Grant walks down the staircase towards the sounds emitting from the dining hall. His parents were having guests over to bid him farewell and good tidings on his new marriage. He walks towards the sound and stands in the doorway, watching everyone else as they laugh over wine and a small feast. His father glances up at him and rises from his seat at the head of the table, a grin plastered on his face. He raises a goblet of wine in a toast. Everyone turns their head and spots Grant standing in the doorway shyly. The king clears his throat and beckons for his son to come forward. Grant slowly walks around the table to stand at his father's side.
"I'd like to propose a toast," he begins. "to my son, Grant, who is now of age today and will be leaving us today in order to meet his soon-to-be-bride. I'm not naming her in case she decides to back out." He releases a hearty laugh which is followed by quieter chuckles from the guests. People clink their goblets together and take a large drink. Grant stands still, waiting for his father to allow him to be seated. The king gestures towards the seat to his right. "Please sit, Prince Grant." Grant nods his head, pulls the chair out, and sits down at his father's side. His mother is beaming at him, her auburn hair piled high on her head.
Grant looks around at the others seated at the table. One guest caught his eye. Princess Juniper of Oxford. Soon to be a Duchess of Haxford. Next to her sits her fiancee, the Duke of Haxford. Juniper was dressed profoundly. She wore a tight royal purple dress, her bosom discreetly on display, but no other man dared to look with the Duke so close at hand. Juniper sends a warm kind smile Grant's way, raising her glass to him as her fiancee turns away to talk to another diplomat from another kingdom. Grant begins to slowly eats his potatoes, glad that they were still warm.
"So, Grant," his mother says, grasping his attention. Grant looks up at her as she continues, "Are you excited for your journey?" His eyes flicker over to his father, who stares at him with a frightening look. Grant clears his throat, taking a small drink from his cup.
"Very much so, Mother. I cannot wait to meet my bride," he lies through his teeth, forcing a smile upon his face. He silently goes back to eating his food. Once he finished his food, he rises to his feet, tossing his napkin into his plate. He pushes in the chair and gives a bow to his parents. He turns and bows the other guests, showing them respect. "I'd like to thank you all for coming, but I am afraid that I must depart now." The king and queen rise from their chairs, tailing him as he walks out. The guests also followed them.
Grant leads the large group outside, where his carriage sits, Maverick perched on the drivers' seat. The horses neigh as he passes. He grasps the handle and looks back at the small crowd that had formed outside of the castle. His mother stepped forward, holding a lavender box in her hands. Grant takes it from her, a small smile playing on his face. He takes the lid off and stares down at a pair of white gloves. He looks back at his mother, who's smile had only grown. She steps closer to him and whispers in his ear, "These are for when you meet Queen Sarah. In her kingdom, it is a tradition that the suitor of any of the royal famly wears pristine white gloves when first shaking hands. They represent purity and cleanliness. Don't put them on until you are near the castle."
Grant nods his head and hugs his mother. "I love you." She steps back, a confused smile on her face.
"And I, you, Grant." She walks back over to her husband and he takes her hand in his. Grant tips his head to the audience and makes his way to the carriage door again.
"Wait!" a voice shouts, causing Grant to freeze. He turns towards the voice and sees someone making their way through the crowd towards him. Princess Juniper of Oxford came forth, holding her dress tightly in her hands, her long blonde hair flying freely in the summer breeze. The king and queen watch as she walks by them towards their son. Grant tosses the box of gloves into the carriage and walks to meet the princess halfway. Juniper drops the skirt of her dress and wraps her arms around Grant's neck as he picks her up in his arms.
Her blonde hair tickles his face, making him want to squeeze her tighter. He places her on her feet gently and then bows before her, as if the hug had not happened. "Princess Juniper," he greets jokingly. She smiles at his playfullness and curtsies for him.
"Prince Grant," she replies, a smirk on her face. They both rise to their full height again as they start laughing. Grant takes Juniper in his arms again, lifting her off of her feet. "It is so good to see you, my dear friend!" she shouts as Grant sets her down again.
"It is good to see you as well, June," he replies happily. She's so beautiful. Why couldn't she be the one that I was suppose to marry? He thinks to himself as she comes closer to him.
"Who's the lucky lady?" Grant sighs heavily and gazes into Juniper's caramel brown eyes, nearly getting lost in them. He takes her hands in his.
"I am to wed Queen Sarah of Elmore." Juniper's face softens and falls slowly as she takes in the new information. She gives him a wider smile, clearly forced.
"Congratulations, Grant, I hope that you will win over her heart the way you won mine." She kisses his cheek and walks back over to stand with the Duke. Was that a confession? The thought occurs to him as he walks to the carriage, touching his cheek gingerly. Was she trying to tell me that she loved me? The thoughts continued to befuddle him as Maverick started to drive the horses down the road, away from his kingdom, his home.
