The next gentleman stepped into the room and looked around with raised eyebrows.
"Pleasant evening, your Highness," he said and sat down on the chair.
The Princess pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows.
He sat even before she gave her permission or returned his greeting?
Already a red mark.
"Pleasant evening and you are?" She asked.
"Lord Derke, Duke of the Renagre Kingdom," he said.
"I see, tell me, Lord Derke, how has your evening been?" The Princess asked.
"It has been fine, although the food was quite bland to my taste, I managed," he said.
"Oh, so you aren't satisfied with the royal service?" The Princess leaned back and asked.
"Of course not, everything else has been perfect. I was just being honest because I know you wouldn't like me to lie" Lord Derke said and the Princess smiled.
He was being honest and she liked it.
"I see you're very clever" she smirked.
"Certainly not as clever as you, I liked what you did back there"
"What do you mean?" The Princess had to lean forward to hear him out.
"When you asked for some time to choose a spouse, I thought of it very highly of you" Lord Derke smiled.
"Thank you, I'm glad you think what I did was right," Princess Divale smiled.
Finally, someone that won't bore her ears out with balderdash of art and the city of Rome.
"Is there anything you would like to ask me?" She asked.
"Not much, because I know you to be perfect" he replied swiftly.
"I see," the Princess smirked with satisfaction.
"But still, I'm sure you have something you're curious about?" She insisted.
"There is one thing," Lord Derke said.
"Implore me, I will answer with the best of my abilities" the Princess muttered.
"What level of power would I be given if I get married to you?" Lord Derke asked.
"Pardon?" The Princess raised her eyebrows.
"What I mean is will I have the entire army command to myself? Will I have the right to wage war against any territory and claim bounties? I need to know" Lord Derke asked as his eyes glinted with something the Princess didn't like at all.
"Uh, I don't know about but surely, as the King and Emperor of the great Empire, you should have limitless power" the Princess answered.
"That's splendid, that means everyone will have to obey my commands and I will have access to the Royal Treasury too, am I right?" He leaned in as his eyes glistened with avarice.
"Sure," the Princess breathed out.
As the conversation went on, the Princess observed and noticed that Lord Derke mainly dwelled in attaining power and command.
She brought out his negatives.
Talks only about acquiring.
Has eyes that yearn for power.
One word, too GREEDY!
With a huff, she snapped her fingers again.
"Next!"
The next suitor strolled into the room with an air of pomposity and his eyes swept over the room and returned with distaste.
"Oh, Princess, Pleasant evening," he moved and placed a kiss on her hand.
"To you too, have a seat please" the Princess gestured.
His eyes fell on the chair and he frowned.
"Is there a problem?" She asked.
"Um, yeah, I never seat on plain wood. I always use cushioned chairs. Well, I have no other choice" he rolled his eyes and placed his butt on the chair as though he was asked to seat in mud.
"I see," the Princess raised her eyebrow.
"I'll keep that in mind for the next time" she added.
"Won't you introduce yourself?" She took the glass and took a sip.
"Introduce?!" He shrieked with an unbelievable look on his face.
"Darling, I don't do introductions, everyone knows who I am. I see you don't socialize much, sweetheart. Geez, an introduction!" He scoffed.
"I am your Crown Princess and you will address me as so! And if you have no desire of introducing yourself, then please use the door" she pointed towards the door.
"Fine!" He huffed.
"I am Earl Maneder of Wanil Kingdom. I'm sure you have heard of the hero who saved your brother, Prince Kelle, from an attack. Yap, that's me!" He boasted.
"Is that so?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Then I'm thankful for your effort. I'm glad the Prince has trustworthy soldiers like you" the Princess expressed her gratitude.
"Oh, sure! And just to add, I'm like the best archer in the army. I can shoot three arrows with my eyes closed and I never miss my target, honey- I mean, Your Highness" he said.
"Archery is a great sport," the Princess inputted.
"And also, my handsome looks is a bonus for the ladies. If you marry me, you would be the luckiest woman on earth," he shrugged.
"Pardon?!" The Princess spat.
"I said you're-"
"I heard what you said perfectly, Earl Maneder. Let me make things clear with you, I will not be marrying into your family, you will be marrying unto the royal family if I choose you. And you will be considered lucky for having the chance to look at me, not to talk of even talking to me in private so you better watch your words carefully," the Princess warned.
"Don't be upset, I was just saying. Of course, any vampire would be lucky to be in your company" Earl Maneder quickly added.
"May we talk about something else?"
"Sure," the Earl nodded.
The more she spoke to Earl Maneder, the more she realized how pompous, conceited and arrogant he was.
Princess Divale brought out the negatives again.
Talks too much about himself,
Talks about nothing but himself,
Again, talks only about himself.
One word, ARROGANT!
With a roll of her eyes, she snapped.
"Dismissed!"
>>>>>>>>>>
Which one of the suitors did you like?
Which would you choose if you were the Princess?
!!ALERT!! Our cursed beast may nor may not be appearing in the next chapter, stay tuned if you want to meet him!
Thank you for reading!
Bye,
Love from Queen.