Red Apples [Completed]

Chapter 2: The Prince

I walk through the kitchen door and start washing the berries I have picked which already look delicious but I won't be able to eat. After I put the berries away in a place to keep them so they don't spoil Elaine comes rushing in and comes over to me

"Princess. Come with me but be very quiet" she says and we rush off and hide around where the thrown room is and I see stepmother talking to two men and I listen in

"This is my son Peeta your grace. I am the King of Trosian and just like your husband had discussed, your stepdaughter and my son are to be married" I try not to gasp and hold my hand to my mouth, me? Marrying a prince?

"I'm sorry but I have no knowledge of that" she states

"I believe it is not your place to tell me madam. This arrangement was made when the princess was born, and as we are your closest ally I suggest you go fetch the princess as if you have done something to harm her you will be taken to be slave across our country" I hear the King threaten and it's silent

"The princess is usually in the kitchen talking to everyone" stepmother states

"I shall go and get her and make sure she goes to freshen up" she adds and me and Elaine get out quickly and get back in the kitchen trying to act normal and not too long after stepmother comes in and I face her

"Go to your room and get freshened up. We have guests who wish to see you" she says unemotionally and without being seen Elaine and I go into my room and she finds me a dress and shoes

"Oh this is great! We're all saved!" Elaine excitedly says taking out a dress and low shoes

"Elaine. I don't know what to do. I don't know them" I admit as she helps me to get ready

"It's okay Katniss. Just be yourself and try to get to know them, the Kings son is a very kind and handsome boy" she explains as my dress goes on after I put on my shoes and she braids my hair in its usual braid and smiles

"Now you are ready" she says and we walk together into the thrown room where stepmother sits in one of the chairs while Peeta and his father talk and after they hear doors open all eyes are on me and it's not now that I realise that Elaine is gone and so slowly I make my way over and curtsy at the two men

"Ah. Katniss I remember you when you were just a little girl" the King says

"I am much grown up now" I say and he chuckles

"You are my dear. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the ceremony of your father. I'm so sorry for your loss he was a great man" and I sadly smile

"I'm sure he didn't mind. He was a great man" I reply and he turns to Peeta

"This is my son. Peeta, I don't know if you remember but you first met him when you were five. Your father had betrothed you to my son once it is your seventeenth birthday which is a month from now meaning there is a lot of planning that is meant to be done" he explains and I nod

"Now that we're all introduced. I have things to do, our butler Alfred shall show you to your room my grace. I'm sure you two men are joining the ball tomorrow evening"

"We were planning on going home in the morning but we shall stay an extra day. Peeta, Katniss why don't you two go into the garden?" The King says and I gulp and nod and we walk out and we don't start talking till we're outside

"I know you" he speaks and I feel my heart beating out of my chest

"You're the one who was in the forest. I wasn't expecting a princess. Why were you out there all alone?" He asked and I shrugged

"I had asked stepmother if I was able to go berry picking for the ball and she had allowed it. I just wanted to be alone for a little bit" I cover up

"Oh. You will me attending won't you?" He asks and I nod

"I guess I will" I reply

"How do you feel about the whole marriage thing?" He asks scratching the back of his neck as we walk around on the path way in the garden and I feel my cheeks burning, he's very nice to talk to and very handsome, I don't feel all that bad marrying him

"I, I'm okay with it. You're very nice to talk to and you are quite handsome" I admit and he smiles

"What happened to your village, they're definitely not like they use to be" he admits and I shrug

"I don't know what happened really. After my father died they started running out of money and now they have to beg for food and hardly have roofs over their heads. Plus, there's no point on me ruling here" I sigh sitting on a bench and he sits next to me

"Why shouldn't you rule here?" He asks

"Because. My birthday is when everyone is their saddest. I'm the one to blame for my fathers death, it was on my birthday, I'm cursed" I explain

"Don't say that. You're not cursed at all, you'll be an excellent ruler"

"You think so?" I ask looking into his calm blue eyes and he smiles

"I don't think. I know, everyone loves you Katniss. What's not to love?" He explains and I smile blushing and I look down at my lap and I see his warm hand hold mine and I look at him and he kisses my cheek, sending little sparks through my body and we make our way into the castle hand in hand.