Silver & Gold

Chapter 3

Here I am, standing in front of one of my suitors. I look to the pale hand that holds my wrist.

Samson releases me and bows. "My apologies, Princess. I shouldn't have grabbed you in such a manner. Forgive me."

I have to play it safe and careful with Samson. I know what power the Merandus family holds. "I forgive you. Don't make the mistake again." I look to Lasswell and wink.

My bodyguard steps into the room. "Lord Merandus, it is an honor to meet you. I am Princess Alexandria's bodyguard and the head of the Amicitian royal guard." He bows dramatically.

Samson seems to be analyzing Lasswell closely. "Indeed. May I ask how you got lost, young princess?"

I cross my arms and huff. "How can I not get lost when no one is showing me around? I don't even know where my room is." I look to Lasswell and sigh.

"Come on, Princess. Let us be off in search of a servant or guard who may know." Lasswell wraps an arm around my waist and leads me out of the council room.

We make it halfway down the hallway when we run into another one of my suitors.

I recognize him from his file.

He has silver hair and black eyes that remind me of a hawk. The man is dressed in a black military uniform. He stops when he sees me. "May I be of any help to you?"

Lasswell steps forward. "I don't know. Princess Alexandria is looking for her room and cannot find it." He puts his arm around my waist once more.

The man's eyes widen at the mention of my name. He immediately kneels down before me. "Princess, please forgive me for not noticing sooner. I am a member of the Nortan Guard and I should've assisted you the moment I laid eyes on you." The man stands again.

I smile. "Do not worry. What is your name?" I ask even though I know it.

"Ptolemus Samos."

"Oh, you must be one of my suitors. I didn't expect you to look so handsome."

It isn't a lie. It's nowhere close to a lie.

Ptolemus is tall and muscular with a perfectly chiseled jaw. His hair looks short and neatly styled. Ptolemus' muscles are trying to bulge out of his uniform. He might actually be a decent enough husband.

Lasswell clears his throat. "Excuse me, but my princess must find her room. She needs to rest from her journey to Norta." He turns to show Ptolemus his back.

I do the same. Oh, how I love playing hard to get; I love playing never to get even more. I walk away with Lasswell at my heels. I'm thankful I can trust him.

He and his brother follow their mistress wherever she goes.

"Lasswell, take me to my room. I'm sure you know the layout of the palace," I whisper.

"My pleasure, Princess." He leads me towards the rooms that belong to the royal family. Lasswell points to the first door we pass. "Prince Maven resides there. Your room is across from his," he then points to a bigger and more ornate door, "You will find Prince Tiberias Calore VII in there." Lasswell stops at the end of the hall and points to the largest and most ornate door. "This is the private quarters of King Tiberias VI and over there," he gestures to a matching door, "is Elara's private quarters." Lasswell bows to me.

I smirk. I know I can always trust Lasswell. "Very well. I would like to go to my temporary quarters." I turn and follow Lasswell.

He throws open the door to my room and takes me inside.

Everything from the bedsheets to the walls is painted purple and teal. The room is elaborately decorated and complete with everything I would ever need. A bed sits in a far corner and across from it is a vanity. There's a huge walk-in closet. Beside the closet space is door that leads to the bathroom. Beside the large canopy bed is a writing desk and chair. My trunks sit at the foot of my bed.

"Lasswell, please put all of my clothes in the closet and arrange my shoes accordingly. After that please prepare a bath," I command.

He bows and does as I bade him. Lasswell doesn't waste time as he neatly hangs up my dresses and other clothes. He neatly sets each pair my shoes under the outfit they go with. Lasswell hurries into the bathroom and prepares a bath.

I have just kicked off my shoes when he returns.

"My princess, your bath is ready. I have also set out your favorite bath oils and soaps. I came prepared with the ones from Amicitia." Lasswell bows and the takes his post sitting at the writing desk. He nods to me.

I nod back and hurry into the bathroom. I quickly strip myself of my clothes. I slip my body into the warm water.

As usual, Lasswell has added rose petals.

I don't need any guards other than Lasswell and his brother. I know I can always count on them. I pick out a bath oil and pour it into the water. I take my favorite soap and clean my body.

It's then that a Nortan maid comes to bathe me. "My lady, I'm here to serve you." She bows to me.

I dismiss her with a wave of my hand. "I will only allow Lasswell and Fluss to attend to me. Go fetch Lasswell to aid me," I say sharply.

The scared little maid runs out.

Footsteps I know all too well approach me.

"You called, my lady?" Lasswell asks.

"Can you please wash my hair? The king is having a welcome banquet for me and I must look my best."

Lasswell doesn't reply, but goes on to do as I ask.

Tiberias Calore VII:
I'm standing in front of the mirror in my room. I don't know why but I keep double checking my clothes to make sure they're perfect.

My attendants are long gone, but they didn't do their job as perfectly as I wanted it.

I sigh. Why can't I forget her? Why am I still thinking of Alexandria?

Something draws me to her, but what?

I saw Maven's eyes as he watched her.

He wants her. Maven wants her to stay by his side. He wants to get out of Queenstrial. Maven doesn't want to pick any of the girls from the High Houses, but yet someone foreign and exotic.

As the Crown Prince, it should be my job. I should be the one to marry her.

Not Ptolemus. Not Samson. And not Maven.

Tonight at the banquet it shall be me who dances with her, speaks with her, and wins her.

Maven Calore:
I smirk. I know I look perfect. I may be dressed similarly to Cal, but I will win her heart. I've heard women adore men with blue eyes.

That means I have more of a chance than Cal.

I don't care for Queenstrial anyway.

All it is is a show of power. But it's not only power that makes someone fit to rule.

They must be smart and cunning.

Alexandria has everything. She is smart and cunning. She's powerful. Alexandria would make the perfect queen.

I just have to be the one she wants. Only then will I have the advantage. I also know the truth.

Father didn't delay Queenstrial.

My mother secretly entered in Alexandria's name.

I will do all I can to prevent her from having to participate.