IMPRESS. [Book 1]

Chapter Eighty-Two: Final Stage, IMPRESS. (p.3)

IMPRESS.

A/N: The 100th part of IMPRESS and also the longest ever! Can't believe it!! Thank you to everyone whose been reading this book over the years and as of recently! Also, thank you to those who have already voted for my book in the Fiction Awards 2019 it means so much! I appreciate yall and hope you enjoy this loooong, dramatic chapter! Don't forget to vote :)

PS. this chapter may have a few errors but I'm in the process of fixing them!

Song of the Chapter: Seal - Kiss From A Rose

Chapter Eighty-Two: Final Stage, IMPRESS.

PART 3.

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Natalya's POV~

The minute I walked in, the venue fell silent.

You could have heard a pin drop.

Was it that hard for people to process that Preston wasn't by my side for once? I don't recall ever hearing a law that forbids women from attending events alone whilst their partners are absent? And if I'm wrong, what a bullshit rule. Preston had good reasons for being absent and even left an apologetic note in my room stating how he had some quick business that needed to be taken care of back in the Shadowlands.

People will have to get over it because I'm not going anywhere, and besides, Pres said he would try and make it for the coronation.

As I awkwardly sat in the area that had been reserved for myself and Preston, I finally realised something. The people of Asten were not gaping at me because I was by myself, no, they were staring because their future King was.

When I narrowed my eyes in the direction of the royal family and met Zac's burning brown eyes, I threw my head back sighing and rolling my damn eyes. That boy will never get the memo, will he? He needs to let me go for the greater good.

I sent him an uncomfortable smile that screamed stop staring at me and bowed my head apologetically for being late. After a period of pleadingly looking back at Zac so that he'd carry on with IMPRESS, he eventually felt my discomfort from afar and tore his eyes away from mine.

Thanking the Gods, I smiled humouredly when I saw Cathryn staring at her brother as if he had well and truly lost the plot. The amusement in my smile faded when Xander came into sight. He lifted his hand into the air and gave a wave of acknowledgement. Most may have seen it as a respectful gesture but I could see that smirk playing on his face, clear as day, Xander was trying to snake his way into my head. Trying to remind me that his proposal still stood.