The Arrangement

s i x

ஜ Adeline ஜ

A footman opened the door to the carriage and helped me out. I took a few steps forward, scanning my surroundings, and breathing in the wonderful fresh air and unknown scents.

'Prince Nikolai, I advise you to step out of the carriage. You know your Father has a short temper,' the footman spoke timidly.

I turned to look at Nikolai. I found him to already have his eyes trained on me; I was met by his forlorn expression. He averted his eyes, nodding curtly to the footman.

'You're right.' Nikolai sighed. 'Thank you, Harrison.'

Nikolai climbed out of the carriage. 'I apologize. How rude of me to act this way, when you... a guest and Princess are right here.'

I was about to tell him that it was alright, but then the rumble of King Andreyevich's voice interrupted. 'Welcome to my castle, Princess Adeline.'

I nodded respectfully. 'It's beautiful.'

Nikolai offered me his hand. I looked at it briefly, before accepting it.

Other servants began making their way the front of the castle. A tall woman with her golden hair pulled into an elegant updo exuded regality as she strode toward us. The golden crown atop her head gave it away. She's the Queen. Her smile melted away when her eyes rested upon me and her slow, easy strides became swift. Nikolai gave my hand a squeeze. Her brow was furrowed, but then, a moment later her plastic smile returned. She remembered that the public was watching.

Once she was close enough, I could smell her surely costly perfume. The scent was much like the unknown scent I first noticed when I arrived at the castle.

'Andreyevich. Who have you brought home? Without asking or telling me a thing?' her tone of voice was sharp and she clenched her jaw, her smile looking more like she was baring her teeth; as she looked at me pointedly. If looks could kill...

He gestured toward me. 'She can speak for herself, then, I'll... explain once we are inside the castle.'

'Queen Tatiana,' I started, doing a curtesy to show respect. 'I'm Princess Adeline of the Kingdom of Libero.'

She widened her eyes. 'You brought her here?'

Andreyevich sighed, rolling his charcoal eyes. 'You're always so dramatic, darling,' he said with a tight smile. 'Let's head inside, shall we?' he patted her shoulder, before he made his way to the front doors to the castle, leaving a trail of scrambling servants in his wake.

Tatiana fixated me with a scowl, before she took a deep breath and turned to face Nikolai.

'My son.' she sighed, hugging him tightly, before placing her hands on his shoulders. 'The Liberans were good to you?'

He nodded. 'Especially, Princess Adeline. She added some new words to my vocabulary and really showed me the etiquette of people who live in her kingdom.'

I had to suppress my eyes from widening; and a little laugh, too, to be honest. The little runt was making fun of me! But... he made it sound good. Which was great, because so far it seemed like Tatiana isn't the biggest fan of me. I needed her to like me. After all, she is my soon to be Monster-in-law.

'Oh,' she said, clearly taken aback. 'I mean, that's good! I would expect nothing less.' she amended, looking at me once more to scrutinize me. I nearly squirmed under her icy stare.

'Well, Princess. Don't just stand there.' Tatiana laughed, as if I was a small child who didn't have a clue of what to do. 'Tonight is the big Return of the Royal Family feast. I'll have some servants prepare a room to you and attend to your needs to help you get ready. We have our own customs and such. You'll have to get used to them, dear.'