Finding My Nightingale [UNDER CONSTRUCTION]

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

***William's POV***

I can't believe her! I growled and kicked up rocks as I headed back in town to fetch my horse.

All I was doing was trying to help her and she kicks me out! So much for trying to save her.

Whatever, if she wants to do this alone fine, ill leave her alone.

I jump on Henry and ride back to the castle. When I got there I noticed a carriage. It must me Lady Erica, I thought, they're early.

I give Henry to the stable boy and walk into the castle.

"There you are William!" My father's voice boomed.

"Oh, we've been worried sick, dear!" My mother comes and hugs me.

"I'm fine, mom." I sigh and quickly hug her back. "I see they have arrived."

"Oh, yes! Indeed, they have!" My mother perked up. "Lady Erica is with the twins. Oh isn't she a dear, honey?" She asks my father.

"That she is. She'll make a fine wife."

"Wait what?" I nearly choke.

"Oh, you knew this day was coming." He says to me.

"I don't even know the girl!"

"Well, you've got three weeks o get to know her then. She's in the twins play room. Make haste."

I storm up the stairs and straight to my room. This is absurd! I don't even know her and I'm engaged to marry her.

I bathe and slump onto my bed.

***

"William, honey, wake up its time for dinner. Everyone is waiting on you." My mother commands and leaves the room.

I groan and walk down stairs.

"Finally, my son, Prince William of Nightingale." Everyone stands and I make my way to my seat.

"William, let me introduce Lady Erica and her mother Lady Edith."

They curtsy and I bow. "It's nice to finally meet-- you." My eyes landed on Erica and I was starstruck, she had the most gorgeous brown hair and smooth ivory skin.

But what got me most was her eyes. That soft grey eyes stood out the most.

Because they reminded me of Elena.

Almost everything about this girl reminded me of Elena, in fact. The hair, the skin, the soft smile, everything.

"Dear." My mother kicked me softly under the table and I shock my head and looked at her dazed. I must have been staring. "I--I'm sorry. Where are my m-manners. Please have a seat, lets eat." I sit down beside my mother. She looked at me with concern I ignored it and looked at Lady Erica. "So Lady Erica--"

"Please, just Erica." She says, interrupting me.

"Erica. Has your stay been comfortable enough for you?"

She blushes and smiles softly. That was a difference between Erica and Elena. Elena was confident in everything she did. Erica seemed too shy.

She smiled at her mother who fidgeted all through dinner and looked nervous.

"Yes, thank you. Your sisters made sure I had everything I needed. They're beautiful girls." She smiles at them and they giggle at each other.

After everyone was finished with dinner, mother and Lady Edith excused themselves and they went to the library wing.

"Why don't you show Lady Erica the town?" My father suggested. Which was actually a command. I nodded and we left the dinning table and headed for Henry in silence.

"Do you mind riding on a horse instead of carriage?"

"I don't mind at all in fact I love riding horses." Another difference between the two. Elena was terrified to get on Henry.

We saddle up and ride to the the town.

The first place I stopped was the bakery.

I helped Erica down and walked into the bakery.

"Prince William!" John stared to bow, I laughed. "Hey John! Long time! Let me introduce Lady Erica."

"What a pleasure! You're such a beautiful young lady!" She blushes. "Thank you, kind sir."

"I'm showing her around town. I'm heading to the old bookstore next."

"Oh, I'm afraid he's closed down."

"Closed down? What do you mean?"

"Two big men came and closed him down. They took him in a carriage. I haven't seen him since."

I raced out of the bakery. "Prince William! What is the matter?" Erica chases after me.

"Let's ride over to the bookstore to make sure John wasn't just seeing things."

She nods and I pull her up and we ride to the bookstore.

I jump off, quickly help Erica down and we race into the store. I stopped, everything was in ruin. Books was everywhere.

"Oh no." I whispered. "It's true."

"This place is a disaster. Did you know the man who owned this store?"

"Elena." I whisper to myself. She's going to be devastated. We both knew that this was going to happen.

"What?"

"Come on. Lets get back, they're probably wondering where we are."

"Right." She nods and heads outside to the horse.

"William, is that you?" A voice calls but it was so faint that I could have imagined it. I looked around but I didn't hear another sound. I walk out and we ride back to the castle.