My Foreign Prince

Chapter 8

Tap tap tap tap tap

The heel of my shoe tapped nervously against the floor of the carriage, which was the result of my nervousness as we were escorted to the castle. Once again, Alexei was seated opposite me. But unlike before, the air around him was thick and filled with tension. His head was down, his hair hiding his face from me so I couldn't see his expression. What I did see, though, was how he got noticeably tenser the closer we got to his home.

Was the king really that bad?

"Cynthia."

I flinched "Y-Yes, sire?"

"Please stop that horrendous tapping," he groaned, flicking his hair away from his face "It's distracting as all hell."

Well excuuuuuuuuuuse me, PRINCESS.

I huffed out in irritation, and rested my arm on the windowsill "Forgive me, I've never met a king before so I'm a tad nervous."

He let out an unamused laugh "Wait until you do meet him."

"W-What?"

"Nothing, just know he is not a Benevolent king like Elias." His eyes narrowed "When he walks into a ballroom, the party dies faster than a forest caught in a wildfire. And that's when he isn't enraged." The boy shivered slightly and adjusted his cloak "Cindy?"

My eyes widened. Since when did he call me that again "Y-Yes?"

"For your own safety, do not get on his bad side. I can't promise I can protect you from him."

"Protect me?" I almost laughed "Why would you even— I don't need protection, especially not from you."

"You will do if you keep that attitude up. I suggest you come to terms with your situation, my queen. Because without my father's approval, you won't survive a week in Roseya. He'll make sure of it."

I shrunk back in my seat. Empty threat or not, the way he said that had me terrified for what was in store for me as soon as I walk through those royal castle doors. Would they stay shut for good?

"I-I understand..." I muttered, my hair falling over my face to hide myself from his eyes. I was three years his senior, and yet I felt so small compared to him.

—-

I was dragged off by at least ten maids as soon as I stepped out of the coach. Shane did try and snatch me back, but Lizza stopped him and said I'll be back with him when I was 'presentable'. I honestly found that to be an insult; what was wrong with what I was wearing now?

"How on earth did you wash this?" One of the maids held up my dress as I was helped into the bath "It's filthy, and discoloured!"

"I think it's fine, as long as it's wearable."

"You call this wearable? Did you not have anything in Beliak?"

"I made do." I pouted and sunk my head further into the bath, until everything under the tip of my nose was submerged.

"Oh you poor girl," another maid cooed as she began shampooing my hair "Well it's a good thing Prince Alexei saved you from that place."

I scoffed, which caused a few bubbles to rise. He's the one I need saving from.

"Okay, Princess!" an older looking maid barged in with two... tents on each arm "You have a choice of two gowns. Choose wisely, you must be presentable for the king!"

Staring at each gown, I scrunched my nose up in disgust. This is what the king wanted to see?!

"I'm not wearing those."