Royal Rules

Part 4

"Good evening everyone. I would like to thank you all for attending on such short notice, and we are sorry for the... incident that took place. We are happy to announce that the choosing will be held tomorrow when the sun is at its highest peak, and we shall have our feast tomorrow as well. For now, let us celebrate the year's fortune as well as our future prince!"

I ignored the shouts of joy and looked at Jacob, who was clenching his jaw with such ferocity that I thought he was going to pop a blood vessel in his temple. He caught me watching him, and it felt like a slap to the face to see the storm in his eyes. It faded slightly, but the image of the anger and pain in his eyes was still burned into my mind. He put a hand on my leg, which caused chills to crawl all over my body, and offered me a genuine smile. I couldn't help but return it, and his smile brightened even more. Soon there were dozens of waiters and waitresses scouring the room, rushing to serve the royals first, and I inhaled the sweet scent of food. For the next half an hour I switched between eating and talking to Jacob and Father. Mother didn't speak to me from the other side of Father, forcing her smile and keeping her stature as always. I tried to get her attention, but she was trying her hardest to ignore my presence.

"Mom..." Only then did she turn to look at me, a look of surprise on both her and Father's faces.

"Yes Daughter, what is it?"

"About earlier... I really didn't mean to upset you. I was taken by surprise just as you were." Her smile slowly crept back onto her face, and I was relieved she wasn't looking at me like I had some type of disease.

"I understand Daughter; I'm just concerned for you. I don't want your heart to be broken," she said in a low voice, glancing past me. I knew she was looking at Jacob, and for once I felt like she was trying to be motherly instead of just telling me what was 'right'. I reached over for her hand, and she squeezed mine.

Dinner was over and it was on to dessert.

"Is she still pissed at me?" I jumped at Jacob's voice, making him chuckle.

"I don't think so, more at me right now."

"You still never told me what happened earlier," he recalled, and my heart double-timed just at the thought. I watched him study my expression, wondering if he was trying to read my thoughts.

"I'll tell you after the party," I whispered, making sure Mother and Father didn't hear me. While we chatted over chocolate sorbet his hand found mine under the table, and I tried to hide a small gasp as he drew small circles on the back of my hand with his thumb.

"Am I making you nervous?" He whispered so only I could hear, and I would have hit him if we weren't around my relatives

"Just a bit," I admitted, and he chuckled softly.

"I have that effect on the ladies."

"You're so cocky."

"My dear princess, it's called having high self-esteem. There's a difference," he added when he saw I was about to say something, and I smiled. I finished my dessert in record time, ignoring my mother's look of disapproval from the other side of Father. It was almost time to dance. There had been music playing in the background, but it slowly rose to a volume fit for dancing. The lights dimmed to a soft glow, ever-so-slightly illuminating the room.

The king asked his queen to dance, as it was traditional for them to start the dancing. I noticed the couple for the first time that night, Mother in her glittery gold gown that flowed around her, and Father in his suit with a golden rose tucked in his pocket. They were perfect for each other; an elegant couple that made everyone turn and stare. I watched them waltz across the dance floor like one body, saw Father whisper into Mother's ear, and heard her sweet laughter. My thoughts were interrupted when Jacob touched my elbow gently, and I hadn't even noticed he was trying to get my attention.