The anxiety of the palace's staff was palpable as they prepared for the arrival of King Zephirinus and Prince Hadrian. Cara, seeing some of King Zephirinus's elite guards lurking around the stables, stopped to watch them. They seemed unusually jolly. She would have thought that they would be on high alert being in a new place and all.
As Cara squinted at the group, trying to see them more clearly, a young guardsman turned away from the conversation he was engaged in, smirking and giving her a mock wave. The guardsman snickered, obviously amused to have caught her staring at them. Cara flushed and, realizing she was running late, hurried towards the formal dining hall.
When she arrived she found her mother gushing over their visitors.
" Oh, what an honor it is for us to host you and your lovely son!" Exclaimed Cara's mother.
"Cara, don't just stand there! Greet our guests!" She demanded.
"Of course. I apologize for my rudeness, Prince Hadrian, King Zephirinus," Cara nodded at each in turn.
"You are just as lovely as I was told, Princess Caralina. I hope the two of us will become better acquainted over my stay," Hadrian said.
"Please, just Cara; and it's a pleas-." Cara began to recite sarcastically, immediately not liking Hadrian's empty flattery, but was cut off by her father's booming voice and a glare.
"We are very pleased that Hadrian has agreed to stay at the palace with us to get to know our Lynette better. Ah, I do remember when they were just little tots, running around, playing games. Now look at them! Getting married in four years! If I didn't know myself better, I'd think I was tearing up a bit," King Malthus laughed.
Cara used all of her mental will power to keep from rolling her eyes at her father's acting. Like he would ever be caught "tearing up".
"Do sit down, make yourself comfortable," Queen Eira smiled.
The six all began to sit at once, and bumped into each other, apologized, and eventually got settled. Staff began to bring out beverages and appetizers.
"Thank you for allowing me become acquainted with your family, and Lynette," Hadrian said as her took off his jacket.
Lynette batted her eyes as she hung on to Hadrian's every word.
Cara rolled her eyes.
Just look at Hadrian and his charm. Just because he has manners doesn't make him a good person.
"Although we see each other over holidays and social gatherings, I believe there is no better way to get to know someone than to stay at the home and be a part of their daily life," Hadrian remarked.
As dinner continued, the adults held polite, quiet conversations. Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, the younger participants held a jolted discussion, full of awkward pauses. While Lynette and Hadrian made mostly pleasant talk, Cara watched the guests.
King Zephirinus had deep auburn hair, not unlike her own, a tall build, and a weak jaw. She was too far away to accurately see his eye color, but she guessed it was a light blue or green. He and his son looked oddly similar, yet wildly different.
Hadrian had light mocha skin, coming from his mother's darker coloring, and light blue eyes. He had a similarly tall build from his father. But, his facial features were far stronger and more defined. Cara's thoughts were interrupted as she tuned back into the conversation.
"I have a summer house up north of the capital city of Beltiare. Acres upon acres of land-- great for riding and hunting. We should go there sometime," Hadrian said, not particularly looking at either of the princesses.
YOU ARE READING
The Kalixian Chronicles: Behind the Smoke and Mirrors
Teen FictionIn the kingdom of Kalixia, there lives a princess named Cara Ellin with less than a year to live. In an attempt to learn more about herself and her family, she uncovers some palace secrets that she was never meant to know.
