Chapter 3
Astrid's POV
The time we went back to the castle the smell of a feast was seeping through my nostrils. I'm excited for that, but at the same time, the excitement faded away when I saw a guest I never expected. I don't even think it's just any other guest. I bet it's one of father's want-to-be-future-son-in-law.
Father would often arrange meetings with princes from other kingdoms, hoping that I could pick a prince to marry. Since I'm so smart, I made an excuse that I'm still young to marry someone, but that would be useless starting today because I'm just turned eighteen.
"Look who's back from her little trip." Father said walking towards his precious daughter with welcoming arms. "My little princess." He squeezed me tightly in his embrace, and I hugged him back.
And he's making me feel humiliated because this lovely prince was in front of us watching. I'm just kidding, he's not lovely.
"Father, I never expected for us to have a little guest. I thought I explained that this day was not different from the rest." I said, talking about the Prince who's standing in the side also welcoming me in by putting a small smile on his face. He looks manipulative and intimidating which is making me nervous.
"Oh, he's no little guest, he's a huge one! He's a gift. And it wouldn't hurt to invite another one, right?"
"Please don't bring the marriage thing on this day." I responded. Right now, I wished that this day will be finished as soon as possible just so I could hide under a rock because my father would clearly beg me to marry this man.
"I didn't even say a word! You said it yourself, my darling." He booped my nose, trying to cheer me up a bit. Cool attempt, but not that effective.
I brushed his actions aside with a small giggle. Maxwell then addressed us towards the dining table, which is not like him at all, because most often, Maxwell would just sit down at the table and start eating.
I understand that he's doing that because there's a guest, but judging from his expression which is a very normal look, he doesn't like the prince.
Very normal can be a sign of abnormality.
What's so special about this prince anyways that it made Maxwell so polite even though every time someone would come here in this castle and he doesn't like that person he would act very impolite?
Does he like him or was he rich?
NAHH, I don't think he likes him. Since when did he like princes that I'm almost going to marry anyways? He's very much protective of me, and if I'm right he doesn't want me to marry anyone at the moment. I think it really was because their family is rich and could afford to buy our whole kingdom.
We were now dining in an eighteen-seater table even though there's only the four of us. It was silent at that moment, and father didn't even bother to introduce this Prince seating beside me. Did he forgot that fast?
I didn't actually care that much, because I enjoyed the silence at this moment. But then, this man who looks exactly like me decided to open his mouth and tries to start a conversation.
"So. Father, why don't you introduce us to this polite gentleman in front of us, instead of just munching on your food." Maxwell said. He didn't mean to make it a bit rude, but he made it sound like it.
"Oh, I almost forgot." Father let out a chuckle while wiping his mouth. "The steak is good. This is Prince Henry Walkins, from the Kingdom of Pleuns. Prince Henry, I'm very sorry if I haven't introduced you earlier. It's such an impolite manner for a king."
It's a good thing you know that my dear father.
"Oh, no King Arthur. It's fine. I also kind of enjoyed the food." Prince Henry responded, putting his knife and fork aside at the same time. Should I escape or not? This is the most perfect time to dig 70 feet underground and hide under there until I suffocate to death.
"I assume that this woman seated beside me is Princess Astrid Falin, who was believed to look like a goddess. You do look like one." He added, raising his hand towards me meaning he wants to shake my hand.
SUCH A LIAR! I rarely don't accept compliments, and it was one of this time that I cannot stand to accept and be thankful to him for saying that.
I shook his hand and God, his hands are cold! And rough. It was turn off. It wasn't soft. Surprisingly, he brought my hand to his face and kissed the back of my palm. Oh, such a sweet gentleman, clearly anyone could fall in love with him but don't count me in.
Prince Henry looked towards Maxwell. "Prince Henry Walkins." He introduced himself casually, looking like he doesn't want to introduce himself to Maxwell. He raised his hand in front of the table in an attentive matter.
"Maxwell Falin." He shook his hand, and the atmosphere is tensing up. Well, THERE GOES MY VERY NORMAL AND POLITE BROTHER. I swear, my brother's eyes was full of daggers when he made eye contact with Prince Henry.
"Father, why exactly did you invite Prince Henry?" I spoke, making sure to add emphasis to the word 'exactly'. I know what the real reason is, but I asked in order to entertain our so-called guest.
Uhm, I just made a huge mistake. I shouldn't have asked, I SHOULD'NT HAVE CARED! Now, my father will think I'm desperate to get married!
"You already mentioned it a while ago, My princess." SEE THAT!? That, is a sign that I should hang myself up in a tree.
I'm now listing ways on how to be dead right at this moment.
"What do you mean?" It's getting scary now and I don't like it. Who wants to get married anyways when you just turned 18?
And I bet my other self will tell me how handsome this prince was. But still, my other self is still me so technically, I'm still the one who still admitted that Prince Henry was handsome if I say that.
"You already know what I'm saying. I want you both to get married!"
"WHAT!?" I jolted up from my seat surprised by the news he just told me.
I don't know why I'm still surprised even though I know exactly what he's going to say. I seriously want to deny the fact that I just heard that right at this moment, but I don't think any of this is a joke. My father most often brings up the marriage every time, but not that straightforwardly.
"You heard me. I want you two to get married. You're already 18, Astrid. Isn't that your excuse always? That you can't marry someone because you're still young? Well, today you turned 18, you can be legally married now."
"I-" I'm struggling to get words out of my mouth. Brother, I think it's the right time to help me. PLEASE HELP ME!
SOMEONE THROW ME IN A FIERY FURNACE! I don't want to get married. Marriage was in the very last of my what-I-want-to-do-in-life list. And the second to the last was having kids. And third to the last was finding love. BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE END WILL BE THE START!
"Father, shouldn't we let Astrid decide too? She's the one getting married, so we might as well let her make the decision." Maxwell said slicing the food on his plate to make it sound like a casual matter. He's my lifesaver. He's the reason I'm still alive at this moment, even though he could be the death of me.
"Well—" King Arthur got cut off by Maxwell with a phrase; A phrase that would hurt him deeply.
"Don't forget about what happened between you and mother." Maxwell turned up to King Arthur with a smirk.
I could feel the tension between them, and I was there standing, looking shocked. None of us brought up our mother on this table ever since she died. I admire his courage for bringing our mother up after ten years, especially when there's a guest.
"Just saying." Maxwell returned to eating his food while he said those words.
"I'm very sorry Prince Henry for our behavior. I hope you don't mind." I told Prince Henry trying to be polite. When it comes to my mother, my father's too emotional for that, because… It's complicated. They had a strong bond, so the fact that Sear just took her away, haunts us every time.
"It's fine. No worries." Prince Henry arranged a smile in front of me which I gladly returned. But mine was fake, trust me. I can't even stand to just look at him normally without it being fake.
Father stood up from his seat, getting ready to leave. Looks like someone is gonna be in trouble tonight. "Ok. That's it." He pointed in my direction. "You and Prince Henry, are gonna get married. No objections."
No. No, no, no, no, NO!
He turned around, and before he could even walk away, I ran towards him and stop him.
Kind human beings, please pray for me to succeed in convincing him to marry that man.
"But father, I want to decide for myself. Just like what you did." There goes my attempt.
"Astrid, you know that what I did was a mistake. If you made that decision, our ancestors might disown us for-"
"Real. Am I right? But you did it anyway." I looked straight into my father's eyes with a warm smile that can lighten up the whole room. But the king had no impression. Once he decides a big matter, there's no way you could change his mind.
"You, and Prince Henry… Are gonna get married in 3 months, and that's final." He made it loud enough for Prince Henry and Maxwell to hear. Who gets married in three months?
WHO GETS MARRIED IN THREE MONTHS?
Only 12 year-olds who gets a boyfriend or girlfriend swore to the stars that they'll marry each other in three months. Then in less than one month, they broke up.
"But Father—"
"No more buts. That's official. Now will you excuse me, I'm gonna go take a rest." My father then turned around and leave.
I was devastated. I don't want to get married. But now, I have to sit in a throne after three months with Prince Henry and live with him forever until I die. I looked around and saw Prince Henry smiling at me, While Maxwell looked at me trying to feel my sadness by taking a deep sigh. Us siblings both knew that we couldn't do anything about it, even if we wanted to.