"He's here, Lena!" Cece whispered excitedly.
"Shush!" I hissed back.
I was seated on the dais of the great hall, awaiting the arrival of the prince. Cece was standing next to me, attending as my lady-in-waiting. I wanted her there for moral support.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Philippe of the Kingdom of Charmant has arrived!" the herald announced.
The giant double doors at the far end opened and a group of people entered, led by who I assumed was the prince, followed by his entourage, who carried various-sized chests and boxes. Gifts.
I heard Cece gasp, as well as surprised "oohs" from the maids standing behind us. Cece elbowed me discreetly. I glanced at her and she gave me a wide-eyed, meaningful look. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the approaching prince. I wasn't surprised by the girls' reaction.
The prince was gorgeous in every definition. He was tall and strapping, with curly blonde hair that framed his chiseled face perfectly. He had dazzling green eyes beneath thick, blonde lashes. His skin glowed, as if he spent a lot of time in the sun. Unlike me. Being out in the sun for too long does nothing to my pasty skin.
He bowed elegantly when he reached the foot of the dais and gave me a dashing smile, displaying his perfect white teeth. I heard more sighs behind me. Besotted. That was the perfect word to describe the sighs coming from the girls.
I swallowed. I had never felt nervous about a courtship before.
"Thank you for receiving me, Princess Elena," he spoke in a deep, smooth voice. Something fluttered inside me. I liked the way he said my name. My grip on my chair tightened.
"The pleasure is mine, Prince Philippe," I replied calmly, even though my insides were going wild.
Prince Philippe approached me and held out his hand. I pried my cold hand from the arm of my chair and held it out, which he took in his own. He planted a soft kiss on the back of my hand, sending shivers through my body, before flashing his brilliant smile at me, his gaze boring into me, pulling me in.
I couldn't take it. I looked away as I felt my face get warm. I was overwhelmed. Not one of my suitors had ever made me feel this way by their mere presence. I prayed he wouldn't hear how loud my heart was beating in my chest.
"I have brought you gifts." He snapped his fingers to call the attention of his entourage.
It also snapped me out of my confusion.
I willed myself to calm down as I politely accepted his gifts. It was a lot. Chests of silk and cashmere, boxes of jeweled hair adornments, decadent treats native to his kingdom, as well as caskets of imported tea leaves. I didn't really absorb everything I saw. I was too busy stealing glances at the gorgeous prince. It was hard not to.
Attraction. That's what it was. I realized I was attracted to him. Very attracted. I couldn't stop looking at him. I also caught him staring at me several times, but I was always the first one to look away. I bit my lip to hide my smile as we waited for the presentation of gifts to be over.
"Thank you, Prince Philippe. Your gifts are very much appreciated," I said after the last box was presented. "You must be tired from your long journey. Please, you should retire to your quarters and have some rest for the moment."
The prince's kingdom was leagues away. As a courtesy, we have given him and his entourage accommodation in the palace, where he will be staying for a few days before traveling back to his kingdom. It somewhat pleased me, knowing he wasn't leaving yet.
"Thank you kindly, Princess. But only for the moment," he said softly. "I trust I'll be seeing you sooner rather than later?"
"Yes, of course," I mumbled. "If that is what you wish. I will see you soon."
"Soon, then." He gave me another smile that melted my insides before the steward led him and his entourage outside to show them their temporary quarters.
As soon as their footsteps disappeared, Cece shook me excitedly.
"He is so handsome, Lena!" she squealed. "Oh my God!"
I giggled, sharing her excitement.
"He is definitely the one!"
"Shush! We don't know that yet. Get a hold of yourself," I scolded, even though I was also trying my best to keep my giddiness from showing.
I was to see the prince later that afternoon. I was excited but also nervous. It was strange. I wanted to see him, but I was also afraid to see him. It gave me anxiety.
"Princess Elena," he greeted, looking as gorgeous as ever when we met up in the foyer. He was tall, about a head taller than me. But then again, I wasn't blessed with height. Most people tower over me.
"Hello, Prince Philippe. Please, call me Lena," I said automatically.
He smiled. "Then, call me Philippe."
We strolled down the gardens. We were both quiet at first. My maids-in-waiting and the prince's attendants were following some distance behind us, but it still felt like it was just the two of us. I was so nervous!
"How was your trip?" I finally asked him.
"It was long and a bit taxing," he replied. "But it was well worth it," he finished with a smile.
I smiled back shyly. "Charmant is pretty far out, is it not?"
For the life of me, I could not remember where it was situated on the mainland. I should've paid attention to geography lessons.
"Yes, it is quite far. The journey only took three days and a half since our horses were very fast."
"I've never been outside of Ephemere," I admitted. Or even outside the palace, I added silently.
"Really?"
"Yes. There wasn't really any reason to leave. But soon, my duties will take me outside, I hope."
He chuckled. "You want to leave? See the world? Go on an adventure?"
"Yes!" I answered, a little too excitedly, and then I reprimanded myself for my 'unprincess-like' behavior. "Sorry," I muttered.
"Oh, please don't apologize, Princess," he said quickly. "I like your enthusiasm."
"Call me Lena, please."
"Lena," he said with a smile. Once again, it excited me.
We passed by a tall bush of roses and I stopped to smell them. "Tell me about Charmant, Philippe."
He told me about his kingdom, his people, and his customs. He indulged my curiosity and answered all of my questions. He easily made me feel comfortable. He brushed on the topic about the benefits of the alliance between our kingdoms but then quickly changed it to something else when he sensed I didn't want to talk about it.
"Now, enough about me," he said after he'd answered my hundredth question. "I want to know more about you."
"Me?" I asked in surprise. "I mean, what's there to know? I'm pretty sure you already know about me."
He laughed. "Yes, I know you are the princess, Lena. But I want to know who you are. What you like to do. Your favorites, your hobbies, you know. I just want to get to know you."
I stared at him. Am I dreaming? Philippe was ticking all of the right boxes. Was he really the one?
I began talking about generic things I liked that were expected of me, like music and the arts, but he was attentive and seemed really interested, so I told him more. It was very easy to talk to him. Turns out, we also have a lot in common. I told him about my endeavors some time ago of oftentimes escaping the palace. Apparently, he also did the same. He was in the same boat as I was. A child born into royalty.
Soon, we were laughing about relatable things. He was very funny. And charming. And have I mentioned gorgeous? Everything about him was perfect. I couldn't help noticing the muscles on his shoulder peeking beneath the collar of his immaculate white shirt.
We were having such a good time that we barely noticed that night had fallen. A servant came by bearing a message for the prince, saying he was summoned to join my father for supper. Probably to talk about the reason why he was here and discuss alliances.
"Are you not joining us, Lena?" Philippe asked.
"No, thank you," I said quickly. I've never taken part in those talks and I have no intention of changing that.
He looked disappointed for a second, but then he smiled and stared at me, making my heart skip a beat.
"What?" I asked, feeling extremely conscious.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Forgive me, Princess," he said, glancing away shyly. "It is true, what they say."
"What do they say?"
His emerald green eyes locked on mine. "I have heard about your beauty, but their words do not do you justice. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever laid my eyes upon."
I looked away in embarrassment as my cheeks flushed with pleasure. It was a simple compliment, but since it came from him, it just hit differently. I liked it.
"You don't have to lie," I mumbled.
"I'm not." He gently brushed his fingers on my chin and tipped my head upward so he could stare right into my eyes. "I hope you would consider marrying me, Lena."
My breath caught in my throat. Why was it so hard to breathe? I stared at his handsome face, his eyes, his lips. His lips were very full. They looked soft. They curled up in a smile.
"I'll be seeing you tomorrow, I hope?" he whispered.
"Y–yes. Tomorrow," I stammered.
"Have a good night, Lena."
"Y–you too."
As soon as he left, I reached out to a nearby tree for support before I could collapse. I had forgotten how to breathe. I breathed.
Cece appeared from wherever she was hiding and helped me up. She had a knowing smile on her face and as soon as our eyes made contact, we both burst into excited girlish giggles.
"Lena, you are so besotted!" she teased.
"Will you please stop using that word?" I grumbled. "Now, let's go and eat. I'm starving."
I dragged her away before I succumbed to fantasies filled with images of the prince that had completely besotted me.