Prince Philippe remained at the palace for two more days.
I showed him around the palace and shared our customs with him. We shared meals together and engaged in various leisurely activities as we whiled the time away by talking.
In the afternoons, we'd stroll around the palace grounds. I even took him to some of my hiding spots from way back, but I never took him to my tree house. Somehow, it just didn't feel right.
I did sense some arrogance in him the more time we spent together. He was a bit pompous and demanding in the way he treated the servants. Well, except for the maids. His good looks and charm captured every girl's attention in the palace.
He also had a tendency to sound boastful, like when he talked about his fighting skills, saying he could take down an entire army on his own. Maybe he was just really proud of himself, which wasn't that bad, I guess.
Luca could definitely do better than him. But, of course, I didn't tell him that.
However, the only thing that mattered was how he treated me and how special he made me feel. Like I was the most important girl to him. I knew he was wooing me for my hand, but call me successfully wooed and captivated.
Was this love? I asked myself. Logically, it wasn't. How could anyone fall in love in just three days? It was just a silly infatuation. But I admit, I liked him very much. Excitement. Giddiness. Feelings I never knew I was capable of having for a boy. But, then again, he was more like a man than a boy.
I've grown. And I've changed.
Before I knew it, the time came for him to leave.
On his last night, we took a stroll in the moonlight. We sat side by side on a bench overlooking the dark, glassy pond that reflected the moon in the cloudless sky.
The three days were fun. I know I would miss him, but I didn't find it difficult parting with him.
Philippe subtly reached over and entwined his hand in mine. It caught me by surprise because we weren't allowed to be that close physically. We weren't even allowed to be alone, unsupervised. Even then, we were being watched. But because our backs were to our watchful supervisors, they couldn't see our held hands on my lap.
It was the first time he'd touched me without any cause for formality. It wasn't right, but I liked it. Maybe even thrilled me.
Philippe gently caressed my hand with his fingers as we both sat there, unmoving. I closed my eyes. Something new woke up inside me. Something that made my breathing hard and my heart beat fast.
"Lena, I will miss you," he said.
"Likewise," I breathed, too distracted by what he was doing.
He stared at me and smiled. He was definitely aware of the effect he had on me. I wouldn't be surprised if his experience with the opposite gender was the complete opposite of mine.
"You are so beautiful, Lena. My princess. And soon to be my wife, I hope."
"I… Thank you… But that is up to my father to decide, Philippe," I replied. Sadly, it was the truth. Even though I liked Philippe very much, the King would still have the final say.
"Then I will continue to pursue your hand," he said, flashing his charming smile. "You and I will become great rulers. I know it. I have to go back to my kingdom on the morrow. But soon I will return to see you again."
"Really?" I asked hopefully.
"Yes. Your eighteenth birthday is coming up in the fall, is it not?"
My heart soared. "So you will come, then?"
"Of course! And then, with it being a grand and populous affair…" He lifted my hand and softly kissed it, letting his lips graze my hand longer than necessary. "Maybe then, we could find the time to escape our ever-watchful guardians and be alone. Just you and me?" He locked his eyes on mine as he planted another kiss on the palm of my hand.
A thrill coursed through me, making me gasp. Yes. I would very much like to be alone with him. "Then, I shall await your return, Prince Philippe," I answered.
He left at dawn the following day with the promise of his return.
My mind often wandered to him. I would smile like an idiot as I stared blankly into space, thinking about him. Philippe. My prince.
Suddenly, marriage didn't seem so bad after all.
Still, it wasn't final.
Philippe was a good candidate to marry the crown princess of Ephemere, but there could be better matches. That was why I had to continue entertaining other suitors. My father's will, not mine.
And they did come during the months that followed. I graciously entertained them, as was required of me, but none of them could ever match up to Philippe. Maybe I just didn't bother trying to get to know them.
Generally, I've also become happier. I started taking my studies seriously. I wasn't entirely dreading my future anymore, knowing that there was a possibility that I would be paired with someone I liked. Governing an entire kingdom wouldn't be as frightening if I got along well with my future consort.
There was just one piece missing left.
Summer passed as soon as it came.
Then one morning, as I took a peek outside my window, I saw the lush foliage beginning to adopt the orange and red colors of sunset, signifying the arrival of autumn. I opened the window and shivered slightly as a cold breeze penetrated my skin through the thin fabric of my nightgown. I took a deep breath and smiled.
It was finally nearing the end of the two-year mark. It had been so long. I will finally see him again. The missing piece.
My bedroom doors opened and Cece popped inside.
"Good morning!" she greeted. "Well, you look happy. Extremely happy."
"I am," I admitted, my smile getting broader. I hugged her and shook her excitedly. "Oh, Cece, he's finally coming back!"
Her eyebrows rose. "Right. I know you missed him, but I didn't know you missed him that much," she said, prying my hands from her shoulders. "Goodness. You really are head over heels for him, Lena!"
"Huh?" I asked, confused. "Who are you talking about?"
"Prince Philippe, of course," Cece answered. "We're talking about him, aren't we? Aren't you excited to see him again on your birthday?"
"Oh." To be honest, I wasn't thinking about Philippe at all. "No, not him."
"Oh? Who is it, then? Don't tell me you've fallen for someone else?!"
"No! It's not like that! I'm talking about Luca."
"Luca? Isn't he your bodyguard? The one who left?"
"Yes, he's finally coming home, Cece! After two years!"
"Oh. I don't see why you're so excited about a guard."
I gave her an offended look. "No! He's not just a guard. He's my best friend. He's really cool. And nice, too. You'll like him, I promise!"
Cece rolled her eyes and smiled. "Okay. Is he good-looking at least?"
To be honest, I haven't really given much thought to Luca's physical appearance before. "Umm, I don't know. I guess so. I did notice a lot of the maids constantly giggling and staring at him."
"Oh?" Cece seemed a little interested. "Then, I look forward to meeting this Luca."
"Me too." It was important to me that they'd get along. My two closest friends. I could hardly wait! Just a bit longer and everything would be complete.
"Well, we already have enough boy matters to deal with. What difference does it make to add one more to the pool?" she mused teasingly.
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Heavens, Lena. Have you forgotten about your highly-regarded, expected visitor?"
"Visitor? Who?"
"Prince Alexandre, hello?" She pretended to knock on my head. "Oh, you know. Just the younger brother of the crowned prince of Allore, just, you know, one of the biggest kingdoms on the mainland?"
I rolled my eyes at her sarcasm. Great. Another suitor.
"When is he coming?" I muttered.
Cece was still looking at me in disbelief. "He'll be attending your birthday, I believe. In fact, I heard he's arriving a day or two early as well."
"What?!" I fell back on my bed and groaned. "But Philippe's also coming two days early!"
"Wouldn't it be nice to have two princes fighting over you?" Cece scoffed.
"I'd trade places with you any day, Cece."
Philippe, I was excited for. But another one? I couldn't believe I had to deal with two suitors at the same time. I had no choice. I knew I had to entertain both. But what if…
I sat up. "Cece! I have an idea! What if you entertain this new prince while I stay with Philippe? You know, it would be like hitting two birds with one stone."
"Lena, are you mad?" she exclaimed. "No way! Prince Alexandre is your most viable match. The unification of both our kingdoms is most beneficial. Charmant is nothing compared to the Kingdom of Allore. Respectfully," she added quickly when she saw my offended reaction. "Besides, I'm just a lowly daughter of a baron; I don't have any right to entertain a prince."
"Don't say that," I scolded her. "You are a proud and beautiful noblewoman. Who said you can't talk to anyone you like?"
"Look, you have to keep him company, Lena."
"But what about Philippe?" I complained.
"You'll just have to find some way to deal with it."
I sighed. Suddenly, I wasn't so happy anymore.