Why Did I Get Involved?

Ch. 18 The Announcement

"You dare say that in my presence!" Xander shouted in a menacing tone. Everyone shivered in fear, while Tierra stood there shocked, as she has never seen him blow his fuse. He quickly turned back to Tierra with a smile, "let's go have a chat over there."

Tierra didn't even try, as she was dragged away by him.

"Don't let them get to you, you work harder than anyone else I know. They are just jealous of how pretty you look with how much sweets you eat."

So your saying I should be fat?! You didn't even deny the fact that I eat a lot of sweets!

Tierra's eye started to twitch as she just kept looking up at him. She swore her IQ was getting lower the more days she spent with him, which was practically everyday.

But she started to warm up to the fact that he stood up for her. "You're going to pick a fiance today?"

"What do you mean pick? She's already chosen, it's just to announce our engagement!" He said beaming.

She felt a bad premonition creeping into her heart, as he said it. "Oh, I got to go greet other guests, I'll come to find you a little later!" He waved and walked towards the crowd.

It can't be her.... could it? She just always thought of it as a joke.... But what it really was her? How will she leave???

The bad feeling earlier grew stronger, as she watched his retreating back. As time flew by with Tierra eating more sweets, and having small chatter with Shelby and her brother, the king finally got up on stage.

"I'd like to thank everyone for coming here today, as it is my son's birthday! But today we will also be announcing his future wife or fiance!" Everyone clapped in response to the news.

Before the news was announced, Tierra quickly looked around and spotted her parents. They had guilty expressions when looking up at the king currently announcing. "-Tierra Ferric! My 'Ole buddies genius daughter."

POWWWW-

Tierra's mind exploded. And before she knew it, all the noble girls were throwing hostile glares at her once again. But Shelby just turned all smiley and patted her shoulder in congratulation.

Is that why her parents were looking guilty?!

She looked back up to the front, but was greeted with a grinning prince in front of her. His hand was held out towards her direction. She felt conflicted, weren't they supposed to get her opinion on this too???

But to not disrespect the royal family, she gracefully accepted Xander's request as they walked to the center, and got into a dancing position. The king made a hand signal, and the instrumental started to play as they began to dance, as well as other couples who joined in along the way.

"Why did i not get word of this?" Tierra glared at him, both still continuing to glide across the floor.

"I told you, can't remember? I tell you almost everyday!" He said looking a little disappointed. Tierra thought for a moment....

Your gonna be my fiance anyway!

Your already considered mine, as I claimed you first.

Just wait a bit longer.

......

These are words he said everyday, so how could she take them seriously?!?!?

She didn't bother arguing with him anymore, and so they danced the night away.

But who knew that the days after that were torture for her.....

BAMMMM-

Tierra slammed her door shut in rage. "I've practiced my courtesy to perfection, what do you mean I'm doing it all wrong?!"

"Just because I'm now the fiance I have to relearn everything again?! How am I supposed to do that when they say everything I do is wrong!" Wasn't she the genius??? Why were they treating her like a five year old!

Tierra continued to fume her heart out until there was a knock on the door.

"Yes?!"

"It's me master.... I've come with news."

Tierra composed herself and opened the door.

"What news Shelby?" Shelby went straight to the point because her master didn't look fully stable.

"I 'heard' that in five years time you will be traveling through the four kingdoms to gain knowledge of the outside world, before you get married to the prince." Shelby stated her knowledge obediently.

......... They're already talking about five years from now?!

"Dismiss! Keep your ears open for more news. That's all!" Tierra waved her hand and quickly closed the door before she would start taking out her anger on poor Shelby.

Little did Tierra know that those five years came faster than anything else has in her entire two lifetimes. Consisting of daily training on queen duties, she became possessed like a robot. Need a smile? A fake one will do. Sweet talking? Sugar coating is fine. Friends? Oh what friends? Day by day it was like her consciousness was drifting away by stress and anger. The only way she had a will was her training, eating, and her little talks with her brother, Shelby, and the prince if they had enough time. Xander has been stuck with more lessons and duties ever since the announcement, as well as Tierra herself.

"Tierra, I can tell your getting stressed out... you should take a break once in a while....."

Tierra, sighed in response to Levi's remark. "Even if I try, they will tell me force me to practice again...." As the room got silent, sudden clacking sounds could be heard getting closer and closer.

"Tierra, my fiance!" Xander came running through the doors, and gave her a tight hug.

"Dumb prince, get off," she scoffed as she pried his hands off her. If you couldn't tell, she still never put any manners in for the prince. Xander pouted and sat on the couch right next to Tierra.

"Ahem-!.... hello Xander...." Levi said coughing to get his attention.

"Oh! Sorry Levi, I didn't see you there."

Of course you didn't see me, you've been looking at my sister the entire time!

Levi could only shake his head and grieve at the lovestruck prince.

Crazy what love can do to you...... I'm never gonna be like that... gee....

"I'm free right now, want to go out for some dinner?" Xander asked with a wagging tail.

Tierra sighed and reluctantly agreed since this is a time they can finally catch up. Levi once again shook his head, and quietly dismissed himself from the two.

"Let's go-!" Xander grabbed Tierra's hand and almost skipped out of the room, if not for Tierra scolding him for his behavior.

Tierra glared at their intertwined hands for a moment, before she felt a surge of warmth flood into her heart, and let him drag her away for the umpteenth time.

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-Wolferric