The Bride

Chapter 4

     "The Prince, " the butler bows and steps aside. I look around the other girls, and that's when I see him. The Prince steps out of the hallway, his perfect teeth forming a grin that makes my heart melt.

     He's about the same height as I am, standing a five-foot-nine-and-a-half. His hair is the color of chocolate, and it's a bit shaggy, but in a handsome way. His deep brown eyes make him seem innocent and beautiful. He also had a whisper if a mustache, and you'd think that wouldn't seem very handsome, but that just completed his look. His tan skin made mine look very pale in contrast, and I suddenly became very self-concious. He was just so handsome, I couldn't tear my eyes away from his perfect face. I hope he didn't notice me staring.

     He decends the stairs as he says, "Hello, ladies. It's very nice to meet you, I'm glad you could all make it," he looks at all of us expectantly when he reaches us. "No need to bow," he adds. We all quickly get to curtsying. He laughs, but I see that his eyes weren't meeting ours... he was looking a bit below our eyes in fact. We all quickly straighten up, and I could see a flash of something in his eyes that I couldn't quite place. "Now, I'm sure you are all familiar with my name," he says.

     I suddenly realize that I'm not quite sure of what his name actually is. I guess I've been referring to him as "the Prince" this whole time. The girls next to me -number eight- speaks up for the first time since she's been here.

     "Prince Ethan II" she says in a quiet, but firm voice.

     "That's right...what's your name, might I ask?" Prince Ethan asks, flashing a kind smile.

     "My number is eight," she replies in the same tone.

     "Number?" The Prince repeats with a look of confusion on his face. "Bruce, I thought we were going to be more hospitable than that!" Prince Ethan tells the butler who brought us here.

     "But sir, you said..."

     "Never mind that Bruce, I forgive you, " the Prince says with the wave of his hand. "Now, tell me your real name, please"

     "My name is Seleste, your Highness" Seleste says as she curtsies again.

     "Very nice to meet you, Seleste, " Prince Ethan says as he takes her hand and kisses the back of it. "Now, I'm going to go down the line, and I want each of you to tell me your names" he informs the rest of us in line.

     When he gets to me, I can barely stutter out my name.

     "My name is A-Arielle," I manage to get out as I flash him an award-winning smile.

     He looks me up and down as he says, "Ah, Arielle. What a beautiful name..." he looks me up and down a second time, then kisses the back of my hand.

     Once he's done, he then goes and studies us. Pausing on me, I make sure to smile at him once more. He's so handsome. And so kind! He took the time to get to know our names, how sweet was that? Sure, he kind of checked me out a bit, but really, he was just looking for a good Queen. He can't afford a mistake.

     "Dessa, Laurie, and Waverly, I'm afraid I'm going to have to let you go. It's nothing personal, I assure you. You understand. Your designated handsmaid will show you out. It was a pleasure to meet you," Prince Ethan informed them. Three women stepped out of line, curtsied, and went to leave. As they walked to the door, I noticed that one had a flat chest, one was over-weight, and the last one had very short legs. I wondered if that had anything to do with why the Prince had let them go. As soon as I had that thought, I pushed it away. Prince Ethan was kind and caring, of course he didn't care about looks! It was just a coincidence that those girls looked the way they did and where let go. They where actually very pretty, to me at least.

     "Now, Llana, Danielle, Rachel, Kristie, and Sandie, while I don't think you have what it takes to be Queen just yet, I have other opportunities for you to serve your Kingdom in my palace, if you'll accept," he tells the other girls besides Seleste and I. The other girls nodded in anticipation. They'd do anything to please the Prince.

     "Excellent," he says as a wide smiles crosses his face. "Bruce will tell you more of what you have in store here at the palace. Bruce?"

     "Yes, sir. Follow me, ladies," and as Bruce leads the other girls out of the room, I hear Sandie ask the butler, "My mom actually works in the palace. Do you think I'd get to see her?" And I hear Bruce's faint response, "That's quite possible, miss"

     As I look around, I realize it's just me and Seleste who where left.

     "Seleste, Arielle, this is gonna be the toughest decision I'll ever have to make," he smiles at the both of us. "One of you is going to be the next queen..." he pauses, "And my bride"

     I can't help but grin like a maniac when he says that. While I was smiling, the strap of my dress slips off of my shoulder. I hoped the Prince wouldn't notice, and I could fix it before he did. What happened next suprised me though, as he smiled, and fixed my strap for me.

     "Seleste," he begins and I can't help but feel a pang of sadness. He did choose the blonde chick. "Seleste, you're a wonderful young lady, and I think you'd make a very fine Queen," he places his hand on her shoulder.

     "But, I'm afraid my choice is Arielle" he turns and returns the award-winning smile that I gave him just minutes ago. Seleste and I both gasp in astonishment.

     "Seleste, if you'd like to join Bruce and the other ladies, I'll be sure to give you another very honourable job inside the palace"

     Seleste simply nods, and turns to go. Just before she leaves though, she suprises me by giving me a hug. I return the hug, very confused. Just before she pulls apart she whispers in my ear, "Slut... " then leaves the room. I just looked after her still confused. The Prince pulls me back to him by saying,

     "Arielle, it looks like you will be my bride," he tells me, touching my arms. He checks me out one last time, and I see that same glimmer in his eyes that I saw earlier. He pulls me closer, and I swear I could feel something in his trousers...

     "Now, if you'll excuse me," his face turns pale, as he tells me before he runs off in the direction of the lavatory. As I was left there to wonder about everything that just happened, one thought was left in my mind.

     I was his Bride.