Crowns and Chains

Chapter Two: Returns and Brides

Zaria

"Lou, wake up"

"Lou"

I groan and turn away from the annoying voice.

"Eloise." the voice says again turning serious. I bury my face in my pillow further mumbling a 'go away' and kicking the person off my bed.

"It's been eight months, you're still no lady in the morning." The deep annoying voice says, chuckling, the person seemed to have good balance and just stood up beside my bed.

Then it sunk in to me. That nickname...

Edward!

He's back?!

Abruptly getting up with eyes wide open, I see him and all his annoying features. Same shade of blonde hair as mine and the familiar warm brown almost golden eyes so similar to my father's. My brother was home. He grinned laughing at my reaction.

"Eddie!" I say grinning and giving him a hug. "You did not even say you were coming today, a bit of warning could have been nice." I say pulling away, giving him a playful glare.

"Well it was sudden, mother called for me." He says.

"Mother?" I ask in curiosity. "She never usually calls, she does not even talk to us much." I say trying to keep my voice neutral but my brother saw through it, I saw sadness flash in his eyes then... anger?

"Yes, exactly why I came as soon as I could." He says.

"Well, you will know soon enough, anyway how was your trip?" I ask, getting up and trying to make myself a bit presentable, wiping of the crusted stuff from my eyes. Hey just because I am a princess does not mean I am not human, these things are as natural as pooping.

"It was good, I got around the country, learning how other Kingdoms rule, and I've seen a lot of young, beautiful, fair maidens as well." He says a, mischievous gleam in eyes.

"How lovely" I say sarcastically. "Sadly these fair maidens can not say the same to you."

"Ha ha, it's the same reason mother has to force suitors on you." He says narrowing his eyes. I glare back.

"But seriously," I state, my voice turning serious. "Ed, you are turning twenty-six, Mother and Father are going to expect you to choose a bride, well, queen very soon." I say and he sighs scratching his head.

"I know, that's why... I already have." He says looking at me sheepishly.

Did I hear that right?

"What?" I asked, it was more of a statement really.

"I have found my queen, little sister" He says grinning.

I gape at him in disbelief. I would say my brother and I have been really close and hearing that he found someone for the first time is really surprising and annoying that he didn't tell me sooner.

"Who is she? A princess in what kingdom?!" I ask, demanding immediate answers.

His face falls a bit, then he recovers with a tight-lipped smile. "You can meet her tomorrow at the local coffee shop down the street, she's not really a fussy person that's why she'd rather you meet her there than giving her and extravagant welcome in the palace. But she's amazing." He says with a subtlety dreamy voice. As if catching himself in his daze he clears his throat then adds "If you want."

I look up at him skeptically.

Since when do princesses not want an extravagant welcome?