𝙱𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚘𝚢𝚊𝚕 𝚅𝚎𝚒𝚕

CHAPTER 13

You breathe out a sigh, the reality of your situation sinking in once more. You've written to Prince Eris, your parents officially accepting the engagement, and your heart is torn between excitement and anxiety. You don't know when you'll see him again, or how he's reacting to hearing the news of your parent's blessing. But you hope, more than anything, that he feels the same way you do.

You shake your head, trying to push away the anxious thoughts. There's no use in worrying about something you can't control. Instead, you turn your thoughts to more immediate matters: what to tell your friends, how to face your parents, and most importantly, how to plan this new life with Prince Eris, your future husband.

You sit quietly for a while, allowing yourself to process the events of the past few days. The room is quiet, the only sound the steady ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. You're about to get up, when suddenly, there's a knock on your door.

"Come in," you call out, your voice soft.

The door creaks open, revealing the familiar face of your best friend, Lady Beatrice. Her eyes light up as she sees you, a mix of concern and excitement in her expression.

"There you are!" she exclaims, striding into the room and shutting the door behind her. "I've been looking all over for you. I need to talk to you, and I mean now."

You can't help but chuckle at her dramatic entrance. "Here I am," you say, amused. "What is it that's so urgent?"

"Urgent? Oh, only the fact that you disappeared for Prince Eris of Arkann's birthday only to reappear with the news of an engagement with him?" Beatrice says, planting her hands on her hips and feigning mock outrage.

You can't help but roll your eyes, but her tone is playful and you know she's just as excited as she is concerned. "Yes, the engagement... it's true." you say, feeling a flutter of excitement and anxiousness just saying the words aloud.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Beatrice exclaims, walking to you. The mock outrage now giving way to genuine surprise. "You disappear for a few days and come back engaged to the prince of our supposed enemy kingdom?"

You hold up your hands, trying to pacify her. "I know, I know. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Everything just happened so fast, and I needed some time to process it all... And besides, were in alliance with Arkann now."

"Oh, please." Beatrice huffs, sitting down beside you on a nearby chair and taking your hands in hers. "Just because our kingdoms signed some treaty doesn't erase the fact that he's him and you're you. The prince that made your life a living hell for years and you, the princess he spent just as long antagonizing. What on earth happened?"

"It's a long story." you say, feeling the familiar pang of guilt when you think back to the past years and the pain he had caused you. How he made you feel small, humiliated, and at times, even worthless. But then you remember the change you'd seen in him before his birthday, the kindness he'd shown you. "But he's not like that anymore. He's changed, Beatrice. Truly."

"Changed?" Beatrice raises an eyebrow, skepticism in her face. "You expect me to believe that the Prince of Arkann, the man who's spent his time making your life a misery, has suddenly become a sweet, loving prince overnight? I'm not buying it."

You sigh, knowing that your friend's skepticism is justified. "I know it sounds impossible." you say, trying to find the words to explain. "And I don't blame you for not believing me. I wouldn't have believed it myself, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."

She folds her arms, frowning at you, though there's a hint of curiosity in her gaze now. "Alright, I'll bite. What exactly did you see, that's made you think Prince Eris has changed?"

Lady Beatrice was the only person who spoke to you like a normal human, not just a princess. That's what you love about her, and that's why you are best friends.

You take a deep breath, gathering your thoughts. "I saw a side to him I never thought existed." you say, your voice soft. "He was kind, understanding, even... affectionate. His harsh exterior fell away, and he... he expressed a side of himself at the Annual Arkann and Solaria Peace Ball."

"Affectionate? Prince Eris? Affectionate with you?" Beatrice gasps, her eyes wide. "Now I know you're making this up."

"I promise I'm not," you say, gripping her hands, willing her to believe you. "He was, Beatrice. It was like seeing a completely different person. He danced with me, talked to me, joked with me even. And when he walked me back to my room, he..." you trail off, the memory of that moment bringing heat to your cheeks.

"He what?" Beatrice asks, her voice dropping to a whisper. "What did he do?"

You hesitate for a moment, the memory of that moment still sending flutters through your stomach. Then, you release a shaky exhale. "He kissed me," you admit, meeting her gaze. "...He kissed me, and... I kissed him back. We did more than kissing...even though we shouldn't have... "

Beatrice's eyes go wide, a mix of shock and awe on her face. "You...and him?" she gasps, her composure faltering for a moment. "You're serious...you really did...that...with Prince Eris?" Beatrice gasps louder "YOU HAD SEX WITH PRINCE ERIS!?"

You clap a hand over her mouth, your face flushing deep red. "Yes, yes, I did, just...shush!" you hiss, looking to the door in case anyone heard.

She pulls your hand away from her mouth, still reeling from the unexpected news. "Oh my goodness," she whispers, barely able to believe what she's hearing. "I don't know whether to be impressed, shocked, or... jealous."

You can't help but chuckle. "Impressed? Jealous?" you ask, raising an eyebrow. "I don't think there's much to be jealous about, considering your past, don't you think?"

"I suppose you're right," she muses, her expression turning to a smirk. "Although...I have to admit, the idea of Prince Eris being all sweet and romantic is quite intriguing."

You roll your eyes, but can't hide the smile pulling at your lips. "Don't let that change your opinion of him too much," you warn, half-teasing. "He's still a smug, arrogant prince, even if he does have a softer side now."

"Oh, I'm sure. His reputation doesn't change that easily." Beatrice grins, leaning back. "So... how big was it?" She teases you with a smirk.

You feel your cheeks heat up even more, your eyes widening at her unexpected question. "Beatrice!" you exclaim, trying to sound scandalized, but failing to hide your amusement. "That's... that's none of your business!"

"Oh, come on!" Beatrice pouts, clearly enjoying making you squirm. "You can't drop a bomb like that and not expect me to ask questions. Besides, you have to admit it's curious. That big, cocky, egotistical prince... I bet it's just as small as his ego."

You let out another small laugh, her cheeky attitude somehow easing the embarrassment. "Well, I can assure you, his ego is the only small thing," you murmur, unable to help yourself.

Beatrice's mouth drops open, her own cheeks flushing at your implication. "Okay, you...I-" She stammers, clearly not expecting you to return the tease. "You can't just drop something like that and not share details." Beatrice finally spouts.

You laugh, enjoying having the upper hand for once. "Oh, the details? I don't think a princess should sex and tell." you reply, giving her a coy look.

Beatrice mock pouts, feigning exaggerated disappointment. "You're cruel," she says, shaking her head. "I came here for gossip, and all I'm getting is secrecy." she shakes her head "And here I thought we were best friends!"

You chuckled again, seeing right through her feigned indignation. "Fine, fine," you relent, feigning reluctance. "What do you want to know, you nosy devil?"

Beatrice grins, clearly pleased she's getting what she wants. "Start from the beginning," she instructs, leaning in. "How did it even start? I know he's never shown an interest in you before, so why the sudden change?"

You hesitate for a moment, gathering your thoughts. Then, you start from the beginning, telling her everything. From how he seemed different when you first saw him again at the Annual Arkann and Solarian Peace Ball, to the moment he said he wanted you, and the stolen moments you'd shared at his birthday, and even the moment you shared together intimately. You leave nothing out, allowing her to know the full extent of your juicy gossip.