The Protected (Book 2)

Chapter 22: Letter

We found Alana and had informed her of our little incident. If someone did see the prince and I kiss in the library then we were in trouble. I blushed profusely as I explained our situation to the princess who only laughed. Mathew on the other hand still looked proud that he had managed to get me to kiss him back. I had to get him to stop and fix his hair before anyone connected the messy hair to our session.

I decided to keep a distance from Mathew until Alana found out more. I couldn't risk any more accidents. Avoiding Mathew was the struggle. He was determined to follow me around. I had to use one of the castle's secret tunnels Alana had shown us on our tour on our first day here to hide from him.

I noticed the servants being very busy the past few days. I suppose the royal family might have a visitor soon.

"Clarissa!" Alana's familiar voice cried out.

I turned to find the princess making her way.

"So you've found her!" Mathew's voice followed as he came into view a few steps behind her.

Oh god, there was no escape.

He put his hands up in surrender. "Don't worry, I am not following you. We have news for you."

I had a bad feeling.

"Is there talk about..."

The prince shook his head. "More about us." He motioned between himself and Alana.

I did not know how to perceive that.

Noticing my confused face, Mathew looked at Alana for help. She looked uncomfortable before speaking. "As you know, my father gave us two weeks to get to know each other before we get married."

They still had a week. Could the king have brought the date sooner? My heart stopped just thinking about it. At this moment I really hoped the two would find away around the wedding. The problem was that the treaty was made by their parents, the only people able to break it we're the people that made it. That meant that the prince and princess had their hands tied.

"Well..." she continued. "My father wants to hold a ball for the prince and I so that he would get to meet some of the officials. He needs to know our court before we, um-- tie the knot."

That was why the workers have been so busy the past few days.

It was all getting finalized. There was nothing any of us could do that would not end poorly. We couldn't stop this wedding.

"I've spoken to my parents multiple times before, they will not change their mind about the wedding," Alana explained. So she has tried.

Mathew scratched his head. "My parents asked me if I wanted to get married to you... I felt like I needed to agree so I wouldn't let anyone down. I had no feelings towards anyone to change my mind at the time. I guess my answer came too late."

I felt blood rushing towards my cheeks.

Alana's head snapped fast in his direction. "They gave you a choice?"

Mathew nodded slowly. Of course I knew my king and queen were fair. They would never force anyone, especially their son into doing something they did not want to.

"Would they... would they agree to renegotiate if they knew you had changed your mind?" She asked filled with hope.

The prince gave a weary look. "It would make my kingdom look poor in front of yours."