After a surprising delightful picnic with serapina and prince draven by the waterfalls.
The fireflies danced haphazardly upon the wind. we decided to head back to the palace and get ready for tonight's festivities. Once again I fell into slumber due to the carriage rhythmic swaying. This time my face rest upon prince Draven's broad shoulders. He gingerly patted my head as I nuzzled into his jacket.
Sleep princess he whispered as I spent his familiar cologne. " Percival" I murmured in my sleep like state. " yes you will soon be reunited with your percival" he once again whispered. The carriage came to an abrupt stop at the door as I accidentally fell onto draven's lap.
Whoa there princess us all he had time to say as the carriage's door swing open. There stood a giddy king loren and percival.
See boy your brother knows his place and his duty! King loren stated as an audible growl reverberated from percival. Draven swiftly tossed me off his lap. I fell upon the hard carriage floor with a unlady like thud. Waking a slumbering seraphina she jolted up " what happened?
Nothing we both said in unison as I watched percival storm off to the woodline of the property. "Percy it's not how it looked"I called
As king loren gave me him hand to help me from the carriage
"Forget about percival's tanturms.Come princess let us get acquainted due to your going to be my daughter - in-law soon." I took his hand as I watched percival disappeared into the woods.
" Ok ,king Loren let's go for a stroll in the gardens the autumn air is nice these days" I muttered but really watching the tree line . King Loren lead me into the gardens the leaves in the bright colored leave have now changed from vibrant colors to a more richer hue . I picked up a malve leaf upon the hedge as we passed I rolled the leaf upon my fingertips.
I can already see your a competent and powerful ally for the outer land kingdom."King Loren bows and kissed my knuckles. I wanted to swiftly retract my hand from his grasp. For some reason he made my skin crawl as do lord Claudius does. "It is an honor you finally come out of mourning the late queen. now ready to unite our kingdoms through marriage. Have you chosen which one of my sons you have chosen to be your husband and king?
Umm how do I say this delicately .. I am very fond of all your sons. they all have their own special attributes and personalities.That I have come to love and admire . Some stand out to me more than others. I'm essence I have not chosen.. but they all have a place in my heart.
King Loren growled as his eyes ignited like Percival does when anger or stressed. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second before continuing. " that is a vague and general answer. Even though it's eloquently stated it does not answer my question."king Loren grasp my arm firmly.
Princess … which one ?
I said the first one that came to mind " Percival" his face dropped then instantly hardened. We let go of my arm as if my touch burned. "That is an unacceptable union.."
"Why he is my main suitor and blessed by my father for winning jojomundo ?"I asked as he started pacing ..
" choose charming Rhys, protective Draven, or even that stubborn kindhearted Xavier. Just not childish Percival .. he will bring your kingdom to ruins and your life in peril. In all essence He shouldn't have been conceived .. "king Loren admitted . My heart clutch inside my chest at the thought of Percival never existing. If you care anything for him..stop giving him hope! your only going to hurt him further. when he ultimately finds out the ugly truth .that the under dog never gets the girl or happy endings ".
"Your wrong Percival is the kindest,gentlest,and loyal Of all your sons"I countered . He once again he changed tactics as gripped my hands " princess I have to tell you this and it pains me to say this but I have seen a young gentleman leave your bed chambers in the early morning..
knowing this fact I fear Percival will not accept your nightly indiscretions. He pauses melodramatically "That you gave your innocence so easily to another . If he was so hurt and jealous when you fell upon Draven's lap .just think about how torn he will be when he finds out your not pure and cannot bear him an heir ." he smiles behind his hand at my gasp.
I ..,I stuttered I pulled my hands away" i have a dancing class to attend .. " I childishly whined as I stride away .
After the upsetting talk with king Loren in the garden . Knowing now my reputation would be in taters If the royal court would know that fact .That King Loren's knows that even though atlas was in my bed chamber . That he was seen sneaking out my chamber in early dawn. I had a mission if that king Loren will stop at nothing to make sure I don't choose Draven as my husband. I will have this night to remember for all the lonely nights to come.
Then I had no other choice but to strides into the ballroom . Draven had took it upon himself to teach us the proper way to dance. His broad shoulders stiff and locked into places they spun . I chuckled at his stiff body movements and the enraptured look upon seraphina's face.
My mind still wonders back to the conversation in the garden. Even if the facts are that my innocence is still intact . No one would believe my word over a king . I sighed It won't stop king Loren from exploiting the fact that we were unmarried. Also we were unsupervised in my bed chambers for many nights . I clinched my fists as I made my way towards the dance floor.
To my shock seraphina's hair did change from Draven' s touch.
They weren't soulmates!!! I inwardly cringed . My jealousy blinded me for a brief moment. Seraphina brazenly pulled Draven close and whispered something in his ear. He roared with laughter.
He held the lovely seraphina's indecently close as they danced. She smirked as pulled him tighter to her as I approached .I curtsied as I asked" May I cut in ?"
Seraphina's face dropped as Draven let go instantly at my request . He mouthed " thank you seraphina's for the dance." Seraphina's eyes narrowed and red spread across her face. what do you look like under this mask ?"i asked as I touched the cold iron. He pressed his hand upon mine trapping it upon his cheek.
instantly pictured Percival's handsome face. The same face I traced in the moonlight a night ago. I tried to pull my hand away from his. Even though the cold metal kissed my skin it still burned.
"You don't need lessons your very lite upon your feet"Draven said. " on a serious note did you explain it to Percival?"
"No your father told me to not choose.. Nevermind.."i coldly stated. He spun me once again"follow your heart because your the one to have to live with that choice. If all else fails choose me I will protect and love you like a sister. I do everything in my power that you will not have to marry lord claudius."
" thank you draven for saying that" I murmured. I knew in my heart that my heart hasn't been mine for some time now. Tonight I will confess my love.. I silently vowed as we bowed and he dismissed the class.