The Red Princess

Part 21

Natalia was in her chambers, being forced to get ready for the grand welcome of King Anthony and Prince Erik. She was lost, she just wanted to be with Steven and there was no news from him. Logan was still sick, couldn't testify for Loki's evilness, and that left Natalia alone in her battle.

"Come my princess, the king awaits" Lilian said.

Natalia was dressed in a pale gown, her hair set up and loose on her back, her eyes dim with all the crying, yet she looked extremely beautiful.

She nodded and stepped out with Lilian, tired of fighting with her father and his queen.

"Ah! Here comes my daughter. Gentleman, princess Natalia" he said with a smile.

Natalia looked up and found two men standing by her father.

Prince Erik stood on the left, tall, with a broad figure, he stood with a smile.

While King Anthony stood on the right. Despite his age, he was definitely one of the most handsome man Natalia had ever seen. With intense brown eyes that were shining as he smirked.

"Proud to finally meet you, Princess." Prince Erik took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles, "The talk of your beauty had us all captive. Must say, all the talk wasn't even close to how beautiful you actually are" he said.

Natalia couldn't even force a reply out, she was hiding a storm inside her heart, that may burst if she tried to interact.

When he moved back, King Anthony moved forward, and moved around her in a circle.

"Hair as red as flames" he said touching her hair, "skin as smooth as silk, soft as wool, white as snow" he touched her cheek, gently caressing it, "lips as gentle and as colorful as a newly blossomed rose" his thumb brushed her lips, and she looked at him in anger, "big beautiful emerald eyes, like a sea to drown into" he said, "you are exactly the girl in poems I read, except, you are even more beautiful ".

"Thank you, your grace" Natalia forced herself to reply.

"King Nicholas" King Anthony turned, "how are we to decide whom she is to marry? " he asked.

"Well, the idea was.. For her to decide, but.. Dear king, the princess is still a child at heart, unable to make the right decisions. " her father replied and she looked at him in anger, "So, I think the matter is now in my and the queens hand"

"No, no, fellow king. " King Anthony shook his head, "Well, to be honest, none of us is completely worthy or your daughter. I might match her in looks but my age, well" he sighed, "Anyways, if you are open to suggestions, I have one".

"Of course, please, enlighten us" King Nicholas said enthusiastically.

"Very well, you see fellow king, to actually decide who is worthy, you should hold a tourney. Let us compete against each other. The winner, wins the hand of the beautiful princess". Anthony suggested.

"That's a great thought your grace" Queen Maria spoke, and King Nicholas smiled. Natalia looked away in disgust, now she would be won, as a price. Oh Steven! Where are you?

"There's a small problem though" Natalia finally spoke with bitter voice, everyone looked at her, "Prince Logan cannot compete yet, he is ill. And I think it would be unfair to him if we.. "

"Oh sweet princess" King Anthony interrupted her, "I have brought great healers with me. I am sure they can tend to his wounds and he would be ready for the tourney sooner then you think ".

Natalia bit her lip, this was ridiculous, and she couldn't do anything to stop it.

"I agree to the suggestion your grace" Prince Erik spoke, "I would want to compete for the hand of the most beautiful woman on earth " he looked at her with a tinge of lust, and she fumed.

"Very well then, let's summon King T'Challa. Prince Loki is already here. By the end of the carnival, we shall be ready for the great tourney. And all five suitors shall compete for the princess's hand. The winner would wed her the very next week. " King Nicholas announced, "Send the word in the kingdom, let the people know and celebrate, and suitors, you shall start preparing ".

Erik grinned, Anthony smirked, and Natalia was growing red with anger.

"If you would now excuse me, my lords" she said in a salty tone, "I need to return to my chambers".

"Take your rest, sweet princess" King Anthony said, "Your future husband would want you to stay happy and healthy when he wins".

The way he spoke, it seemed he was over confident that he would be victorious. She faked a smile, and turned to leave.

Logan would win easily from this old fool. She thought. But what then? She knew King T'Challa was very strong, tales of his bravery were heard in every kingdom. And Prince Erik was no less, he had great strength, his land famous for metal work and it was known he worked in mines. And then there was Loki. He was cunning, he had a mind they all didn't. He wouldn't even need strength to win, he would win with his evil ways.

Natalia hid her tears, she was scared to shed them now, scared that somebody else would wipe them, and she didn't want anyone to touch her tears. She would let that right remain with Steven. If she can't do more.

Where are you Steven? She thought, her heart hurting. If only she could just elope with him, and never return to this kingdom she called once home. Because it wasn't home anymore. Home is where you feel safe, where your rights are protected, where no one hurts you. And that wasn't true anymore.

Her true home was Steven's heart now. Only place she was safe, where no one would hurt her. Where she wasn't a weak princess, but a Queen.

******
A tourney it is then. Let's see what happens. Do give your reviews. And I know you miss Steven. But he'll be back soon. Don't worry😉
Romanogers ftw