Last Ruler

Last Ruler Chapter 3

The feast seems the stretch on and on from my perch at the head of the table. By some twist of fate Liam ended up next to me and I couldn’t help but be hyper aware of his every shift, what he ate, and who he talked to. What stood out the most however was the fact that all of the ladies were either swooning over him or leaning further foreword as better display their volumous bosoms. 

Sighing I turned back to my plate of food and shifted its contents around as I moved myself nervously in a similar way around my chair. Everyone around me seemed at ease bantering and smiling easily. I was the only one who found this function awkward.

Indeed I was the only one with a reason to feel unhappy. These were the last bachelors and I would have to pick out of one of them. Of corse my choice of man would have to agree to the betrothal too and the only suitor I wanted was staring very intently down the dresses of the women draped over him.

Almost as if sensing me stare Liam glanced at me and rolled his eyes at the women batting their eyelashes at his and giggling over his every word. I smiled at his obvious disdain for the ladies. This simple action lifted my spirits considerably for now I might actually secure a decent husband for myself.

Smiling back at me Liam slowly disentangled himself from his followers and stood up. When he cleared his throat every head in the room snapped toward his figure.  

"Your Majesty," he began addressing my father, "I request your permission to take Her Highness on a ride tomorrow after noon."

My father smiled at this personal triumph of his. Finally a prince was seriously considering my hand and his dream of a married daughter was coming true.

" Prince Liamford, assuming my daughter will have you, it would be my pleasure for you to accompany her on a ride within palace grounds," the King responded trying to keep the satisfaction out of his voice. "What say you to this Valancy?"

"It would be my honor to accompany you Liamford," I said my head bowed the entire time as not to see the courts eyes burning in to me waiting with baited breath for me to answer so they would have a new victim to gossip about.

"Well it's settled then," my father bellowed, "and now we shall dance. Musicians?" With those words the up beat was struck and Liam turned to me.

"May I have this dance?" He asked with a bow. I nodded through my grimace. I could already feel the whispers and stares, the rumors that are surly already circulating about how I captured such a man's attentions.

We began to swirl to the music settling into the soothing up and down rhythm of the waltz and that's when the questions began.

"So Valancy.." he began.

"Val," I cut him off, "Please call me Val."

"Okay Val, why has someone as pretty as you not found a husband yet?" he inquired.

I gave him a short, humorless laugh and answered with a simple I am a princess because that explains it all. He should understand. He's a prince he should know that a royal's entire life is decided for them. They are raised detached from their own life decisions as others pick what benefits everyone except the child. In all the sixteen years of my existence I had not once made a bigger decision than what dress I would wear of dinner.

"Oh I understand," he smiled faintly.

For the rest of the dance we were silent and at the end he was whisked away by a dozen young girls towards the revelers while I slinked out of the hall and back to my room.