The palace gate opened, and the long car belonging to the Delloui Jackwell family entered smoothly, followed by several cars that also came together. In the car, Louisa was quiet and didn't say much.
Her face was even. How many times did her father grumble when he saw his daughter's puffy eyes who had been crying? How many make-up artists were ordered to cover up Louisa's swollen face until she succeeded?
Although she managed to hide her sadness, the friendly and smiling Louisa suddenly had an expressionless face.
"Smile honey, don't be like that," complained the mommy who whispered to her.
Louisa still didn't change her facial expression until her father's firm baritone voice insisted. "If you don't want to smile, I'll pull your lips to the side!"
Instead of smiling, Louisa scowled even more, making her two older siblings have to persuade the younger sister who was still stubborn.
"Princess, come on show your charm. Aren't you the most beautiful among the other Princesses," Marshawn praised her.
"And the most independent among the others. Your wealth with your efforts can support 100 families, grandma is very proud of you but you frown instead, you want your disgrace to be known by Princess Amora who hates you," continued Hayder, her second older brother.
Hearing her competitor's name being called made Louisa slightly affected. Her hard face softened a little and then tried to smile when the palace service opened their car door.
"Welcome, Prince Louis and family."
They walked inside the living room before heading to the dining room. The sound of laughter from men and women could be heard in their ears and indicated that the whole family was present at this matchmaking event. When they reached the living room, a warm welcome headed straight for Louisa.
"Congratulations dear, Harry Brooklyn is coveted of all noble ladies and he chose you."
At first, Louisa was a little surprised, why was there the word 'choose' instead of an arranged marriage?
"They were matched since childhood, you just don't know," interrupted another correct.
Even though Louisa had no chance to refuse because Harry had already chosen her. This time he would try to negotiate with Harry who might have a woman to love.
"Come on honey, let's join your cousins there." said someone take to her.
Louisa was a little embarrassed to see Amora who was already glaring at her cynically from a distance. From the beginning, her cousin never considered her family the toughest rival to beat. Amora's assets and hers are only one million pounds apart, which makes Amora even more furious at her.
"Louisa, congrats baby." Each of her other cousins congratulated her except for Amora who was still staring in all directions.
Knowing that Amora also likes Harry, there is a sense of pride in her, who always wins because she has been arranged, but it would be even more interesting if she could compete for real. Louisa walked closer to Amora, feeling that Amora approached her, straightened her body arrogantly, and looked at Louisa lightly.
"You didn't congratulate me?" said Louisa. Amora sighed harshly, rolled her eyes lazily.
Then she replied, "Why should I congratulate people who don't do anything."
"You like him, take it if you can," Louisa replied lightly and turned around leaving Amora who tightly clenched her fists.
"Hey, Princess Louisa, you challenge me?" she asked,
Louisa smiled, it sounded fun to irritate Amora even more. "Yes, I challenge you, what if we reveal it at the event later, do you dare."
Amora's face was quite tense because, the decision that had been made by the Queen Mother was absolute and could not be contested, especially since Louisa's arranged marriage had been implemented for a long time and only now, how to change things that had not been legally announced to the wider community.
The small debate between Louisa and Amora caught the attention of everyone in the room, especially those on the same level as her.
While the parents who were busy talking suddenly stopped talking when they felt quiet, they didn't make a fuss, especially when they saw Louisa and Amora facing each other at a considerable distance.
"What is this Princess?"
The Duchess asked everyone around them. No one answered until finally, Amora spoke loudly. "Princess Louisa wanted some competition for Baron Brooklyn because arranged marriages didn't appeal to her."
"Is that true?" answered a man with his melodious voice.
Everyone immediately turned to him. The owner of the voice smiled as he bowed respectfully in front of everyone. Feeling himself being talked about, he must take responsibility for everything.
Louisa's parents pursed their lips inward, afraid that their daughter was looking for trouble while her two older brothers kept monitoring Louisa's movements which were always unpredictable.
The Brooklyn Baron, who is a peerage and family last name, has the real name Harry walking up to Louisa and Amora who were still standing in place. His first greeting fell on Louisa.
"Nice to meet you, Princess Louisa."
Louisa returned her greeting with a royal bow of her head and half of her body bowed. "Nice to have you here today Mr. Harry."
Harry's eyes couldn't leave Louisa's beautiful face and of course, it made Amora hotter and hotter.
"May I know, what are you arguing about and we find a solution together."
No one answered his question until an announcement came from a palace guard, that the Queen Mother was waiting in the palace banquet dining room. Harry walked up to Louisa in a preamble stage of introductions because they had never
before even though they had been betrothed since childhood.
"I heard that you manage hotels in Hawaii, don't you feel hot because the air is different there," Harry said with a smile.
"No, actually it's fun. I've been in the freezing point for so long that it's hard to find the sun to bask in," Louisa answered while staring at Harry.
"Oh yeah that's not good for single people, maybe a partner would be more fun," said Harry looking enthusiastic in this chat.
"Not really," Louisa said with a laugh, it turned out that talking to Harry was quite enjoyable. There's a bit of humor to her credit, even though they'd only known each other a few minutes ago.
The event was opened with remarks by the Queen Mother who was the elder. After she finished greeting, the lunch dishes were served one by one by the palace maids from the appetizer, the main menu to the dessert. After the meal was finished, the Baron and the Duke gave each other greetings introducing themselves and their families until finally the engagement day was determined.
"Before we determine whether the party concerned wants to speak out opinion."
At that, Harry raised his hand and was invited to speak. Without hesitation, Harry displayed his skill at speaking the words that defined who he was and what his job was to everyone present in the dining room.
As the youngest Mayor in the country this made him look dignified and firm, Louisa was quite fascinated by the way he spoke. If only she had not been captivated by a man, maybe she would be very happy if she was set up with Harry.
"Before we get engaged, it's a good idea for the family to convey positive and negative input about our match, whether something is wrong or there are objections. It was at that moment that Amora raised her hand, and was given the opportunity by Harry to speak.
"Please, Princess."
Without a long preamble, Amora said, "I object to this match because a man with royal blood should marry the right woman, moreover he has to protect the Mayor, then what about Princess Louisa, who is too fond of working to pursue a career and doesn't understand what is needed the people. Never attends charity events, and never shows herself in front of people. Can she serve people who need help?"
All eyes turned towards Louisa who only smiled faintly, in her heart screaming, "Good Amora cancel my wedding and take him from me!"