Maybe I Bit Off More Than I Could Chew: Book three

The celebration feast (Mel's Pov)

They open the doors for us and the room of people goes silent when they see us. "May I introduce Princesses Melrose Adeline the second and Audrey Cordelia The first. Princess Melrose is going to marry king Felix." Felix the first announces loudly. "This is a celebration for her arrival." He finishes and then gestures to the chairs for everyone to sit. Everyone does so and Felix and his father come and offer their hands to lead us to our seats. 

"Melrose, may I escort you to your seat?" Felix asks with a ''charming'' smile on his face. I force a smile on my face and allow him to lead me to my seat, I sit with Felix on my right and Audrey on my left. "This is a traditional Catelonian stew, made from beef and vegetables and our secret blend of spices. It's a recipe among our people that has been prepared for generations. I hope you like it." Felix whispers and I politely nod and take a bite. It's actually really good, savory and the vegetables are nice and soft when I pick them up with the fork. "It's delicious king Felix." Leah answers for me. "Thank you queen Leah." He says with a smile. 

Throughout the dinner there's a never ending hum of people chatting, it's a comforting thing, the sound of people laughing and talking. Once everyone is finished with their stew they bring out dessert, its an ice cream that is rich and tastes like cinnamon. "This is also a traditional dessert for my kingdom, it became popular when an ancestor told his people that when you eat it you will be blessed with your deepest desire." He says and I stare at it in wonder. My deepest desire is to be at home with my boyfriend, my sister and my friends right now. I think as I take a bite. "Interesting history king Felix." Leah says and he nods his thanks. 

After dessert Felix's father gets a band up on a platform where I assume would normally be the thrones. He tells us to dance and be merry, then the band starts to play and the people start to dance. "Melrose, may I have a dance?" Felix asks, holding a hand out for me. "Actually, I would like a dance with an old friend if you don't mind." A voice speaks up and I look over to see a beautiful woman dressed in gold and smirking sheepishly. 

"Audrey, would you like to dance with me?" I ask and she smiles and nods. We get up and make our way to the dance floor, though we don't know what we're doing, we pick it up quickly. I notice that the woman and Felix are dancing, she's talking to him with a huge smile on her face and he looks like he'd rather be sitting down still.

"Who is that?" I ask and Audrey spins around to look. "Oh that's queen Lilavati of Genova, she is the same age as Felix." Audrey tells he and then spins back to me to keep dancing. Halfway through the song a tap on my shoulder stops me and I turn to see my dad and grandpa Stefan are standing behind me. "May I cut in to dance with my daughter?" dad asks and Audrey gives my hands to him. "I'd like a dance with you Audrey." grandpa Stefan says and takes Audrey's hands. 

"I'm sorry rose, I fought against this as much as I could. I even went so far as to say that you and I were no longer part of her family and that we would not be taking orders from her. She laughed at me for that one and then called you out of class." He says and I look at the ground. "Hey we'll figure this out little Rosebloom. Even if it means sneaking away in the dead of night." He comforts, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. "We might not have to, I've got a plan." I tell him and he shakes his head fondly. "I should've known you would." He comments. When the song ends we all stop and clap, then another one starts. 

"Hello princess Melrose, may I cut in? Your cousin is dancing with Felix right now." Queen Lilavati asks and I smile and allow her to take the lead. "I've no ill will towards you, but Felix and I had been together for three years before you came into his life." She starts and I bow my head. "I understand, the love of my life is back in auradon, he gave me a promise ring." I say. "So you do not wish to marry Felix?" She asks surprised and I shake my head. "From the way he talked about it... I could've sworn that, you were as serious about marrying him as he is about you." I shake my head. "Felix isn't my type, and the entire thing is arranged by my grandmother queen Leah. I've fought against it tooth and nail but to no avail." "By old rule? My goodness she must be old fashioned." "Believe me I know, my mother is maleficent, and when queen Leah found that out she sent me to live with her. I was three years old." I lament. "That's harsh." She comments and I get an idea.

 "Say you wanna help me stop the arrangement from happening?" I ask and she gets a devious look on her face. "I would do anything to get Felix back, and I know you want to go back to your love." She answers. "Okay good, I need you to take Felix walking past the hallway right next to this dining room and talk about your relationship, he didn't actually break it off with you before this did he?" I ask and she shakes her head. "Good that will help even more. You'll walk right past my bedroom and I'll hear it and tell them to hold off every plan until we can sort out his feelings and relationship with you. Then you can stay here and the wedding will be held off until further notice." I say and she nods determinedly. "I'll do it tonight." I smile and curtsy when the song ends. Audrey and Felix come over and Felix asks to dance, which Lilavati accepts because he didn't specify who, though we both know he was asking me. I tell Audrey of the plan and ask her to be there to back me up when the plan starts. She agrees and we continue to dance for the rest of the feast.