Guards and servants surrounded us on our way to the room. There are too many watchers and witnesses. No way to escape if I succeed in killing him. Ah! I know a way. There is a window down the hallway. If I am lucky and fast enough, I could jump from the window once I am done with him— And have a few broken bones, or worse, a cracked skull. That is not happening. He is not worth it.
Night time. That's right. I would suffocate him with a pillow when he falls asleep and watch him take his breath. Nobody would suspect a thing.
"Earth to you, princess!" A familiar voice pulls me out of my reverie. I turned to see my intended standing beside me. Seeing my questioning gaze, he added, "What have you thinking so hard, Princess?" The look in his eyes told me he certainly wasn't interested in what I was thinking.
"What do you want this time around? Was cutting my breakfast short not enough for you?" Ispat my angry words at him without restraint.
He did his infamous brow-raising thing. It seems to be the only expression he is capable of, "How rude. I said I want to see your room first."
"Why?" I asked impatiently.
"Because I want to. Is it a crime for me to want to see the room of my wife-to-be?"
Oh, it is a crime. It is more than a crime!
Looking into his dark eyes, I could tell there was more to his sudden interest in my room. But what could it be? He definitely doesn't want to steal some of my undies or dresses— most of them are over ten years old. Jewellery? I have none. What could he possibly want? "What are you up to?" I asked, only to receive a flat look in response. From the corner of my eyes, I sighted Ruth, who kept giving me eye signals I didn't understand at first until it clicked. "Fine, suit yourself." I allowed the maids to take the lead because I didn't know the new room.
I glanced at my intended and couldn't help but giggle to myself. If only the poor man knew what was going on in my head a few minutes ago, he would run for his dear life. None of us tried to make small talk as the journey to the unknown room was filled with silence except for the sound of our footsteps that announced our presence.
Finally, inside the room, my jaw nearly hit the floor. Am I dreaming? What is with all these assorted dresses and shoes? A new bed that is twice the size of my actual bed? Pristine bedsheets without holes in them? And a sparkly floor? A jewellery box? New undies? Perfumes? Nightwears? New combs? New Hair pins? Let us not forget that the room is twice the size of my actual room.
Wow. I must give it to my uncle and his wife. Arranging all these just to impress one man? Incredible! Or is it part of the tradition? Ah, that must be it because I don't know how else to explain the situation.
Is he impressed by the room? He should be. This is a typical princess room.
I dropped the hairpin I had been admiring earlier on the dresser and turned around to gauge his reaction, only to find him staring at me, intently, if I may add. "So, what do you think?"
Looking as bored as ever, he said, "I should be asking you that."
"What do you mean?"
He turned away and strode towards the vanity table, "You seem more fascinated by your room than I am."
Oh. I am fascinated because this is also my first time seeing the room. I was tempted to say. Why is he so observant?
"What are you talking about? I am always fascinated by my room every time I see it. In other words, I can't get enough of it."
He threw me a side glance, "I see."
I smiled at his back, "You do? The eyes are wonderful, are they not?"
He turned, facing me this time around. He began, "For an artist, I expected your room to be full of drawings, paints, brushes etc." He paused and then continued, "This room is spotless."
Glaring at him, I said, "You know, for someone who could barely let out more than two words earlier, you sure do talk too much. And to answer your question, I do my drawings in a separate room." Which happens to be my actual room. His eyes bore into mine as if he could see through my blank lies. Why does his eyes say more than his mouth? When I couldn't hold his gaze anymore, I lowered my eyes to his shoulder. They are quite broad and manly. "What did you want to talk about?"
"I need another drawing of the beast." He announced it like it was the most casual thing in the world.
"A drawing? Why? Did something happen?"
"No." Came his one-word reply.
"Does it have anything to do with the murder you are here to investigate?"
"No."
"I don't believe you." Instead of his one-word reply, he graced me with his favourite facial expression.
"Good for you. I would be back to take it this evening."
"Is the beast in our kingdom?"
"No."
I swear, one more 'No,' from him, I will separate his head from his neck. "So what do you need it for?"
"I believe you have encountered this beast before, correct? Make sure to give it more colour this time around."
Goodness, I hate him so much right now. Why did he suddenly decide to be the one-word man again?
I looked at him in disbelief, "I hate you. You know that, right?"
"The feeling is mutual." We glared at each other, or more like, I glared at him while he maintained his bored look.
"I am not giving you any drawing until you explain things to me!" He did that eyebrow thing again, infuriating me the more, "Get out of my room!"
Looking as proud as ever, he turned around and strode towards the door, but not before saying, "It is not even your room."
Out of anger, I picked one of the hairpins on the table and hurled it at him. Luckily for him, he was already out of the room, causing the object to hit the door and land on the floor with a thud.
Argh!
How am I supposed to live with that man after the marriage?
Will I be able to survive it?
Just the thought of seeing him again makes me want to pull my hair from its roots.