Did he adore her?
Of course not.
Impossible.
Why would he? She was but a slave bought for he's amusement and a tool for whatever plans he had. "I think there is a misunderstanding, your brother doesn't adore me, I am but a doll in he's eyes, a pet for jest."
She lifted her cup to her lips taking a little sip, it was sweet, like honey but... green. She couldn't explain it right.
Aeliana shrugged taking a bite from a brisket, "I do hope he takes you as a bride. Oh wouldn't that be fun?" She gasped. "We'd be sisters!"
Katrin watched the smile on Aeliana's lips, bewildered. To her this princess was unhinged, probably the whole family was unhinged? "I don't think that would happen Princess."
"Oh please call me Aeliana, we'll be family soon." Katrin's jaw ticked, this was getting annoying. "Princess Aeliana is just fine and your brother and I have nothing in common, in fact I have a feeling he'd rather be fed to the beasts than marry me." She stood to her feet dropping her cup to the table, "I'll be on my way now, it was nice having a chat with you, Princess."
Katrin bowed to her before heading out, leaving the princess in the dusty old room.
*
That afternoon Katrin awoke from her bed gasping, she covered in sweat and her eyes were darting around the room in fear.
What was that?
A dream?
But it felt so real, she placed her hand around her neck, still feeling the pain from when the darkness choked her, coughing she reached for the tumbler at the bed stand, taking huge gulps.
Her head was spinning as she went over the contents of her dream - nightmare - one second she was walking through a brightly lit corridor and the next she heard a voice call out to her before being enveloped in a cloud like darkness.
She felt the cold drops sweat flow down her back and she shivered yet she was craving a cold bath.
As if on cue her doors opened and two maids rushed in, "Afternoon my lady, we've come to draw you a bath."
Katrin blinked at them confused, "pardon?"
"Would you like a warm or hot bath ma'am?" The second maid asked, moving to her wardrobe to bring out the towels
It took a while for the questions to register before she answered "co-cold please."
Yes cold, she needed that.
As she slipped into the perfect water she let out a sign, her chest felt lighter and she proceeded to sink in till just her nose upwards was above the surface.
She wondered how late in the afternoon is was, how long had she been asleep? Breathing out she watched the bubbles come to form, popping around the floating bottle attached to her neck. She watched the yellow liquid dance for a while before letting out a big sigh into the water and sitting up. What was going on? She felt off, there's was nothing going through her mind except that awful nightmare.
The rose petals in the water floated around her but today she didn't feel like she wanted them, she use her hands to create waves moving them away till the water was clear.
After a few more minutes she stepped out of the bath, taking a towel to wrap it round her. The moment she entered the room the maids immediately came to her aid and got her dressed, she'd gotten used to it now, being waited on; and it somehow made her feel bad.
She looked beautiful, at least her reflection did, she was dressed in a flowing pink dress and gold jewelries her shoes whiter than the clouds, her hair was styled with thin plaiting from the center of the front to the back while the rest was left to flow down her back adorned with beautiful clips. Though she wondered why she had to get all dressed up for lunch.
Once the maids were done they stepped back and admired their work, looking proud. "Lacy call the guard to escort her to the dinning hall."
Dinning hall?
Was she having lunch with the royal family, her stomach turned. That didn't sit well with her. But could she complain?
No.
It was the Elven royal family after all. So she followed the guard through the usual route and to the huge doors. The doors opened and immediately her feet froze in place, what was this?
The dinning hall was filled, there were people she'd never seen before sitting at the usually unoccupied seats. They looked so regal, probably or royals. She felt out of place.
Off the corner of her frozen eyes she watched Ethan stand from he's sit and some to her side, he's hand went to the small of her back and she felt her spine tingle, what was going on.
"Distinguished guest," there was smile in he's voice a mischievous one, "let me introduce my fiancée, Lady Katrin Clunch of Kornicus."
....
Two Hours Ago
We have decided to engaged you to Sylara, we are tired of waiting for you to find a bride." The Queen spoke softly to her adopted son, her eyes filled with hope, hope that he would except this proposal.
"You have to be joking?" Aeliana cut in before her brothers could answer, "you are forcing him to marry that- that witch."
"Watch your tongue Aeliana, she is your friend and her family are great allies to our realm."
"That girl is not my friend," Aeliana scoffed at her father, she didn't mind the consequences, "We all know I despise her and that she only claims to be my friend in other to get close to Ethan, she'd push my of a ledge if she had the chance."
"Aeliana that's enough." Felix warned.
"But brother, they..."
"Enough."
She looked between her brothers, they looked so calm, too calm. This can't be happening, this wasn't what she saw in the vision, something isn't right.
The King sighed as if he was relieved, Since Ethan has no objections we've already sent out invites to the royal officials and other Elites they'll be arriving for lunch this afternoon and..."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you father, but I will not be getting engaged to Princess Sylara," there was a long pause and everyone waited, "For I am already engaged."
.....
The words rang through her ears, she felt lost. Fiancee? Lady? Since when has those titles belong to her. And it came from he's mouth, just this morning she was to call him Master and now what? Honey?
Things are going too fast, the room was spinning, she was going to faint, die and go to...
"Relax, Ethan's calm cool voice sounded next to her ear, pulling her out of the spiral. "Just go along with it."
Along with what?
With this? What even was this?
"Just bow to them and then follow me to our seats." She obeyed, she didn't know how but her body was able to do what he told her and she soon found herself at her seat with the eyes of everyone at the dinning fixed on her.
It hadn't been an hour since she woke up from her sleep - her nightmare - Only to be led into a real one, one where it looked like Princess Sylara wanted to choke her to death, what had she done?Aside probably, unintentionally stealing the man of her dreams, what had she done really?
She felt a small poke in her arm and turned to find Aeliana smiling at her, "I told you." She mouthed before turning back to conversation with another guest.
While the food was being served, Katrin turned to Ethan not being able to hold back anymore, "What is going on here? Why are we suddenly engaged? Why-"
Ethan shot her a calm but sharp look and she immediately went quiet and turned away from his blue crystal eyes. "Keep calm, I'll explain after the meal." He replied before facing forward.
There was a clinking sound in the air shortly after and everyone turned their attention to the king. "I welcome you all into my realm, thank you for being able to make it her today. As today we are here to celebrate my son, Ethan, The duke of Winston, and he's engagement to Lady Katrin." There was a pause for applause before he continued. "Their wedding will be held two weeks from now and then the couple will move to Ethan's house in the Winston. I do hope all of you can make it on that special day, and without further announcements we can begin our lunch." He ended he's speech and sat down and immediately the servers moved to fill up the glasses with wine.
Lunch went on peacefully, except once in a while Ethan would turn to feed her a piece of meat or to wipe the edge of her lips and each time her could feel her heart shake and butterflies rise in her belly.
No Katrin, stop your stupid heart. She warned herself mentally.
Once again Ethan turned to her, he's hand reached out wiped off a drop of wine that had been rolling down her chin, but instead of wiping it onto a napkin her placed he's tumb into he's mouth and sucked.
Katrin watched he's actions with widened eyes, she would have turned to dust if not for the loud clatter that followed this action. Princess Sylara had enough of the couples show and her hit the table standing up in anger. Her mother pulled at her dress trying to calm her down, but the princess' harsh gaze was fixed solely on Katrin, water began to pool at the bottom of her lids and not being able to hold she back she ran out the room crying.
Katrin sucked in her breath in pain. goddess! what has she done!?