Dragon's little flower

Chapter four

The next day

Yesterday's event went peacefully. People from all around the world chatted amusingly. They ate, danced and admired the castle all evening. Some stayed the night, others went back home. The royals made their presence known. The king and queen gave a great speech about prosperity, the princess showed her talent at singing and the prince spin every lady on the dance floor. The oldest prince was seen as well, but briefly. If only would they knew the purpose of this ball had been achieved.

Nobody discovered Belletem had found his mate. When their conversation was over and he accompanied her through the journey to her home, he returned to the gala and didn't say anything about her. He wanted to have her in his hear, only him for that night, and he didn't want to be questioned about every aspect of their meeting. So, he kept quiet about the whole endeavour.

The night has fallen, and now, the sun rises up to the sky. A few people are awake at this hour, including Belletem. His thoughts about Seraphina are unstoppable. Her eyes shape resembles the stars. This member is full of colour in its structure— from brownish green to dark forest green. He is sure her eyes shine the light of her good heart. Whenever he thinks of her wavy hair, his knees grow weak. Her hair is like a chaplet that crowns her head. Also, her silhouette was marvellous. She could had worn a garbage bag and still be the most eye-chatting woman of the evening. Her violet dress enchanted him. Such a fitting colour representing her true form, of a royal, his princess and soon to be the queen of her subjects.

The future seems bright. They decided to meet again the following weekend. He promised her a surprise meeting. Now, he thinks of all the possible date ideas: he could take her to his holiday house where they wouldn't be disturbed by anyone. A nice dinner with some background music and a stroll through the forest. Maybe, he should take her to the art market so she can enjoy the bickering of the street artists and see their intense artwork with strong strokes of brush. Then they can taste the local cuisine and buy some fruits from the farmers. The centre is also a good point of sightseeing.

Belletem knows his family will be eager and delighted to meet her. A good option would be to introduce the members. Then a ride on the imperial horses in the rodeo specially arranged for this sounds good. As he thinks, in his mind comes endless possibilities he could grab onto.

Taking about his parents and his siblings, they appear one by one in the dining room for their tradition of enjoying breakfast together. Gracefully, Esmeralda walks holding her head high and turning around the table preferring to sit near him. Next is Kamadier, who joins them on the left side of the table, having a perfect view of all the food on the plates. He glances at his brother. Seeing his barely contained smile, the prince smirks visibly.  „This is going to be a lovely morning." reckons Kamadier.

Their mother is shortly followed by their father. Grabbing her hand, the king smiles at his wife. Every day their love becomes stronger and stronger. The servants never stop chatting about their displays of affection. All three of their children see how much they adore one another, and they know how to behave when they will find a lover. „Seraphina won't want for anything because I'll provide everything for her" thinks the oldest prince and without his consent a smile makes way on his lips. In that moment, his whole face brightens and shines like the sun in the summer. A renewed energy flows through his veins and bones, making him sit straighter and looking more imposing. His siblings see these changes incredible fast.

The queen addresses first. „Peaceful times are to be celebrated in all their glory. We had a wonderful night ball." looking at her husband she adds: „I'm calling a successful event and I hope yesterday was a good example of how a royal ball should look once we retire."

„Successful night indeed." responses the middle son. He pours some tea for his sister, turning he pours some for his brother as well and only then he serves a cup for himself. „I would lie if I would say I'm not at all curious about our dearest brothers' point of view." He looks eyes with Esmeralda and they both grin.

The parents share curious looks, but don't dare to say anything yet. A moment passes and all the heads turn towards Belletem. He doesn't seem to be in the right mind.

„Well?" gives the mother voice to her impatience. We could say they all transformed in the blink of an eye in toddlers waiting to receive their candies. So, he decided to free them of the feeling tension.

„I have the honour to announce that after many difficulties I put you when I isolated myself form your kindness, I finally found my beloved mate!" he beams from ear to ear looking at his family exploding in cheers and laughs.

Esmé jumps up and down giggling, tossing and turning. His brother is in a trio hug with their parents. Who would have thought how much happiness they all received. This is the best breakfast they ever had, and they hope the future will be bright with breakfast just like this one. They talk some more and eat some food.

The happiness lasts long in the royal family, but Belletem is also nervous. Will his mates' grandparents accept him and give them their blessing, or will he be forced to kidnap her? The thoughts stay and the days flee until the weekend arrives.

Taking the forestry route, the prince heads for the cottage where Seraphina lives. He tries to fill his mind with the sound of the birds and the swing of the leaves. He feels prepared which is a good sign.

The journey doesn't take long, and he finds himself arriving at her house. He knocks twice and waits. In the past, he imagined this moment in different scenarios and with different circumstances, but always with the same ending, their happily ever after.

He is awakened from his reverie by the opening of the door. A gentleman appears in front of him, wearing a waistcoat over his top and a cap made from what it looks like cashmere. He doesn't waste time looking at the young boy and steps aside, making room for him to come in. Then, they go in the living room where an old granny already sits on the couch. Belletem wants to introduce himself, but the man, who is probably her grandfather beat him to sit down, so he obeys.

„Good afternoon, ma'am" he bows „sir."

„Good afternoon to you too, son." replies the man. „I assume you are the one who charmed my nephew on the night of the ball." He sits next to the old lady and waits for an answer.

Belletem confidently presents himself and assures them he has only the best intentions when it comes to their nephew. Her grandfather asks some more questions to which he answers all of them, putting his worries aside. Her grandmother looks at him without saying much until she asks a question that surprises the young man.

„Aren't you perhaps that prince that is looking for a long time after his mate?"

He doesn't say anything at first, but then he confirms his identity. Apparently, his worries were for nothing, because both of them give him the blessing to court Seraphina. They also rebuke him a little for not revealing himself to her immediately after they shared some words, but he promised to rectify the matter. The conversation ends shortly because in the threshold appears the person they talked so much about, Seraphina.