Once all the necessary work was done in the dress, Felizah and Atarah's two other maids helped her wear it and got her ready for dinner.
"You've grown into such a beautiful lady Atarah."
Felizah complimented and Atarah just smiled. She knew she was beautiful but hearing the word 'lady' reminded her that she was no more to be considered as a young teenage girl. When everyone was talking about her marriage and seeing her as the soon-to-be queen of Zayeania, it was all weird for Atarah to take. She did not want any of it, the label of wife or the honor of the queen. She wanted to remain a princess and enjoy her life the way she wanted to.
The huge dining hall was well decorated with candles and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The table was set and well decorated with every kind of food according to the royal families' taste. Both Windsor and Coldwell families were seated to dine together as Atarah enters the hall.
She curtsied as she saw he parents and took the seat near the Queen and beside her cousin, Leila.
Prince Ambrose was attentively observing every motion of Princess Atarah as if he was here to judge her on her every behavior. His speculating eyes made Atarah uncomfortable and nervous. She has promised her mother that she wouldn't do anything out of her childish nature, she would behave like a future queen even though she hated the fact but it was something that was expected of her.
"How are you Atarah?"
Queen Coldwell questioned Atarah, her tone was neither friendly nor hostile but it somewhat made Atarah nervous. She knew everyone at this table was seated to question and examine her, they won't even leave the simplest chance of observing her.
"I'm good, thank you. Hope you are in good health as well."
She said with a smile. The queen nodded and everyone else ate in silence.
"I think the prince and princess should get some time talking and knowing each other better. Prince Ambrose would like to have a word with Princess Atarah after dinner."
King Coldwell proposed and Atarah's parents agreed to it.
After dinner, Ambrose directed Atarah towards the gardens and she was glad that he chose her favorite spot in the palace for the purpose.
"What are your likings, princess Atarah?"
He questioned.
"This place. I like to see the sun from here and these rabbits... They are my best companions in the palace."
Atarah got excited about the question and wanted Ambrose to feel the same about the one thing she was so passionate about...living her life without worry.
"That's quite...interesting."
Prince Ambrose didn't seem to be much elevated about knowing Atarah's liking. He expected her to say something which was expected more of a lady like her and especially when she was going to be a queen soon. According to Ambrose, her likings should have included knitting, cooking, dancing, hunting, or playing games but she simply liked playing with rabbits in the garden, which affected Ambrose's thoughts on her.
A rabbit came running as it saw Atarah, well, she was quite popular among those innocent, adorable animals. Without thinking for a second Atarah took it on her hands and stood back up to Prince's level. She smiled as she tried to make him realize that it was such an endearing creature in her hand.
"You shouldn't be picking it up like that. It had been playing in the dirt all day and see, your dress is also spoiled because of it."
Ambrose said pointing at Atarah's silhouette. It might have looked perfectly fine to a commoner but for a keen observer of a royal family that Prince Ambrose was, not even the slightest bit of unwanted substance could escape his eyes. And pointing out the trace of dirt on a perfectly fine dress was only natural to his behavior.
"It's okay. My maids will clean it but these rabbits are not dirty, they are one of the purest creatures."
She said smiling at it.
"Well, in that case, I guess we both have our different perspectives. What's pure for you is repellent for me. I couldn't bear having that animal filth my surroundings."
His tone was speaking of disgust and Atarah felt deeply wistful at his thoughts. How could her parents possibly want her to marry someone whose thoughts opposed hers? She let go of the rabbit and it ran back to its other companions.
"I think we have had enough chat for today. I hope, I find your interests to interest me more when talking next time. You are soon to be queen and you are expected to meet certain presumptions that wouldn't make your subjects or anyone else doubt your capabilities of becoming a queen. I don't know if anyone in your royal family has elucidated this to you or not, but if we are going to marry then I have certain expectations of my wife which I would want you to fulfill, and being a worthy queen, is one of them."
Atarah was well aware of what Ambrose was saying to her but still, his words sounded alien to her. she knew that one day she had to take up the crown but she wasn't expecting Ambrose to be this immediate about the matter to her. She nodded in agreement because she knew she was supposed to behave and she was a well-behaved princess who never raised her voice. If one was to forget about her liking and the notion of a carefree life, she was one perfect lady with every bit of etiquette. A perfect princess. But this wasn't something she wanted. Although it had been natural and obvious for her to inherit the throne, she never wanted it. She has spent all her life inside the palace walls and now those walls have started looking like a cage to her.
She went back to her room and decided to read a book when she couldn't sleep. She didn't realize the time when she drifted off to sleep in the chair and her book was laying on the ground as Felizah wakes her up. Her expressions weren't good. She seemed nervous and frightened. What could be possibly wrong?