Having my short meeting with Lord Randall was not as bad as I thought it would be. He didn't talk about his 14 year old daughter. He wants her and I to be good friends. By being good friends with me, she can get a higher chance of a good prospect of marriage. And of course, he aims for me to marry one of his 4 sons. The youngest, Edward, is only 16. The oldest is Cedrik, 25 years old. Then Oscar is 23. And the twins, Harry and Henry, are 20. Cedrik is the same age as William, so the thought of marrying him is uncomfortable. Why would I marry someone the same age as my brother? Rogan is 27.
My time at the orphanage was fun. I read them a story. We played tag and Duck-Duck-Goose. Lunch was a delight. I dropped my manners so the children would feel more at ease eating lunch with me. By the end of it of all this my dress was messy, and I ripped part of it. I tripped twice while playing tag, and a few more during Duck-Duck-Goose. I hate the dresses I'm forced to wear.
Tea with Sarah, Vivian and Veronica was informative. They like gossiping. Except some of the things they say are so trivial. Like Lady Emily spilling tea on her dress.
And now I'm with Howard. Yippee. Out of all the people I have to socialise with, I find him the most boring person on Earth. Time with him is painful because of it. I go automatic whenever I'm with him. Small and simple answers. Little chit chat, like how this flower is so pretty. And throughout it all, I have to keep on a smile. Or at least a polite one. A princess has to smile... apparently. That's what my tutors say anyway.
"It's a beautiful day today." He says as we walk around the garden.
I adore the garden.
"Yes, it is." I respond.
"And the flowers are blooming quite brightly."
"Indeed they are. Especially the roses." I'm not a fan of roses. Which is ironic. Queen Celia does though. She's dedicated a whole part of the garden to it. There's a nice little garden shelter to get some romance.
"I thought you didn't like roses."
"I don't. But that doesn't mean I can't acknowledge when they bloom."
"I suppose so." Howard looks around. "Shall we take a turn around the willows and apple trees. There are beautiful flowers there as well."
"Sure. It'd be nice."
Howard holds out his arm, waiting for me to take it. I resist rolling my eyes, accepting it. How many have we done this? How many times has he taken me there to try and fetch me an apple? He always falls on his ass. That's the only thing I find humorous about him. I think he does it to make himself more manly, or at least make me laugh. He must also think willow trees are romantic. Seeing as though they hide you. He tried to kiss me numerous times. Failed on all attempts. The first few times I blocked him with my hand, saying it would be improper. The rest I turned my head as if I heard something and head towards to said 'noise'. He gets frustrated whenever I do that.
The only reason why I spend time with him is because of William. He thinks Howard is a good match for me because of his status and humble of nature. True he has never come as arrogant. Well, not to the extent of Lord Randall. But he's still boring. I really want to stop this courting. I would if I could. But the king is the king. I have no choice in the matter in whom I marry.
William still thinks I'm too immature to choose a good husband. To him, I'm still his baby sister. Rogan thinks so too. But he, at least never liked the idea of marrying me off. To him, no one is worthy of me. I receive letters from him time to time. His adventures always sound so exciting. Especially whenever he describes how he fights monsters and faces bandits and highway men.
"What are thinking about?" Howard says, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Just things. I was thinking of Rogan."
"You mean the tyrant?" He arches a brow in disgust.
I bite my lip. Don't slap him. Don't slap him. Instead I force a smile. "He has such exciting adventures."
"You never tell me about them."
"Because you don't seem interested. After all, you and your family don't like my BROTHER." I emphasized. I cant hold back my annoyance anymore. "Perhaps we should out time together today. I had a busy day and wish to rest."
"Of course." He bows with his right hand to his heart. A gesture of loyalty. "I shall see you soon, My Princess."
"Indeed." I force a smile.
He holds out his hand. Reluctantly I place mine on top and accept his kiss. It's really hard not to pull my hand away and run off.
"Perhaps next time you will allow me the honour of a true kiss." He smirks.
I fake a laugh. "Perhaps you should go now."
As soon as he leaves the garden, I wipe my hand on my dress. Even his lips feel stiff. I don't like the thought of him kissing me on the mouth. Next time he tries, he'll receive a slap.
Later that day, as the sun begins to set, I sit at the family dinner table with the king and queen with their adorable now 3 year old son. He sits beside Celia in his highchair. Even though he's a prince, and Celia the queen, she still insists on her being the one to feed him. Interesting fact: she was raised as a commoner.
"So how was your day, Rose?" William asks from across the table.
"Exhausting. Though I suppose it was near where near exhausting as yours." I smile. "Lord Randall was nice, as always. Our talk was short. He said that even though he would like to chat with me more, he has business to do at home and apologized."
"At least he does something."
Everyone at the table laughs.
"Didn't mention his kids?"
"Nope."
"Well, that's a surprise. He usually takes every chance he can get." William smirks. "Though his sons are handsome."
"Blugh."
William laughs. He does like teasing me from time to time. "How about the orphanage?"
"THAT was fun. I love going to the orphanages. Playing with the kids is so much fun. Shame Erik is too young to play with." I smile brightly my nephew.
"You're an adult, yet you want to be Erik's playmate." Celia smiles.
"Why not? He doesn't have any siblings to play with." I shrug.
"Not yet."
"True." I point my fork.
"So, how was your day love-birds?"
And this is how our dinner went.
Later I would read my brother's letters and dream of joining him on his adventures. Experiencing new things that she could only get through his letters.