Who's It Going To Be?

Chapter 3

The next morning, just after I step out of the bathroom, dressed and with my teeth brushed, I hear a knock on the door.

"I got it," My Dad calls.

"Some boy is here to see you," he informs me.

"Is it Fitz?" I ask, poking my head out of my bedroom door.

"No," he says in a voice that is not too happy and with a tone that perhaps suggests a talk later.

I make my way downstairs and find the shady guy.

"I'm here to answer your question from the day before," he says by way of greeting.

"You know him?" my Dad asks, with narrowed eyes.

"Sort of," I explain, "I saw him at the park yesterday."

"If you have something to say to my daughter, you're going to have to tell her in front of me," my Dad declares

The guy lets out an angry breath, "fine. Let me in, though."

Once he steps over the threshold, he takes off his shades and hat, revealing silvery eyes that match his silver-tipped hair.

"Aren't you the Princess' guard?"

"Yes"

"What are you doing here?" I question

"The Princess is interested in your friend. The one with the teal eyes."

I try to control the emotions rising inside of me.

"How do you know where I live?"

"I followed you here yesterday," he says simply, and I make a mental note to be more careful.

I learn that the guard's name is Tam and that he insists I bring him to Fitz's house. I don't have much of a choice.

Fifteen minutes later, I'm knocking on the Vacker's door. Fitz opens it with a broad smile on his face. That is until he sees Tam.

"Can we come in, please?" my eyes beg him silently. He nods.

Alvar, Fitz's older brother, walks into the main room at the same time we do.

"Hey Elsa," he greets me.

"Hey Alvar," I respond, "it's nice to see you."

"Likewise"

Tam requests we sit down as he explains the situation.

"The reason I am here," he enlightens Fitz, "is because the PrincessPrincess is very interested in you as a marriage prospect. She is inviting you to the castle to get to know you better."

I tap my feet against the tiled floor, waiting for Fitz to say something. Anything.

He tightens the fist that falls at his side like he does any time he is upset. Which used to be all the time, but he got anger management therapy and has improved significantly.

"Is everything I say going to be reported?" He asks after a minute.

"No," Tam assures him.

"Do I have a choice in the matter?"

"Yes and no," he sighs, "but let's just say it's much better for you if you just agree."

The door that separates the kitchen from the living room slides open, "may I interject?" Alvar asks

"I guess," Tam says and not too happily at that.

"Why is she interested in my brother?" he asks, and it is a great question.

"She has an appreciation for... his looks."

"Then why not me?" he replies, "if that's all she's basing it off of, we look the same. Plus, I am two years older and better fit to rule, theoretically."

None of us saw it coming, but he makes a great point. Tam doesn't know what to say and busies himself with continually flipping his bangs out of his eyes.

After a while, he says, "I presume that you can be an option as well. I will report to Princess Melonie. You can expect to hear from me in a day or two."

~~~

Two days later, I receive a call from Fitz. "Good news," he exclaims, "the Princess extended the invitation to Alvar as well." He lets out a laugh, "it always has been hard to argue with him."

"That's great!" I smile, "when are you two going?"

"A couple of guards will be coming for us tomorrow evening."

"Wow" is all I can think to say

"Yeah," I can sense his smile turn into a frown. "I have no idea what comes after, though. Like what the PrincessPrincess is going to make us do. How long she'll keep us. The whole thing is weird. Who ever thought Alvar and I will compete over a Princess?" He groans

"Yeah. It is bizarre."

"I wish you can come," he admits

"I kind of wish too. But it will probably be weird."

"Guess it would"

We talk a couple of minutes more, then I hang up, not sure how to take this sudden turn of events.