The guests watched the sobbing princess leave with pity in their eyes, who didn't know of the Pixie princess' obsession over duke Ethan? she'd been he's tail since they were little and it was always obvious she had more than a liking towards him.
But the duke was engaged now, she had lost her chance. The queen of pixies stood up bowed to excuse herself then went after her daughter and as if nothing happened everyone resumed eating their meal.
But Katrin couldn't, she felt bad, terrible, all the beauty and confidence she had felt before seemed to have completely melted away.
"So Ethan, Where did you find yourself such a beaut." she heard someone call from across the table, it was a handsome looking man, he had red hair, longer then her's, that was packed into a half pony tail, he's amber eyes danced with interest as he scanned her.
Katrin waited for Ethan's reply surely he wouldn't say he bought her from a slave house, even if that was the truth.
"He'd met her on one of his business travels to Kornicus." Aeliana answered instead, her eyes smiling at the man and Ethan hummed in agreement before he's hand slipped down and came to hold her hand, Katrin looked at him then their entwined hands before looking back to her food. What sort of high level theatrical act was going on here. "After that we met every time I went to Kornicus, then on my last travels I proposed and she agreed to come back with me."
Ohhh!
That sounded so romantic, where did he get that cover up from, it sounds like something straight out of a novel, those types she'd secretly borrowed the old lady next door.
The red haired man nodded, it was obvious he didn't know what to say to that. Then again, what would anyone say to that?
"What about you Prince Eldor?"" Aeliana asked leaning into the table, her eyelashes fluttering at him, "Has any eligible ladies caught your eyes recently?"
The Prince's smile dropped suddenly and next to him a girl who shared similar features as him, probably related, smiled and looked at Aeliana, "Well recently mother has him meeting different high class ladies in our kingdom, she says it's the perfect way for him to 'meet he's match.' I think, it's the perfect way to torture the poor soul."
No one noticed Aeliana's smile flutter before she stabbed a piece of meat in her plate, "Is that right?" She asked with a now strained smile, "Well then I wish you good luck prince Eldor." She said before placing the meat in her mouth.
For the rest of the lunch while everyone conversed among themselves Katrin sat quietly. Underneath the table, Ethan was still holding her hand and occasionally he's thumb would brush her lightly sending a wave of shock through her system. Sylara had returned with her mother, her eyes puffed and pink, refusing to speak to anyone.
Once the meal was over the head royals moved to the drawing room, while the young royals were left to mingle. Aeliana was the first to leave the dinning hall, followed by her brother who was definitely trying to escape the praying eyes of the ladies. Shortly after Prince Eldor also left and he's sister who Katrin has come to know as princess Runa, had come to join them, sitting beside Katrin. They belonged to the Firecast family, the royal house of the Phoenix realm, the hottest realm in LOC.
"So what go you attracted to this lunatic?" Runa asked not minding that Ethan was right there, and Ethan seemed not to mind the insult as well. The only problem was how to answer that question.
"He has a-a nice character, he's kind and takes good care of me." Lies, lies and the last one... was a little true.
Runa looked at her as though she wasn't buying it but before she could ask more questions Katrin stood up, "i-I'm sorry, could you excuse me, I need to go use the rest room." She didn't wait for a respond before dashing out of the hall.
Once she stepped out her body immediately relaxed and she felt she could breathe freely again. She moved as quickly as her legs could carry her towards her room, two more turns and she'd finally be safe, but a long the way something caught her eyes and she immediately retracted. Her back pressed against the wall and her hand went over her mouth. She did a double take just to make sure she saw what she saw and it was indeed true.
Pressed against the wall was a blushing Princess Aeliana, her hand clutching the sides of her dress, and hovering about her with his lips skillfully moving against her's was Prince Eldor.
Aeliana weekly lifted her hand and pushed at Eldor's chest moving her face way from he's, "What are you doing!? Someone could see us!"
Eldor chuckled and he's hand came to hold her cheeks before pecking her forehead, "Am trying to soothe my vexing girl, who shouldn't worry because no one will come here, so please let's just continue." He lowered he's head to her lips but Aeliana turned away again, "No. Don't kiss me with those lips you've probably used on other ladies."
"I would never," Eldor gasped in the defense, "You know I only go on those dates because my mother makes me, I love you and only you."
Katrin eyes widened at the confession while Aeliana blushed, her lips turning in a pout which caused Eldor's eyes darkened and he immediately moved in to ravish her lips once again. When a soft moan escaped Aeliana throat, Katrin took it as her cue to leave, she began to take slow and quiet backward steps until her back hit another wall, at least what she thought was a wall until a deep voice rang next to her ear.
"What are you doing?"
She yelped, startled as she turned, coming face to face with Silver eyes, It was prince Felix.
Had he seen what she had just witnessed? Did he know about Aeliana and Eldor's relationship? And if he didn't know of it, she couldn't let him find out. At least not like this.
"Oh goddesses! You startled me!," she said. She fidgeted under his gaze, nervous that he would walk pass her her and catch the two lovers having fun in the hallway.
"Since you are here," Felix sighed, moving a lose strand of hair from his. "I would like to speak with you if that is no problem."
"Of course not," Katrin nodded, somewhat glad she was buying time for Aeliana, even if she still felt the princess was unhinged. "I am not busy, please, go on."
"I only intend to apologies for my brother dragging you into this," Felix sighed. "It was spontaneous and rather stupid, might I add."
"I admit, it did surprise me," she replied, lowering her head. Her body still tingled as she remembered he's subtle actions at the dinning. Felix nodded understandingly and Katrin was mildly struck at how different he was compared to his brother, Ethan. He was much gentler -yet firm- more composed, and he was also more quiet. While Ethan was more compulsive and often, most probably did the first thing that came to mind.
"I can imagine how you feel but I must say, it was for a good reason."
Katrin raised her head, curious. But she didn't know if she could ask. "You see my mother has been pestering Ethan for a while now about getting married, and by now you must have known how stubborn my brother can get," Felix said.
Katrin nearly rolled her eyes. She was familiar -very familiar- with Ethan's impossible stubbornness.
"My parents had arranged for him to be engaged and eventually be wed to the Pixie princess and well, if you haven't quite noticed, she isn't particularly like by Ethan or my sister and frankly, myself as well."
Katrin was surprised. Aeliana seemed like someone who liked everyone! But then again, Sylara seemed rather overbearing to be around. "I see." She nodded "But aren't the princesses best friends?"
"Much far from that." Felix said firmly and all she could do was nod again. She then watched as the prince brought out a small green pocket watch from he's trousers examining it. "Well then, I must be on my way now." And just like that he immediately turned and walked away.
Katrin blinked, the prince was still odd, she remembered he was against Ethan's purchase of her which she still didn't know what to think of it. Shaking her head she shrugged off all thoughts and turned around, deciding to look round that corner again. The couple was gone. The must have entered one of rooms to...
No Katrin, She chided herself, that's non of your business.
Not wasting any time she rushed to her room, closing the door behind her. she might have given the impression that she was going to return back to dinning but in actuality her plan was to stay locked in her room till all the guest left. She crunched down and moved her hand under the bedside table until her hand felt leather and she pulled at it.
She'd hidden Azrael's book there after the last time she'd read it. It was the only safe place she could think of as no one would be checking under her side table. Plopping down on the bed, she opened the pages to the last entry she'd read and continued from there.