Princess of Illéa

Chapter 19 - Engaged

Mom offers to sleep with me that night and I accept, since I still can't sleep on my own, I can't do practically anything on my own without feeling scared, and I don't know if I'll ever stop feeling this way, at least not with Clarkson here. She leaves me with my maids to go back to her room and put on some pajamas, while I do the same. I put on some comfortable pajamas and lie down on the bed, waiting to fall asleep in my mother's arms.

The next day we wake up, Mom says goodbye to me with a kiss on the forehead and goes back to her room to get ready. With my maids keeping me company in my bedroom, I go to the bathroom to have a shower and then get ready for the day.

As soon as my maids help me put on a dress and shoes and do my makeup, I go down to the Women's Room, where the Selected, Silvia and my mother are already.

"It was a very daunting task we gave you, and it absolutely could have gone horribly wrong. I'm pleased to say, however, that both teams did very well." Silvia announces just after I arrive.

I see the girls sigh with relief.

"If I'm honest, one event was slightly better than the other, but you should all be proud of your accomplishments. We received thank you letters from our longtime friends in the German Federation for your gracious hosting," Silvia says, then turns to Celeste, Elise and Natalie. "There were a few minor hiccups, and I don't think any of us truly enjoy such serious affairs, but they certainly did." then she looks at Kriss and America. "And as for you two, the ladies from Italy enjoyed themselves immensely. They were quite impressed with your style, and the food; and they made a special point to ask for the wine you served, so, bravo! I wouldn't be surprised if Illéa gained a wonderful new ally based on that welcome. You're to be commended."

Silvia continues talking about something that I don't pay attention to, because a maid enters the room and whispers something in my mother's ear, who replies, "Absolutely, they may,"

The maid leaves quickly and opens the door for Maxon and the king. A curiosity: men cannot enter the Women's Room without the Queen's permission. The Selected bow as soon as they enter.

"Dear ladies, we are sorry to intrude, but we have urgent news," says Clarkson.

"I'm afraid we've had a development with the war in New Asia," says Maxon, his voice firm. "The situation is so dire that Father and I are leaving this very moment to see if we can do any good."

I can't help but celebrate internally that my father is leaving the palace for a while.

"What's wrong?" Mom asks, clutching her chest.

"It's nothing to worry about, my love," says Clarkson.

I have to stop myself from making a disgusted face when I hear him call Mom that after everything.

Maxon approaches Mom and exchanges a few words with her, then she kisses him on the forehead and hugs him. Finally, my brother comes up to me to say goodbye.

I hug him and whisper in his ear, "Good luck, Max."

He nods his head in thanks. "Please try to keep Mom entertained. She worries." my turn to nod.

Then he passes by each of the Selected to say goodbye. I can't help but notice his behavior with Celeste, which to anyone else is no big deal, but to me I can see that he's still interacting a little awkwardly with her. I don't know if it's because he knows we're dating or because of what he almost witnessed the other day.

I see that while Maxon is talking to America, Clarkson shouts, "Maxon, we need to go."

And then they both leave. As soon as they leave, I see my mother blink a few times and take a deep breath. I approach her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Is everything all right, Mom?" I ask worriedly.

She shakes her head discreetly. No. Then she turns to the Selected.

"Forgive me, ladies, but this sudden news will require a lot of work from me. I think it's best if I go to my room so I can focus." I recognize the enormous effort she makes to speak. "How about I have lunch delivered here so you can eat at your leisure, and I will join you all for dinner tonight?"

Everyone agrees.

"Excellent," she says. Before she leaves I grab her hand, which makes her turn and look at me.

"Are you sure you want to be alone? Don't you want company?" I ask.

She nods with a small smile. Before turning away and leaving, she kisses me on the forehead and hugs me.

"Stay here with the girls. I think it would be good for you to spend some time together." is the last thing she says before leaving.

I wonder if what she means by spending time together is about all the Selected or if she means Celeste.

Shortly after my mother leaves I see Celeste doing the same, but first she turns and looks at me. I let her go first. I see that the other girls don't plan to stay there either, so I leave with the rest.

As soon as I get to my room I see Celeste sitting on my bed, waiting. I sit down next to her and hold her hands.

"I know this isn't the best time to tell you this," I say, referring to the fact that Maxon and the king have just left. "but I wanted to say that I won the bet."

She sits still for a few seconds, thinking. Then she turns to me with tears in her eyes.

"You mean..." she says.

I kneel in front of her, still holding her hands. "Celeste Newsome, will you have the honor of becoming my wife?" I ask, my eyes as tearful as hers.

She doesn't answer, she simply pulls me into a kiss. So we're officially engaged!