

How I wish to one day take you away. He told himself as he watched the princess come to a stop in front of him.

"Will you stay with me, Dominick?" She was wearing her unique smile-one that Dominick was aware that she only showed to him.

He nodded his head. "Yes, I will be at your side. Just remember to be nice." He warned her, knowing full well that if this man made Iyana mad then things surely wasn't going to go well.

As he walked behind the princess, he watched with bored eyes as she made an attempt to smile politely at every maid or servant she passed.

She is obviously not enjoying this. This really is a fitting punishment for her. The Queen couldn't have came up with anything worst.

Dominick didn't dare voice that opinion knowing full well that he would received her rage for a statement like that, even if it had been the truth.

As they reached the opening to outside, a nearby guard opens the door for them both. It had not taken them long to reach the Great Tree. Dominick frowned slightly upon seeing the nobleman leaning against the tree. How nice, I hate him already. Dominick's eyes ran over the nobleman sizing him up. He stopped a few inches from the tree to allow Iyana her private time with Francis, but he was within earshot.

Nobleman Francis was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. Wearing the standard outfit that marked him as one of the well respected nobleman, he was confident in everything he did. His blue eyes took in Iyana's appearance as if she was a piece of artwork. As she approached and greeted him, he walked closer to her and lowered his head in greeting. His eyes never leaving hers. "A honor to meet you too, princess. My name is Francis de Roche."