Looking around the hall, I didn't see Ava or any of my siblings around. As I was about leave, someone blocked my path, the girl from earlier.
she forced a smile onto her face, "Congratulations, Princess Gwendolyn, is it?"
I smiled at her, "Thanks, Princess..." I cocked my head to the side, waiting for her to introduce herself.
"Emmanuella. Princess Emmanuella." She introduced herself.
I nodded, "Okay. Thank you, Princess Emmauella,"
She cocked her head to the side, "Who are you?"
Who am I? What sort of question is that?
"As you already know, I am Princess Gwendolyn."
She nodded, her eyes intently watching me, "Hmm. I haven't heard anything about you before. From which kingdom?"
I smiled at her, "Eh, my father's kingdom?"
She chuckled dryly, "How did you do it?"
I raised one of my brows at her, "How did I do what?"
Taking one step closer to me, she said, "I was so sure I was going to win."
"Maybe next time, you shouldn't get your hopes so high."
I tried to side-step her, but she blocked me, "Don't get pompous now. It seems you don't know who you are dealing with. The Prince is mine."
I laughed at her little stunt when in truth, I almost puked my intestines out seeing her act like this over a man. "You can have him all to yourself, but you have to wait till I am done with him, okay?"
She looked completely confused, giving me time to side-step her and successfully walk away. Trying as much as possible to avoid people, I almost made it to the exit when someone abruptly stopped in front of me, causing me to bump into the person. Well, that strong chest should belong to HIM. Before my bum could kiss the floor for the second time this evening, I felt a firm hold on my arm, helping me regain my balance.
"Are you okay?" Asked one of the most pleasant voices I have ever heard. I looked up to see the most beautiful sky-blue eyes I have ever seen in my entire life. "Milady?"
Realizing I was staring too much at the man, I cleared my throat and took a step back, "Yes, I am fine, thank you."
His perfect brows drew together in genuine concern, "Are you sure?"
I nodded as I took a closer look at him. Unlike others in this hall, he is dressed in a loose plain tunic and pants. His hair was messy like he hadn't combed it for a couple of days, but that didn't make him look any less beautiful and rugged.
"Yes, I am fine, thanks."
"I am glad to know that. You should always watch where you are going, or you might end up hurting yourself." He smiled at me, showing off his perfect white teeth as his eyes took in my appearance.
Not liking the fact he was pushing all the blame on me, I said, "Same goes for you. You weren't equally watching where you were going. If you hadn't stopped how you did, I would have been fine."
I didn't miss the curiosity that crept into his eyes as he stared back at me. All of a sudden, his smile broadened, surprising me, "Touche. My apologies."
Well, I wasn't expecting that. I had already prepared to put up a fight but it seems for once in my life, I have seen a man with manners. "Apology accepted."
"Thank you. I haven't seen you before—"
"Rob!" A man interrupted him, grabbing our attention. We turned towards the direction of the voice and saw a burly man that should be in his late sixties (60s) walking towards us in confident strides and a blinding smile.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw the man I learnt his name to be Rob, let out a few incoherent words before turning towards the man with an equally blinding smile. "Please, excuse me for a moment." I nodded and watched him meet the man halfway, "Lord Maxwell, what a pleasant surprise to see you here!"
"Yes, it is indeed a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see you here today." The two of them shared a friendly handshake. "I thought you were on leave." Lord Maxwell asked,
"I am. Something came up."
"Oh, I hope it was nothing serious."
"No, it wasn't,"
As if noticing me for the first time, Lord Maxwell turned towards me, and the corners of his lips tipped further, "Is that who I think it is?"
I bit my tongue from saying something unladylike and instead settled for smiling, "It depends,"
"You know her?" Rob arched one of his perfect brows raised in confusion.
"Of course! Who doesn't?"
In fast strides, the man was standing in front of me before turning to Rob, "Your Highness, I want to congratulate you,"
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
I watched in satisfaction as Rob's eyes slightly widened in realization, "Oh,"
Lord Maxwell turned towards Rob, "I will see you around, Rob. I will leave you now to enjoy your evening." Turning towards me, he bowed and left but not before patting Rob on the back like a kid.
"So, I am talking to the possible future Queen of Almor Kingdom?"
"I believe so,"
Very slowly, I watched the warmth in his eyes get replaced with a serious one, "Um, Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"I look forward to working for you, your Highness." He gave a curt bow,
I couldn't help but repeat his words, "Working for me?"
"Yes,"
Before I could make more inquiries, I saw a familiar figure at the exit of the hall, glaring at me.
"Please, excuse me. I have some pending issues to address right now."
"Okay," I was already on my way out before he could finish his reply.
Reaching the hallway, I searched for my pending issue, but she was nowhere in sight. I continued walking in the hallway, opening doors to every room I came across, hoping to find her, when someone suddenly grabbed my hand and pushed me into an empty room. Before I could regain my balance or defend myself, I felt the person's palm collide with my cheeks, making my head whip to the side.
Oh my, I haven't even married the Prince yet and I am already being attacked.
"How dare you!"