GENOVIA'S LOVERS | NICHOLAS DEVEREAUX²

chapter three

[ MOVIE 2 - THE PRINCESS DIARIES: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT ]

[ CHAPTER THREE ]

I PACED ANXIOUSLY BACK AND FORTH, and I could feel Sebastiano eyeing me from where he sat next to Aunt Clarisse. Mia, on the other hand, was leaning against a pillar with a scowl on her lips. I shook my head in disbelief on what was happening to me, to Genovia, but I had to be strong for her.

"Gwyn, you shouldn't even be nice to this guy. He's probably rude, arrogant, self-centered..." Mia began to rant as she stood up straight, trying to list the bad qualities of Nicholas

"Have you met him?" Aunt Clarisse asked Mia with a raised eyebrow and from behind the now pacing Mia, both Sebastiano and I nodded our heads 

"I j...no." With Mia's confession to her grandmother, Sebastiano and I shared a look of confusion, wondering why Nicholas didn't introduce himself when they danced together at her birthday celebration 

"But he probably is, Aunt Clarisse." Sebastiano came to Mia's aide right and he stood up to stand next to our cousin, "Come on, out of nowhere, he wants to be Genovia's king?" 

"They do have a small point, Lord Devereaux has known for years that I was next in line for the throne but why does he wait until the last minute for him to try to take it under from me." I stated harshly, blowing the strands of my hair out of my face

"No matter how much he has changed, we will be charm itself. We will present ourselves with grace and poise." Aunt Clarisse demanded and we nodded our heads at her words as the Majordomo came into the room

"Announcing Viscount Mabrey and Lord Devereaux." The Majordomo announced and we quickly stood up, straightening our outfits as the doors opened

"Dowager Queen Clarisse. Your highnesses." Viscount Mabrey briskly walked into the room, giving us a nod as Nicholas walked in behind him

I stared at Nicholas with narrowed eyes as he came into my view and he stared, showing no emotion on his face. I shifted my attention back to Viscount Mabrey after he pressed a kiss against my aunts knuckles and offered him my hand next. I nodded politely at the older man as he repeated the gesture on my knuckles.

"May I introduce my nephew, Lord Nicholas Devereaux." Viscount Mabrey introduced Nicholas to us, but technically to Mia since she had never met him officially unlike us

"Lord Devereaux, always a pleasure." Sebastiano took a step forward, shaking hands with him and I noticed that he squeezed Nicholas hand tightly before releasing it

"Prince Sebastiano, the pleasure is all mine." Nicholas said through gritted teeth, shaking his hand out of his uncles eye sight 

"Dowager Queen Clarisse, thank you so much for inviting me to stay at the palace." Nicholas shook hands with my aunt and she nodded her head back at him before gesturing to Mia 

"You already know my niece and nephew, but may I present you my granddaughter, Mia." Aunt Clarisse introduced himself to Mia who scoffed, looking away from him with her arms crossed against her chest

"Your highness." Nicholas said to her softly, bowing but Mia didn't say or do anything back at his gesture

"Mia, would you like to welcome our guest? An old friend of mines?" I asked Mia but my tone came out as a soft demand and Mia took a deep breath

"Lord Nicholas." Mia walked closer to him so they were face-to-face, "Uhh! Humph!" Mia grunted as she stomped on his foot with her small heels 

"You two always do that." Nicholas said as he hunched over slightly before standing up straighter with his uncle's aid