Gardenia Lockwood: A GATE Tale

Unwanted Arrangements

  I shot up at the sound of an obnoxiously loud knock. My blonde locks were a mess, and I slowly rolled out of my queen sized bed. Pushing the covers aside.

"Gardenia." My dad said sternly from the other side of the door. I didn't answer right away, since I was tired. "Gardenia!" He said louder.

I opened the door slowly, staring at him tiredly. "What?"

He sighed, his facial expression full of irritation. "You were supposed to be up an hour ago."

I glanced back at the clock on my wall, seeing that he was right. My golden gaze returned to him as I spoke. "I was tired. In fact, I'm still tired."

"When I give you a time to get up, you get up. We have big plans today, and I dont need you cooped up in your bedroom. Go put on a nice dress and come down for breakfast."

I scratched my ear lightly, thinking of what we could possibly have planned. I dont recall ever being told about something to do today. "Wait..what are we doing?"

"You will see." He said, turning and leaving me alone.

I crossed my arms, not satisfied with the answer. With my foot I pushed my bedroom door closed. 

The grey wardrobe by my bed held all of my dresses. I pulled open the doors and stared at my collection. After a few minutes I pulled out a simple royal blue dress. It has a sweetheart neckline, a black ribbon around the waist, and the blue fabric flows at the hips. I pulled out my strappy black heels, and closed the wardrobe.

  A silver necklace that resided on my desk was now fastened around my neck. I sat on my bed, putting my shoes on, and then exiting my room.

When I arrived in the dining room, my father was already sitting. He wasn't alone though. A family of four was seated at the table as well. A mom, dad, and two sons. One son looked to be in his twenties, the other looked to be around eleven.

  "Gardenia..dont just stare. Have a seat." My father said, gesturing to the empty chair across from the older son.

I glared at him, approaching the empty seat and taking it. The food wouldn't be out for awhile, I knew he woul want to chat first. My eyes wandered over our four guests. I closely observed them, not recognizing them from our kingdom.

"Who are these people?" I asked bluntly, staring at my dad.

"Gardenia, that is not the way to address fellow nobility. This is Earl Tiberius Clermont, his wife Scarlett Clermont, their eldest son Seth Clermont, and their youngest son Luis Clermont."

I looked back over at the family. Earls? That is when I recognized the name, Clermont. Tiberius Clermont is the Earl of my kingdom. I cant believe  I didnt bother to remember that.

"My apologies. Hello to you all." I said, nodding at them.

"It's a pleasure, princess Gardenia." Tiberius said.

I looked back over to my dad. The Clermonts had to be here for some reason. I was clearly not notified why though, which is incredibley annoying. "Father." I said, staring.

"What is it, Gardenia?" He said, staring back with that fake smile of his.

"May I ask why the Clermonts are dining with us?" I asked, being polite in front of the guests.

The maids entered the room with breakfast, causing my father to avoid answering the question.

We all dined for about an hour. By now I just wanted to crawl back into bed and sleep. How were these people not bored?