Anamaria

Chapter Two

Anamaria

I walk to the balcony to get some fresh air. I'm not a big fan of champagne but it's the tradition. I can't standing drinking too much champagne. My mother once told me that drinking a lot of champagne isn't only not good for your health but also can get you drunk. "Thy okay?" Prince Harper came a stood beside my watching the star. I fake a smile. I can't show him that he maimed my heart. I can't not show my weakness to him. "I am fine, thank you for asking, your highness."

He glance at me with a puzzle face I couldn't read. "Please, Anamaria. Call me Harper. What happened to the old Anamaria?" You ruined her, I wanted to say. I fake another happy face at him, "I am still the same Anamaria I was years ago," I lied. I'm not falling for his charm. He hurt me and I need to move on. Like the duke said, royalty has to marry royalty. It has to be that way.

The prince studied my face, "Anamaria." I glance and fake another smile, "your highness." Prince Harper brush my hair with his fingers and twist the bottom curl. He look up to me straight in the eyes, "you look beautiful." He said as he held my hand and brought it up to his face and kissed it.

"I've made a mistake," he said looking the the illuminated sky. "I was a too hyper when I have a fiancé, I wanted to know her better. I'm sorry ditching you, Anamaria. It will never happen again, if you give me a chance." He sigh as I was about to walk away. "Anamaria, I just wanted you to know that I never like Pam before. I thought I did. I was wrong, I love you Anamaria."

I glare at his highness with downhearted, how could he say that? He have the princess. They both are in love and engaged. The tower bell rung telling me it's midnight. I remembered what Garrett told me, "I'll be downhearted if you don't come." I don't want to talk to Prince Harper right now too.

The thing is, how can I get out of here. Hopefully, the servants wouldn't see me. I turn to leave, but Prince Harper grab my arm. "Your highness, I beg your pardon, but I really need to leave." The prince let go of my hand and I ran out of the balcony as he call after me.

As I was about to leave, Princess Erin, the second child of the king approach in front of me. "Anamaria, are you okay? What's the hurry?" I look at her beautiful grey eyes and then turn back to see her brother approaching us. "Anamaria, did I say something you don't like?" Prince Harper ask looking bewildered.

I sigh, "no your highness, it's not that. I have to go somewhere. I have something important to do." Princess Erin and her brother share a unconvinced look. "At midnight?" She exclaimed. "Anamaria, it's dangerous! There's thieves and robber and imagine if you go outside, they will kidnapped you and take you away. A pretty girl like you shouldn't be there." I frown at Princess Erin long speech.

I hate to disobey the princess and the prince, but I really need to go see Garrett. The princess gave me a look of disappointment. She finally move her way and let me go. "Anamaria, be safe." I curtsy to her and the prince. "Good night, your highness." I walk straight toward the back door.

There's one problem, I don't know where's the back wall of Drysdale is. I haven't been outside since my parents death. How am I supposed to know where it is. I look around searching for peasant who may know where the wall is. Of course no hope, I don't think intelligent people would be around here at night. Maybe I should go back home.

I started heading back until an arm grab mine. I was about to scream but the hand covered my mouth. It was an young man's hand. I calm myself and take a glance at the man's face. It's Garrett. I sigh in relieve. I thought it was a murder at first. I noticed that he's not wearing a rag anymore but somewhat expensive clothes. I don't want to bring that subject up.

He look at me from the top to bottom. Is there any on my gown? Is there anything, perhaps mud on my face? His lip curve into an seductive smile. "Anamaria, you're beautiful." He said making my heart jump. My stomach feel weird, am I disgusted by him?

He reach out for my hand, "come, we have to go before anyone catch us." I look at him frowning, this is risky. He lead me to the back of the kingdom's wall, just outside the gate. There's a mountain, we climb the mountain stairs up and sit down and enjoy the view. He know this place better than I thought. His shirt was half way button up. His muscle appears a bit. I never think farmer could afford a expensive shirt that princes wear. His pant look likes they costed a hundred gold.

I glance at his seductive smile as he's watching the star. He must love to look at the sky as much as I do. "Garrett, are you going to tell me why am I here?" I asked as he stretch out his arm and face me. "Well, since we're going to be friend, I would like to know you better." Friend? Since when did I said that? I gave him an annoyed glare, "I never said I'll be your friend."

He put since hand on his chest, "that's hurtful, Anamaria. You downhearted me again!" I rolled my eyes. I don't care if I downhearted him for another thousands years.

He want to be my friend? Oh, he'll definitely get to be my friend. I can't wait till he get irritated by me."Well, what do you want to know about me? My name is Anamaria, I was born in Drysdale, I have a younger sister and I inherit my father's wealth." He seem to enjoying this moment, "who's your father?" I frown, does he have to know everything? "Sir Johnathan," I said waiting for his reaction. His eyes widen, "Sir Jonathan? The husband of Lady Elizabeth?" How does he know my mom? My parents are probably famous or something. "Yes, the king right hand man. Now do you have anymore question?" He was serene, I guess no more question to answer.

Although, I want to know more about him. "Garrett, tell me about yourself." He hesitated for a moment and then spoke, "my name is Garrett. I am the oldest children of-a very poor farmer."
You don't look like a farmer's son, I wanted to say but doesn't want to start an argument.

Garrett read my face before speaking, "I-I am, I actually am a farmer's son." I nodded but look a bit disappointed. "You're not bother?" I look at him perplex, "bother about what?" He look away and spoke, "being heiress and talking to a farmer's son with low status." Friendship doesn't matter on class. "If I am bothered, I wouldn't even come here to meet you." I paused, "friendship isn't based on social wealth class. I used to have a best friend from Ravernica, but two years ago, we were forced not to see each other again." He face darken and it look like it was full of guilt. Did he do anything wrong? Or did I say something?

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked and he shook his head. "I feel like you wouldn't like me if you who I am," he said looking miserable. "Of course I like you, and I know you. You're Garrett, the farmer's son. You're the silly guy who I asked for help and the guy that flirted with girls. I don't care how our class affected our friendship. Friendship isn't about the wealth."

I finally found my way back home. Garrett asked me to meet him there again next week. I carefully opened the door hoping no one would notice me. Apparently, it's too late. "Anamaria," the voice said behind my back. I turn around to face the owner of the voice, Aunt Monica.

"Where were you," she asked with anger in her voice. I hesitated. Well, goodbye Garrett.

Anamaria