Becoming Mrs. Charming

Chapter 3

I went through about 5 different outfits, showing each of them to Sarah as well as texting Pheobi the photos.

"How about this one?"I asked Sarah.

I was wearing a vintage maroon dress with a long black button down coat and black booties.

"Oh Miss! I mean... Lea, you look amazing! I'm sure this "mystery man" is going to find you irresistible!!!" She did a little happy dance and then left the room to let me finish getting ready.

···

"Oh darling you look lovely!" Grandmother exclaimed as I glided down the Grande staircase into the foyer. "

¨Thank you Grandmother, Your looking radiant.¨ And it was true, she was wearing a plum colored dress with long lace sleeves and a formfitting look that complimented her petite body.

¨Alright darling, as soon as we get to the palace where we will be meeting you will walk into the foyer. There you will be escorted to the dining area where you will meet your Prince." Grandmothers eyes sparkled as she spoke, she was genuinely happy about this arrangement.

¨Grandmother,"I questioned. ¨Are you sure about this? I mean, What if we're not meant for each other. What if we can't stand each others presence and we both don't want to get married? It's the 21st century I should be able to choose who I want to get married to! I should be able to choose where I want to live. I should be able to LIVE!¨

¨ENOUGH!¨ Grandmother exclaimed. ¨I am sick and tired of your ungreatful attitude! You are a Princess and you have a great duty to your kingdom! Now you are going to go in there, make a GREAT impression, and get married at the end of the year to your PRINCE! now,¨ She cleared her throut. ¨We are not going to discuss this anymore.¨ She turned towards the front door and signaled to the driver to get the car ready. ¨Come along dear, your future awaits.¨

•••

As i stepped out of the sleek black limosine and onto the grey, paved driveway I went over everything in my head.
I'm meeting my prince,
We're getting married,
Grandmothers happy about it,
I'll be in a different country by this time next year,
I can't do anything about it...

"AHHHH!"

I yelped as I tripped on the last step before the door. But before I could hit the ground something, or someone, else came into contact with me.

"Are you alright Princess?" The tall boy, who's muscular chest I was currently pressed into asked. He looked around 18 and had dirty blonde hair that curled a bit and stormy blue eyes.

"Y-yes I'm-I'm fine, I'm so sorry for falling on you are you alright?" I asked as I pulled away from his strong grasp.

"You didn't hurt me one bit sweetheart." He said, a smirk on his gorgeous face. Wait what?

"Sweetheart?" I questioned.

"Why yes," he said. "My name is Prince Derrick Wendeickson."

•••

"And that's how I met my Prince." I told Pheobi as she stared at me, mouth gaping.

"You fell onto him!" She gasped. "Gosh Lea you sure know how to make an introduction huh?" She laughed. "So tell me about the dinner."

"The dinner, once the awkwardness disappeared, was quite good! We had a small salad and a bowl of tomato soup. For the main course it was fílet-"

"No no no not about the food!" Phoebi interrupted, "I'm talking about him! Did anything happen?" She gave me a suggestive look.

"Oh yeah Pheobe, we made out across the table." I said, my voice thick with sarcasm. "No nothing happened aside from small glances whenever our parents mentioned a wedding."

¨Oooooooooooh awkward!" Pheobe laughed at my embarrassment. ¨soooooooo...¨ She paused, ¨Are you gonna talk to Conner?¨

I'd been giving Conner a lot of thought and I really DID want to talk to him. Actually, I wanted to do a bit more than talk but that won't happen. ¨No I-¨ Pheobe cut me off before i could get to my expanation.

¨Okay good because I brought him with me this time!¨ Pheobe stood up and walked out of the cave, she came back a few seconds later, dragging Conner behind her.

¨Hi Lea.¨ Conner said, waving his hand.

¨Uh, Hey Conner.¨ But before I knew what was happening Conner ran towards me and wrapped me into the longest hug i've ever felt!

¨I missed you so much Conner, more than you could ever know!¨

He sighed, ¨I missed you too, but theres some things we need to talk about.¨

I breathed in his scent of cinnamon and the earth. "I'm so sorry Conner..." I pushed myself away from his comforting touch, I knew I was hurting him but I couldn't do this. I would be forced to marry Derrick and either way he would be hurt.

"I love you," I began, "but you know just as I do that I cannot change anything. It is all arranged. The wedding will be next year, your invited..."

He looked at me, his eyes glistening with tears. "If you love me than just run away! Leave this castle! Go live with me in America, I have a job there and will be leaving next week!" He looked down, the into my eyes. Hopeful. "No Conner," I looked away ashamed. "I can't do that. We would get caught you know it! And then what will happen, I will be shipped if to the castle to be closely guarded and you, you will be sent to jail or worse, executed." His features went emotionless and he spoke quietly. "Well then Lea," he paused," thinking over what to say, "Go with your rich Prince. See if I ever help you again!" He screamed, one filled with so many emotions heartbreak, loss, anger, betrayal, all these dealings I had caused him. All these feeling I made the love of my life feel.

He turned his back in me and ran out of the small hiding place and into the darkness. "Go Pheobi, calm him down. Tell him what he knows. He knows we can't change it, any of it, go tell him."

"But Lea," she began but I put my hand on her shoulder, signaling her to stop, "Go."

As she ran after him into the darkness I turned off the small lantern I had hanging and grabbed the uneaten food left in the basket and walked through the opening. I stopped for a second and turned towards the darkness that swallowed my love and best friend.

"Goodbye Conner." And with that, I pushed his memory away. I accepted my destiny.