Reclaiming My Empire

Chapter two - Dining with Devils

"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind"
~Mahatma Gandhi

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I got dressed in record time which is a big deal considering the amount of clothes my mom had sent in for me to choose from.

I scanned through the endless rack of dresses and settled for a lowcut peach sequin dress with black floral patterns falling from top to bottom on both sides, it hugs my chest and stomach before flaring at the bottom.

I run a brush through my hair and put a little makeup on. Just because I'm literally dining with not one, but two devils doesn't mean i shouldn't look good doing it.

Reciting my mantra, "you can do anything", i go downstairs to the dining hall where everyone is already seated with dad at the head of the table, mom and Uncle Jonathan on one side while King James, Queen Beatrice and "my beloved Adrian" sit at the other side.

Stepping inside the room, i clear my throat to announce my presence, everyone stops what they're doing and look up at me. Uncle Jonathan is the first to speak.

"Finally, her Majesty decides to grace us with her presence" he spat, glaring at me.

" Forgive me, dear uncle but the thought of seeing your ugly face at this table must have weakened my zeal to participate" i reply with a mock tone of remorse.

I could've sworn that i saw dad and King Charles chuckle as Uncle Jonathan's face hardened but it was short lived.

I quickly go to my dad's side to greet him. "Ah, Audrey darling, nice of you to join us", he said, his eyes sparkling, genuinely happy to see me.

Actions like this makes It hard to believe that he and uncle Jonathan are related, apart from the obvious physical resemblance, he's nothing like Uncle Jonathan, they are polar opposites while dad is warm, kind and loving, uncle Jonathan is just cold and bitter.

Sometimes i wonder what'd have happened if Uncle Jonathan and not dad was king. He'd probably hang people for looking at him weird.

Leaving my dad's side i made for my spot at the table opposite Adrian and next to my uncle.

Great, trapped between demons.

Before sitting, i acknowledged the presence of our guests as I'd been taught, even though i wasn't particularly fond of them.

"King Charles, Queen Beatrice, i hope you had a pleasant journey". I said, awkwardly bowing.

"Audrey dear, It's nice to see you again" Answered King Charles while he's wife gave me a tight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

She doesn't even try to hide the fact that she doesn't like me, she thinks I'm not good enough for her son. I don't mind though, it's not like I'm deperate for her blessings.

"Adrian" i said, simply nodding my head at him as i caught him checking me out.

"Audrey darling, you're even more sexy than the last time i saw you. I can't wait for our wedding night" he said, shamelessly staring at my boobs.

"Adrian that's enough" barked King Charles as he turned to my father

"my apologies Edward for my sons unruly behaviour".

"Nonsense Charles, you need not apologize, we were once like that or have you forgotten. Boys will be boys" dad said but his eyes telling a different story, i could tell that he wanted to strangle Adrian as much as i did for what he said but he was restraining himself.

King Charles then looked pleadingly at me to tolerate this pervert. I simply returned a small smile, thanking him for at least cautioning his animal of a son, cuz i was this close to stabbing him with my fork.

Food was served later on and i barely ate a thing dreading the aftermath of this dinner. Was i really going to get married to Adrian.

After dinner, we moved to the conference room where we maintained our sitting positions at dinner. We were joined by some other high officals of Reva including my dad's best friend and commander of the royal guards, Commmander James faust, he's my favorite official. He's like the only one with a soul. Plus, he's trained me in martial arts, guns, cars and everything pertaining to my safety personally on my father's request since i was a child. He's more of an uncle to me than uncle Jonathan will ever be.

Dad was the first to speak. Clearing his throat he began.

"I welcome you all to this gathering, I'd like to thank my good friend King Charles and his wife for honouring our call. I have called for this meeting to discuss the future of our great countries. My daughter Audrey is now of age and is ready to get married". With this, he paused and looked at me, his eyes pained like it was the hardest thing he ever had to say, before continuing. "I propose a union of our kingdoms with the marriage between Prince Adrian of Hald and Princess Audrey in ord.....

"If she gets married to Prince Adrian, who would be next in line to the throne, surely we wouldn't expect him to leave Hald for Reva". Uncle Jonathan interupted and I looked at him shocked finding it odd that he wasn't in support of the marriage, i always thought he'd be glad to see me shipped off to an unknown land but i remained quiet.

Dad appeared to be thinking. "what do you suggest we do?", he asked the other officials

One of the officials, with a thick beard and small eyes trapped behind his glasses whose name and position i can't remember stood "Your majesties, my lords, if i may, Prince Adrian is not the firstborn son of King Charles, Prince William is and although he is in America to further his education, i believe he will not decline when he is called upon to rule while Prince Adrian stays here".

"Cancel the wedding brother and I myself will select suitable princes or dukes without a claim to any throne. "uncle Jonathan answered"

Now there it was, an ulterior motive.

He probably planned to marry me off to a lord whom he could control.

"Why don't we allow her choose for herself" mom finally said probably wearied from this endless meeting.

All eyes were on me now to make a decision. But the problem is, do i get married to my uncle's puppet or do i marry Adrian.

Why can't i just fall in love like a normal teenager, I'm just 17 for christ sake and people say all Princesses do is look pretty.

Deciding I'm not a normal teenager and i never will be, i said what i never expected I'd ever say

" I'll marry Adrian".

"You will all regret not listening to me" uncle Jonathan says as he stands to leave

Adrian then looks at me and smirks "I can't wait to start pumping babies into you love" he says.

I was literally about to jump out of my seat and pop one or two teeth out of him when i heard mom say " o shut up, you imbecile and the next time you speak to my daughter in such manner I'll have your head on a spike, now do you understand me?"

"Yes ma'am" he said, about to shit his pants.

I noticed that Queen Beatrice was about to say something but one glare from my mother shut her up.

Well, i guess the night wasn't a total loss at least i got to thwart my uncle's plan and see Jasmine the fierce in action.

Just another day for princess Audrey Tudor

A/n: So how are you enjoying the novel, please let me know what I'm doing wrong but please no insults