The Royal Arrangement

Chapter 5

I am so sorry that this is so much later than expected, but you can see why. I really did start this straight after I published the last chapter, but I got stuck on how to write what I wanted in this one.  I hope you enjoy it!

6/12/2018 (1303 words)

Ariana's POV

It turned out that it wasn't a dream. I really was going to have to marry the prince. And that is why I found myself in front of my full-length mirror, trying to pick out what the witch deemed as 'stylishly respectable'. In the end I decided that if they weren't going to respect what I wanted, then I could dress as I wanted to, and I would go downstairs at the last minute so that she couldn't tell me to change, otherwise we would be late. A quick fifteen minutes later I was running downstairs in a green top with some pretty detailing over it, black jeans and black ankle boots. I skidded to a stop right in front of my dad, who I noticed seemed to have a similar approach to me - rebellious but respectful - with a black dress shirt and some new jeans, but my step-mother was another story, with a knee-length pale pink dress and kitten heels that were the exact same colour. I saw her give me a once over with a scowl on her gold-digging face. Well I couldn't make myself care about what she thought, so she could some her disapproval up her behind. 

After an even faster thirty-minute car ride, I was staring up at intimidating black gates with golden carvings, they seemed to have been designed to make whoever came up to them fall to their knees at the pure grandeur of them. How the heck could someone make gates that daunting? My dad pulled up to the courtyard area, much to my step-mother's dismay, she had insisted that royalty never drove themselves anywhere until my good old dad had put his foot down, and were ushered from the car and through towering doors and walked us through the palace, I only managed to get a glimpse at the rich red and gold surroundings, it seemed that we were late and the king was not a fan of tardiness.

We were led down a corridor that was not as opulent as everything else we had seen, but still had golden ornaments and diamond covered chandeliers running down the length of it. The guards stopped at a door that had the words 'His Royal Majesty the King' carved into it. The doors opened and we walked inside with the wicked witch leading the way.

Sat before us, were the king and queen.

I cast my gaze to the floor in my determination not to co-operate with them and their mission to ruin my life. I heard a chair shuffle across the floor and delicate footsteps making their way across the carpeted room in our direction. A pair of feet in pretty, dark blue kitten heels stopped in front of me and the woman's hands grasped at mine, making me whip my head up. Bright green eyes looked directly into my blue ones. The queen squeezed my hands and her lips pulled up into a small smile as she me gave me a brief look over. A small amount of courage made its way through my body at this and I turned my head to the king. Big mistake. His heavy glare weighed me down where I was standing. My dad gave a small cough and the queen, still holding one of my hands, gently pulled me to the seats in front of the huge desk.

My stepmother had settled herself into the seat directly in front of the king, leaving a seat either side of her for my dad and I, so we took our places and waited for the king to start.

''Thank you for coming today.'' He said, sounding as if he had never thanked anyone in his life before. ''We are here to discuss this arrangement, and to make sure that it is agreeable to both parties. There will, however, be certain things that we will not be changing or bending. We must make sure that tradition and protocol is followed.'' He continued stuffily, though he put a lot of stress on the word 'not'. He then glanced over at the queen, with his face as still as though it was carved into the side of a rock. It seemed to be a signal, as she rose from her seat, grabbed a file laying on the desk and walked over to me.

''This is a file that contains information about my son-''she told me softly, but she was interrupted by my stepmother's harsh voice.

''I can take care of that, I will give it to her later.'' She said and held her hand out for the file.

''it is yours to look through as you wish, it will help you get to know him better.'' The queen continued, though slightly louder and a bit more forceful then before. The file was pressed into my hands and I gave her a weak smile in return.

Once she had returned to her chair, the king spoke again, ''Miss Willcombe, whilst your parents I make the necessary adjustments to this deal, why don't you and the queen go for a walk.'' His tone left no room for refusal, so I stood and walked out of the room quickly with the queen.

As soon as we were out of the doors, she turned to me,'' I am so sorry about him Ariana, he isn't the friendliest man you will come across, but he cares about our son and wants to make sure this goes well.''

I was startled at the informal way she spoke to me, the way the freaking queen spoke to me. ''Your Majest-'' I started.

''Please just call me Alessia, I hate being called by my title.'' She said kindly.

I did a double take. Why was she acting like this? I mean, they were horrible, the royals were ruining my life. But here was the queen, telling me to call her by her name.

''Why don't you go and have a read of that folder, try to get to know my son as much as you can.'' I nodded and let her lead me to a small but comfortable room just down the corridor. When I was alone and had settled myself into a corner of the sofa, took up the file and found two pieces of paper inside. The first one was a very official looking document.

Royal marriage arrangement: Groom's Profile

Name: Lorenzo George Ackerman

Title: His Royal Highness Crown Prince of Gordova

Age: 25

Birthday: 4th April

Parents: His Royal Majesty King George Ackerman, Her Royal Majesty Queen Alessia Ackerman

Siblings: Her Royal Highness Princess Alyia Ackerman (21), His Royal Highness Prince Matteo Ackerman (18)

The second piece of paper was handwritten in a neat scrawl.

Dear Ariana,

My husband put together this document, and I am well aware that he has not included any true personal details about my son, so enclosed are some of my son's interests and information about his friends/how he spends his time.

Hobbies/interests: Playing guitar, reading (he spends as much time as possible in the library), walking and enjoys learning about the past from all over the world.

I do not know much about his friends, as they normally stay in his apartment area. The ones I know of are Edward and Emmet Williams and Lucas Michealson.

I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us for making you do this, I know you were not consulted before the contract was signed, as you should have been.

-Alessia

Well there it is my lovely people! I really hope that was worth the wait, and maybe soon the bride and groom will finally meet....who knows?

Don't forget to vote and comment!

Beth xxx