Bound To You

Chapter #5

¤¤¤~Princess Isabelle Almira~¤¤¤

I stand there dumstruck like a deer caught in headlight and stare wide eyed at the people standing in front of me and they do the same. The full of life hall in now dead silent while I snap out of my reverie and move forward to where father is standing.

Why am I even behaving like this?

I am a princess and very soon going to be a queen, so might as well act as one before embarrassing my father or myself.

So I put on a gentle smile and walk confidently through the crowd of people with my head held high as I move smoothly through people with the lady-like grace I have been taught all my life.

I spot father at the front of all smiling at me and I don't dare look anywhere else. As I reach him he gently kisses my forehead and I smile up at him.

"I see you're here, took you long enough." he says.

"No I was just strolling in the garden." I reply gently.

"Oh yes my child, even that garden won't be the same after you."

Way to go father, way to lift up my mood.

I shake my head pleading him to stop talking about me leaving him. A look of understanding crosses his face and he nods.

"So, are you ready dear?" he asks.

I nervously look back at the people in the hall. The laughter and the talking has started but many of them are still looking at me. And I look back at father and gently nod once. He again smiles one of his proud smiles amd takes my hand into his while we both face the crowd, and starts speaking:

"As you all know that today our princess has turned eighteen; a righteous age for her to get married." there are nods and even cheers. And father goes on:

"And all of you have been invited to be part of this royal ceremony. So what are we waiting for? Lets start the ceremony by giving the southern lands of arcadia to my princess as a gift." and this gets cheers from all around. And for me, I almost get a whiplash. I jerk my head towards him. Eyes wide and mouth hung open, while he simply smiles at me giving my shoulder a reassuring squeez. I wanted to protest but he didn't let me.

A scroll is brought to father and he offers that to me. I stand dumbstruck again to astounded to say anything. I gently shake my head. However; when I look up at him I see that its totally impossible for me to argue with him now.

I will negotiate the issue later.

I thought

Nevertheless, I bow down and gently take the scroll from his hands. Deafening cheers erupt all around we again face the crowd.

"So lets hope that the day goes well for our princess and lord bless her on this day and those which follow. With that said let the festivities begin!" he finished.

The music started and the hall started to bristle with excitement. People began talking and drinking. There were eating items displayed and with a diverse variety for eveyone to eat what they pleased. The performing groups started their performance and catching a lot of attention because of the talent.

I tried to smile and give out a relaxed posture but still I perked up when I felt someone watching me and when I looked around I always found everyone enjoying the feist. I tried to shake away the feeling reassuring myself that I am standing in hall full of people enjoying a celebratory feist so they ought to see and today being my birthday all the attention automatically diverts to me.

However, why in heavens wasn't anyone still not adressing the humongous elephant in the room!

Where was the freaking King? Not that I'm dying to see him or anything.

Sure you aren't, whisperes a small voice in my head, which I totally ignored.

My train of thoughts was broken when father took my hand in his and started leading towards the center because apparently it was time for the dancing. The first dance of the evening had to be mine. All the noise and music stopped and everyone quieted down, watching us with anticipation. Father and I moved through the crowds to the center of the dance floor and thats when the music started and it was a slow tune soothing me to the core. We danced and throughout I was looking up at father smiling. He too mirrored my expression.

"I know you might be wondering where the King is, since you haven't met him yet." yes I am. "Not at all." I said as red tinted my cheeks.

He smirked down at me, "You think I don't know you, my child?" my cheeks turned even more red, if that was even possible. And my father thought it was funny as he started to laugh.

"I sent him to rest after such a long journey, he didn't wanted to, said he didn't want yo miss the festivities, so I insisted that he should rest and then he can enjoy with his full strength back. He obliged but he will still be joining us in the feast." father explained.

I gave him a pointed look. "Did I ask for anyone of the details father?" though I was thankful he told me anyway, but father only guffawed.

We waltzed around the hall dancing with the mellow tune and after it finished eveyone seemed entranced.

I came back while the dancing continued. People came and wished me with the best of the wishes. When suddenly the bomb finally dropped. Because suddenly the guards at doors bellow: "Behold the King Stefan Westmoreland of Amaranth."

Sweet.

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Love,

Anaya💕