- Yes... of course- I smiled as if it was all true and cried as if I was surprised, I didn't know, until then, my acting power.
James put the ring on my finger and thought that the scene deserved more emotion. He took my face lightly and caressed it, moved his hand to the back of my neck and came closer. Suddenly everything seemed to stop, I heard no voices, I heard nothing else, just me and James was in the world.
I only realized that I had never done this when I felt the new sensations that invaded me. It wasn't magical, in fact, I found it quick and false. But still, it was my first kiss.
He ended it with a kiss, and everyone was awestruck. King Michel looked pleased, and my mother thought it was the cutest thing.
I only woke up from my trance when I heard the most annoying voice speak from the loudest voice in the room.
- You can't do this to me! Auntie, you promised me that...
- Juliet, stop your whining! -Shouted the queen getting excited, besides not running, I guess queens shouldn't shout, right?
- What's all the fuss about? Stela, what did you promise her?
- Do you speak or do I speak auntie? - seeing that her aunt had no reaction, she said, "Auntie promised me to marry James, to prevent him from being with a commoner." Juliet spat the words as if the world was going to end and she had to drop this last bomb.
I was surprised, stagnant, but I didn't express any reaction. My mother looked at me and whispered a "Is everything okay?" That only I could hear. I nodded my head without anyone noticing, and she sighed heavily. She said something in my sister's ear, who soon turned away and went to play with the birds.
- Your Majesty, seeing that this is a family matter, I ask your permission to withdraw and go to the quarters assigned to me and my daughter.
- You had better leave anyway, then we will celebrate in the best possible way.
My mother came to me and gave me a hug, said "Good luck" in my ear, and left.
The king ordered the guards to take Juliet back to the castle and only then addressed us.
- Don't let this get in the way of your engagement - he told us with a smile and then turned serious again - Stela, I never thought you could do this. It seems that you don't remember where you came from, or you forgot that you were also "a simple commoner" - the king said sad and desolate, he was really hurt. I realized there that Stela was not always the monster she is today.
James and I just looked at each other, I was very scared and he was surprised.
- Let's let them sort themselves out, let's go for a walk," James whispered in my ear, giving me goose bumps again.
I nodded and we left without them noticing.
We arrived at a very secluded part of the garden.
- I apologize for Juliet and everything that happened there- He said ashamed of his cousin's attitude.
- Hey, no need...you just have an overprotective mother.
- No, I don't- James confused me- she's not my mother, the real one died when I was born- James was serious but now his eyes were watering.
- You don't have to tell her if you don't want to- I said trying to spare him, I didn't want him to be sad, even more so in front of me, I wouldn't know what to do.
- No, I need to tell someone. When I was one or two years old, my father remarried, to her. We are not very attached because of this, she never liked me, she is only concerned about my father's inheritance. That's why she doesn't want me to marry you, but Juliet. If I married Juliet, dead or alive, I would be giving everything we have to her family.
I was surprised that his story was so similar to mine, he had no mother and I had no father. And I always thought that a prince's life was perfect and without so many difficulties.
I couldn't say anything, because I didn't know what to say. So on impulse, I just hugged him.
He was static for a while, but then he hugged me back, very tight. We were very close, so I realized that the hug had taken too long and I decided to pull away but he didn't let me go too far.
- Thank you Milly, for everything- He hugged me again.