Not Just A Pretense

Chapter 3 - The First Date

Arielle's POV

Today is the day I finally meet Prince Edward. I haven't been able to stop shaking since this morning, and every so often, I have the urge to throw up. Never have I felt so uneasy. Well, once, but that was an entirely different circumstance.

Right now, I stand before a closed door, terrified to open it. Just beyond the threshold waits a man. Not just any man; a prince. He has power. He has the power to hurt me, and no one could possibly say anything against him. I want to run. I want the door to stay closed.

Louis, the butler, glances at me as he begins to open the door. My knees are shaking, but I try to stay calm as I enter the room. Prince Edward is standing at the window as we enter. He turns as Louis announces my presence.

"Announcing Duchess Arielle Laurent," Louis says as I curtsy. I can hear Prince Edward approach me, but I don't dare to lift my head.

"Thank you, Louis," he says quietly watching as Louis left the room. "You need not prostrate yourself in my presence, my lady." He offers his hand to me, so I take it as I slowly stand up straight.

The first thing I notice is how tall he is; I barely reach his shoulder. This man seems to tower over me, and I can feel myself shaking. I can only pray that he doesn't notice. With our hands clasped, I can feel warmth radiating from him. He wears a white button up shirt under a blue and white-striped sweater. He looks calm, but what I immediately notice is his eyes. Violet orbs bore into mine, and the world stopped. I never would have believed eyes could be so kind.

"Would you care for tea?" His voice was rich and soothing. I nodded and he led me to the couch. Louis entered the room a moment later with a tray of tea and cakes. We sit in a rather...uncomfortable silence as we take our tea.

"Thank you," I say meekly as I accept the tea.

"It is my pleasure, my lady." Louis bows as he leaves once again.

"I must confess, my lady, I find your beauty captivating. However, I have begun to perceive your absence in court. How is it that a flower such as yourself have managed to stay hidden for so long?"

"You flatter me, your majesty." I give a small smile. "My absence in court has been due to several unforeseen circumstances, and I have been unable to attend as much as I would like."

He nodded as he sipped his tea. "I don't think we have ever been properly introduced. I admit I have seen you from across the ballroom."

"I would say I have as well, however that statement seems a little redundant; you always seem to be the center of attention at any function," I give a slight chuckle before quickly silencing myself. Oh no. I don't think he found that funny. I panic for a moment, before I hear him chuckle as well.

"That seems like an appropriate observation, though I wish it wasn't true." He gives me a smile, and I can feel my anxiety melt away. I feel myself once again getting lost in his eyes, so I quickly look away. That wasn't the best idea, because I caught sight of the garden outside of the window.

"I often wish that my position would allow me to walk through court as a mere observer," he mutters under his breath, drawing my attention away from the garden. He must have caught my gaze, because he says, "would you care for a stroll in the garden?" He stood and extended his arm.

"If you insist, your majesty," I stood and took the arm he offered me. He led me from the sitting room out to the garden. It was better than I could have imagined. About a year ago I visited the palace for a ball, but I spent most of my time here in the garden. It was lovely. Every color rose one could possibly think of was in full bloom, beautiful fountains were placed in different sections, and the smell of nectar hangs faintly in the air. It's heaven.