"I will not be choosing a king tonight" the Princess announced.
Gasps, whispers, and murmurs filled the ballroom. Everyone was shocked and they had to check if they heard the right word.
"Pardon me, Your Highness?" The conductor couldn't help but blurt out.
"I said I will not be choosing a king tonight" the Princess repeated.
"No, not tonight," she shook her head.
Now, everyone in the hall had the liberty to question the Princess's statement because what she said made no sense.
The Emperor was about to stand up and demand an explanation from his daughter when his wife, the Empress, held him down.
When he looked at her, she shook her head and gestured for him to wait.
The Queen knew her daughter very well and if Divale had said something like this, she knew what she was doing and a mother always trusts her daughter.
So Empress Topal waited for Divale to continue.
"Forgive me, my Princess, but it is said-" the conductor was cut off when the Princess raised her hand in his direction.
A sign for him to shut his trap.
"I know what is said in the law but I have decided that if I am going to choose a life partner, a husband that I will be obliged to love, care and serve for my life, not only that but if I am going to choose a King for my people, one that would be expected to listen, care and treat his people right then I'm afraid one night won't be enough for that," the Princess said.
"I want to sit down and talk to each one of you and get to know you before I can make any decision that would impact mine and the Empire's future,"
"So with permission from my father, King Terre, I would like some time" the Princess looked up at her father in the gallery and silently asked for his permission.
The crowd also looked up and awaited the Emperor's decision.
The Empress squeezed her husband's hand as a sign of support.
"Permission granted" the Emperor announced which made the Princess smile.
"I give you two weeks, after that, you choose your King" Emperor Terre conceded.
"Thank you, Your Majesty" the Princess smiled and her father nodded.
"Now, let's talk" the Princess looked at her suitors with a smirk that made them tremble.
The Princess turned around and walked down the stage.
"Precelle, send them into the court one after the other" the Princess ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness" Lady Precelle bowed.
The Princess walked through a door in the hall, followed by two guards, and entered a small but charming room by the side of the hall.
She sat down on the chair and crossed her legs.
"Send some snacks and refreshments" she ordered and a guard bowed before he left the room.
"Bring in one of the suitors" she ordered the other guard.
A few seconds later, one of the suitors stepped into the room and the door was closed behind him after a servant dropped some snacks and drinks on the table.
"Pleasant evening, Princess" he bowed and she simply nodded.
"Master Filen of Gardenia, pleased to be in your presence," he said humbly.
"Have a seat" she motioned and he walked into the room and sat across the Princess.
"Master Filen, I hope you have been having a pleasant evening?" the Princess asked for formality.
"Indeed I have, the royal debutante was splendid, my Lady" Master Filen said.
The Princess flinched. She hated to be called my Lady out of all things by males. She felt it was too low for her high status.
She kept her smile intact but in her head, she had already drawn a red mark on Master Filen's profile.
"I'm glad to hear that, Master Filen. Please, have something to drink" the Princess said.
"Sure, thank you" he brought a glass to his lips.
"I should say, I am very honored to be in this hall," Master Filen said and his eyes danced with excitement.
"Really? And why is that?" the Princess leaned over.
"Are you pranking me? This hall is one of the greatest art treasures of Urankia, possibly the entire world. To stand in the ground is like a dream come true for me!" Master Filen said animatedly.
"I see, I'm glad you have fulfilled your dream," the Princess said.
"My dream? No, this is just a quarter of my dream? Have you ever been to Rome, my Princess?" He asked.
"No, I haven't," the Princess said.
"I thought so, when you go to Rome, it's like the word art originated from that city! It's like one of the best art in the world and everything dating back to centuries ago are still intact-"
And the Princess zoned out of the conversation.
When she zoned back in.
"It has Da Vinci, Bernini, and even Pierre L'Enfant, I mean, you would be mesmerized+"
Still talking about art.
Let's see,
The Princess thought the things she didn't like about Master Filen.
Talks too much.
Talks only about art.
Doesn't ask for my input.
Again, talks too much about art.
In one word, BORING!!
With a sigh and a boring yawn, she snapped her fingers.
"Next!"
>>>>>>>>>>
Bored?
Who is ready to see our Cursed Beast?
Just a little bit more, guys!
Trust me, I am dying just as much as you are dying to see him.
Bye,
Love from Queen.