I walked down the now candlelit hall, with my ladies in waiting by my side. Naya, Cindy, Elena and Sahara. I was led down the hall by a guard, to a grand archway. The trumpets sounded once more that evening to announce my arrival to the rest of the noblemen and women of court who had gathered to celebrate.
Charles was standing next to Francis, when he turned his head and eyed me up and down. He looked into my eyes with what seemed like longing and grinned.
On the other side of him stood another man, whom I did not recognize. He was tall and had dark blonde hair, with a beard and dazzling blue eyes which were looking at me with the same intent as Charles' eyes were. I then spotted Lord Condé, whom I briefly met on my way here, speaking to Mary. He craned his neck in my direction and gave me a warm smile.
All eyes turned so they were on me, as I walked down the steps of the ballroom floor. There was subdued chatter amongst the crowd, as noblewomen eyed my gown while the noblemen most likely visualized what was underneath my gown.
Catherine, the queen mother, met me at the bottom of the steps.
"My noble guests, I present to you Princess Delara II of Persia. We, my sons and I, have a special announcement to make." She said with a modest smile as Francis stepped forwards, pulling Charles along with him, placing him comfortably next to me.
"My younger brother, Charles and dear Delara here will be married!" Francis exclaimed.
There was a jolt of applause and more cheering in the crowd. Charles looked at me, still not having conversed alone together yet, and grabbed my hand. He turned me around to face him and pulled my small hand to his lips and brushed them across it.
"Please everyone, have fun, drink, eat! Join my brother, the future King, and his future Queen and let us dance before the night is over!" Francis happily shouted at the crowd.
Couples emerged onto the gleaming dance floor and I noticed that Charles was guiding me there to join them.
We danced, both of us matching the invigorating energy of the candle lit room.
"That was a tad bit dramatic of an announcement, don't you think?" I joked.
"Yes just a little bit." He replied with a smiled.
"Princess, would you care to join me in my room for dinner?" Charles asked politely.
"Well.. um.. I-" I started.
"It would get you away from this horrid ball" he interrupted.
I stifled my laughter.
"Yes, I would absolutely love that." I said.
He pulled me by my hand up along the stairs and announced that we were retiring to our chambers for respite until the wedding. Charles and I ran through the hallways, while i tried to restrain my laughter once again. I felt free, with my hair flowing freely as it had fallen out of its coiffure and my gown flying around me in every direction.
We approached the doors to his chambers, which were opened by a giant guard and Charles led me inside. The table was already set up with some exquisite silver tableware and a piece of white silk draped over the table.
"Our meal will be ready in a while, why don't you sit down?" Charles motioned to the dining chair he just pulled out for me.
"Okay- but, Charles, can we talk? About this whole... marriage thing?" I asked nervously. I looked down and played with my fingers, not knowing how to broach the subject. Even though he was looking at me with kindness in his face, urging me to go on, I was still hesitant.
"Would you truly be happy if you were to marry me? Or would you resort to other means of... satisfaction?" I asked.
"In all honesty, it wasn't my idea. Any of this. But when I first saw you, I..." he struggled.
"You what?" I asked, hopefully.
"I couldn't keep my eyes off you. I want to get to know you. I want to know you're hobbies, skills, passions. Everything. I want you." He said and pulled me closer.
"I had tunnel vision. Yes, at first I was not so pleased being somewhat forced to marry- but when I saw you I knew you were different. The very air that surrounds you changes with your every breath. I want to know you." He reassured.
My stomach and chest fluttered. He then kissed my forehead and my nose, until he got to my lips. We stood there for a couple of seconds breathing against each other, both of us knowing what the other was thinking, before caved in and pressed his lips against mine.
Just at that moment a servant walked into the room with plates of hot food, making us quickly push away from each other.
"Please, help yourself " He insisted. He pulled out a chair from the table. It was not highly improper for us to be together, since his actual sleeping quarters were through another door, and we were definitely to be married anyway. Still, almost being caught made me nervous.
After we finished eating, he led me further into his quarters, to his bed. Nothing happened that night, we simply spent a long, laughter filled night in each others arms.
Needless to say I was beginning to develop feelings for him.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
