The Romantique Times

Chapter 1: The Meeting

Chapter 1: The Meeting

*Edited*

Wilfred's POV

Being a prince was not fun. I sighed resignedly, staring at the heaps and heaps of documents that were piled neatly onto my table.

I heard the door close and looked up from the files, to see my personal butler, Andrew, enter the room.

"Your highness," he greeted, bowing deeply, a slight shiver in his voice, indicating that something was wrong.

"What is it?" I asked, preparing myself for the worst.

"It's Lady Celeste. She has caught a terrible cold, and therefore cannot be here for the Easter Celebration tomorrow," Andrew said in a worried tone as he waited for my response. "Your highness, whom might you prefer to attend the celebration as your partner tomorrow night?"

Irritated, I threw the file I was holding onto the desk, causing Andrew to hang his head even lower.

Why must I make such trivial decisions myself? Can't a prince have some peace while going through important documents?

"You're my butler, shouldn't you be the one making the decision for me? Just make sure that you make the right choice. Prepare the carriage. I need a walk," I said before standing up and heading for the door.

"Your wish is my command, your highness." Andrew said and walked quickly to the door to open it for me.

The overload of information was giving me a royal headache.

"Hey! Isn't that the royal carriage?"

"I wonder who's inside."

The appearance of the carriage itself was enough to create uproar in town. Peeking outside, I saw my people stopping to stare. People chattered loudly and some even stopped to bow.

In that moment, I knew this was my kingdom. These were my people that gave me my power, and hence I was grateful for their unlimited support. Even if I was not the one who built the kingdom, I was confident and strove to develop it.

Soon, the carriage came to a stop. "Your highness, we've reached Rose Square."

I stepped out and took in the sweet scent of the flowers. The sweet scents never failed to calm my nerves. I walked around, smiling at the citizens that walked past me before they turn to the person beside them to boast about meeting a royal.

Hmm. It feels pretty good to be a royal at times.

At a distance, I saw a young child, a girl, in a tattered dress, standing in front of the blue rose pit and staring at the roses. How peculiar. Children of her age don't really know how to appreciate the beauty of nature. I stared at her, wondering what she'd do next.

Suddenly, she reached out to pluck the rose, and impulsively, I rushed forward to stop her.

"Careful!" I exclaimed, stopping the child from plucking the flower just in time. Her fingers were hovering right above the thorns and it would've hurt terribly if she got one stuck in her finger. 

"It could've hurt, you know. You should've watched where your fingers were if you really wanted the flower," I explained to her as I squatted down to her eye level. What an innocent child.

"Thank you, sire," the child spoke and curtsied.

How well mannered, I thought, smiling at the child.

Soon, her eyes once again wandered off to the roses.

"You really like them, don't you?" I said, following her gaze.

"Oh, I love them, sire! Look how lovely they are! My sister Vicky loves them too!" she replied enthusiastically, never once looking away from the flowers.

"How interesting. What is your name, my young lady?" I asked, my mind filled with questions for this inquisitive child.

"It's Lily Williams, Sire," she answered and curtsied once more. Just then, another lady hurriedly came towards us.

"I apologies for my absence, sire. I sincerely hope that my sister here has not been of any trouble," she said in a voice that was so very clear and curtsied deeply even before I could catch a glimpse of her face.

"It's alright. No harm done," I said, smiling to myself at her reaction.

"Vicky! The sire here had saved me from the rose's thorns!" Lily exclaimed excitedly and grabbed onto Vicky's hand.

"Lily! Watch your behavior! Thank you for your help, sire. I'll take my sister back now. Come along now, Lily," she said and pulled Lily away.

"Wa-Wait!" I called out and unconsciously pulled her to stop.

 Vicky turned to face me in shock.

That face, what a beauty, I thought, already mesmerized. 

~

Hello everyone! Thank you for taking the time to read the first chapter of my very first book! I really appreciate it! This is a story that I have thought of due to my barbie-filled childhood. As a child, I have always admired and enjoyed the fairytale stories that included prince and princesses. Even till this day, I still fantasize about the stories with castles and pretty gowns and handsome princes and royal balls and white carriages and horses... The list can go on! So pretty much the fairytale life. 

This story is also based around a magical kingdom that I created in my head, so there is no concept of time frame or location or formalities about the royals and any other serious aspects. Hence, I hope that this story will turn out to be a light-hearted story, that will also pack heartwarming scenes and also nerve wrecking events. HEHE. 

I hope that you enjoy my story! (: