The Prince's Princess

Chapter Four

A/N Sorry for the long wait guys! This is only short filler because I've been very busy lately, but I will start uploading regularly again soon! Thank you for your patience x

~~

After my dance with the Prince, I quickly curtsy to him as the crowd erupted in applause, and excused myself to get some fresh air.
I swiftly walked straight passed a still amazed looking Carter, who had been standing with some other village children. With haste, I went towards two doors, that from what the windows told me, opened up into the gardens.

The doors open before I can touch them, as two guards gracefully swoop in front of me to open them. I bow my head slightly to them as I walk past, a polite smile on my face, however still feeling uncomfortable from the previous event. As I feel the cold rush of the night air wash across my face I instantly feel better.

The garden is beautiful, and has been set up with lanterns and I can see various couples sauntering about the grounds, looking at the pretty flowers and plants.
I spot a stone bench, which is being shaded by a large, old willow tree. I keep my head down as to not be recognised by the village people who are continuously walking through the doors and entering into the gardens; being questioned of my relationship with the Prince is not something I would like to experience at present.

There's something I can't put my finger on about the royal family, but I'm completely unaware as to what it is. Firstly with the Prince being in the woods at such a late hour, with no one accompanying him, then with the queens odd behaviour tonight, and now with the Prince asking me to share a dance with him in front of the entire village? It just doesn't-

"Well look who it is" I hear the voice of Derek and my thoughts are discarded. And I finally focus on the royal gardens glowing in the white wash of moonlight. I turn quickly at the sound of his low but familiar voice to see him sitting down next to me on the bench, "If it isn't the Princess herself".

I give him a playful glare and hide my head in my hands as he starts to smirk slightly.

"Please, can we talk about something else" I sigh into my hands, with no amount of humour in my voice and a faint blush rising to my cheeks. And with that I feel Derek's large hand on my back as he rubs up and down whilst shifting closer towards me on the bench.

"Hey.. what's wrong?" He questions, but I just shake my head into my hands because not even I truly understand myself.
"Did he say something to you?" Derek interrogates again, but this time a lot firmer and his hand is now static on my back. I look up slowly at him, to be met with his soft brown eyes which are filled with concern and also, anger?

"No, not at all. The Prince is not to be blamed" I explain to him, but his face doesn't soften, it even looks to get angrier, but he looks away before I can fully calculate it. His hand comes away from my back as he rests his elbows on his knees, intertwining his hands in front of him. I observe him as his eyebrows furrow drastically as if he's angry, but also confused or even betrayed?

"What do you see in him?" He asks so softly I have trouble hearing him although we are in such close proximity, our legs are touching as we're sat on this stone bench.

"Excuse me?" I ask politely, not knowing if I had heard his question accurately.

"What do you see in the Prince?" He repeats, but confidently this time. His gaze turns towards me again, but this time it's different.. as he's looking straight through me, like I'm a ghost that he's not trying to contact.

I look down at my intertwined hands in my lap as my thumbs twirl around each other in angst. "I-I'm not truly sure," I answer truthfully with a shrug of my shoulders "I've only met him once before".
I hear him huff beside me, and my sight turns to him as a small sad smile is placed on his lips as he looks forward.

"Just be careful of him, I know he isn't as kind as everyone thinks" Derek elaborates, as his eyes travel across the gardens before he shakes his head.

What could he possibly mean? How does he know? I had a feeling that Derek didn't particularly like the Royals but how would he know this information, and be so sure of it?

"But, enough of this, would you like to go back inside?" Derek suggests as his hand grabs mine, which is still resting on my lap. This gesture brings me back from my thoughts as I feel his hand squeeze mine reassuringly. "I'm sure Carter is getting up to mischief in some way or another" He laughs lightly and so do I at the thought of his clumsy-self spilling a drink on or duke or duchess.

A small smile passes my lips, still nervous and confused by his last statement about the Prince, but, I try not to dwell as I nod quickly and he gestures his arm out for me to hold as we walk back inside to the ball.