Flora drug her feet as she solemnly made her was to Prince Andrei's chambers. She could not have thought of a worse outcome than what had happened. It felt like her heart was shattering into a million pieces, with no hope of it ever being put back together. Why? Why did things have to end up like this? Maybe if she would have been more useful, she could have stayed in Prana. Maybe if she had control over her abilities she could think of a way out. Maybe if the king had never died and the war with Mistis had never happened, she would be safe from Leosta. The maybes didn't matter. This was her reality, and she would have to face it, no matter how painful it was.
Pausing at the entrance to Prince Andrei's chambers, Flora pondered how this apology might go. Would he torment her and remind her of her shame? She could never predict how the Leostan was going to react. In truth, Flora had seen him threaten her; she wouldn't put it past him to go further than he did at the dinner party
Before Flora had a chance to knock, the door opened, revealing the prince. He was dressed in a plain black tunic with plain black pants. Not the usual garb she had seen him in. Actually, Flora had only ever seen soldiers dressed like that for training purposes. She looked away as she noticed that the shirt was much too thin to hide his chest. Prince Andrei didn't smirk nor did he tease, he only said, "I was wondering why you were standing at my door."
Trying to hide her embarrassment, she stammered, "how... how did you know?" Flora clenched a fold of her skirt, uneasy. "Never mind, I have come to speak with you, your highness." She pursed her lips as she waited for an answer. Flora might die from dread before she had the chance to make this apology.
The prince only nodded, opening the door wider for her to walk through. He led her to a sitting area where she took the sofa across from where he sat down. Prince Andrei's expression was blank as he stared at her, waiting for her to start. Flora clasped her hands in her lap, fighting the urge to wring them in worry. She took a deep breath and started, "I would like to apologize to your highness, for my behavior the other day." The prince continued to stare at her, as if he could see right through her. "...and for the party."
Prince Andrei gracefully crossed his leg over the other, still silent. A moment had passed before he spoke, "I accept your apology." His voice was calm and steady, a far cry from the snide remarks she had expected from him. "To be honest, I can't blame you for being surprised. I, of course, would not have handled it that way." A look of superiority covered his face. "I didn't expect that brother of yours to hold the information from you." He uncrossed his legs and got up to grab a pitcher of sweet tea. Prince Andrei poured both of them a cup and sat back down. "I didn't think the deal would actually go through with my father, but I wouldn't put it past him to marry me off to a Pranian princess."
The way that he said 'Pranian' was filled with venom. So much so that Flora interjected, "can you PLEASE not insult my country for one moment?" She had lifted her face to meet his, the intensity of her gaze palatable. "Must you always offend me?" Flora closed her eyes for a moment, collecting her thoughts before she got too upset. "I don't like this situation any more than you do your highness, but I am going to demand at least a certain amount of respect."
The prince tapped his finger on the arm of the chair, before he responded, "of course." He looked out the window and mused, "well I would suppose this whole thing won't last long either. I find it hard to believe that my father would actually continue the engagement after this so called 'trial period'."
Pain pricked her palms as Flora squeezed her fists together, her fingernails biting into the skin. There was no way in hell that Flora would divulge anything that Felix had said to her to this Leostan. Unfortunately for Flora, this engagement had to be a success. "As much as I wish that were true, I would think that this marriage would benefit both countries."
There was a glint in the prince's eyes, as he held back another insult. "Nonetheless, we are engaged, and there should be a public proposal tonight." He downed his glass of tea, glancing at Flora's untouched cup. "From what my father has ordered me to do, I assume both him and your brother want us to act as if we are happy." Flora bit her lip, refusing to respond at the ghastliness of the idea. Seeing her expression, he added, "or at least not tortured." Prince Andrei rose once again and strode over to the door, opening it as a silent order. "I will see you tonight princess." Flora rose and stepped through the door without another word.
* * *
As Rose and Amelia readied Flora for the engagement party, she sat still as a corpse, her eyes unfocused and her mouth silent. The two ladies didn't try to pressure her to talk, and worked only saying a few words to each other. Amelia shot Flora many worried glances, but Flora didn't notice as she sat there lost. She couldn't even think of the situation anymore, so she decided not to think at all.
After a few hours of dressing and styling, Flora was ready to go down to the grand hall where the party would be held. When she looked in the mirror, she saw someone that she didn't recognize. Staring back at her was a lifeless vessel dressed in fine silks and chiffon, colored as if there was something to celebrate. The bright blue dress didn't fit the mood at all, and the puffy sleeves only added to the absurdity of it all. Her hair was a dull blonde, pulled away to hide the lack of shine. Flora might as well have been a doll on a girl's shelf, untouched for years as she grew.
Rose studied Flora for a moment, before she spoke gently, "Flora, I know this may be hard, but it is not the end of the world." Nothing came from Flora as she stared forward. "You are capable of doing anything." Rose gave her a halfhearted smile. "It is not like you haven't done the impossible before." When Flora didn't react, Rose wrapped her up in a tight hug. "You will be alright Flora."
A guard was waiting outside to guide Flora to the main hall. It didn't matter much to Flora at this point if she was murdered in the halls walking alone, but she followed him anyway. Before she was permitted to enter the grand hall, Felix walked up to her, a stern look on his face. "Stop looking as if you are already dead." He brushed off her lack of a response. "You need to smile. Act like this is the good thing it is." He paused before he added, "just remember how good this will be for Prana."
As much as Flora hated to admit it, Felix was right. If it was for Prana, Flora could do anything. If she would die for her country, she could kill her soul for her country. This is what she must do. Flora plastered a smile onto her face as Prince Andrei approached the door. He held out his arm for her to grab onto and they waited to be announced. They walked through the entryway to a round of applause from people who where probably very thankful that she would finally be leaving the castle. No need for them to continue walking on eggshells with the cursed princess gone.
The two of them waited to be seated until Felix was announced, because the entire room would need to stand and bow in respect. Felix made his way to the dais and announced loudly for all to hear, "Thank you for joining us in celebration! Let the feast begin."
For a moment, Flora was confused thinking back on this situation. How many of the people here actually knew what the celebration was for? How fast would news travel in this large group of gossips? She doubted that anyone knew what this party was truly for when she thought about it. Not that it really mattered anyway. Flora forced her fake smile to remain on her face throughout the entire dinner. Though, try as she might, she couldn't force herself to eat anything, so she chose to move her food around on her plate and drink wine. It's not like the self-absorbed aristocrats would notice if she didn't eat.
As dinner was winding down and the servants began clearing the tables, Felix stood again, clinking his glass for attention. The room stilled as everyone turned to face her brother and stopped their chatter. He cleared his throat declared, "I would like everyone's attention here. I know most of you do not know what we are celebrating tonight, but some of you may have guessed." Felix winked to the crowd as he smiled. "I would like to pass your attention to Prince Andrei Usoro here." He motioned for Prince Andrei to stand.
The prince rose with a sickeningly sweet smile widening on his face. Flora found it hard to believe that anyone would deem it real. "I would like to extend my gratitude to his majesty King Felix Premoni for his generosity in hosting us not only tonight, but since our arrival." There were a few claps in agreement from the crowd of guests. "His majesty has welcomed us with open arms, and for that, I could not be more grateful." Prince Andrei looked down at Flora with a soft smile before he continued, "His majesty, Emperor Leonid Usoro, and his majesty, King Felix Premoni, have come to an agreement." The room became dead silent as many didn't even dare to breathe. "They have both agreed to let me ask for her highness, Princess Flora Premoni's, hand in marriage." The room burst into applause, but Andrei raised his hand to still the guests. He turned to Flora and held out an open box containing a ring of sapphire. "Princess Flora Premoni, will you accept my proposal?"
Flora turned toward the prince, her smile faltering. Her chest was so tight she couldn't breathe, but she persisted. It felt as if Flora was dying right in that moment as she answered, "I accept."