The sun woke Nomi up. Surprisingly, she felt extremely happy this morning. She felt like a blossoming flower in the mist of thorns. She was still laying on her bed when her maids, Tomaira and Joy came knocking on her door.
"pls do come in". She said with happiness evident in her voice.
"Good morning Princess Nomi" they both greeted.
"A good morning to you both". Nomi replied
" My Princess, you seem like a bird who has finally been released to fly"
Honestly speaking, that was exactly how she felt. She felt free and that is because she's finally realized the truth. Well, that's part of the truth that she's normal. She doesn't need any medication, she's not nuts. He's real whether they want to believe it or not.
"let's just say that I woke up on the bright side today. Thanks for noticing " Nomi says as a bright smile appears in her pretty dimpled face
" Princess, which would you like to wear" asked Joy who had already brought out five different outfits.
Nomi took a glance at the dresses and says, " anyone that is simple and less exposing ".
" Princess, your bath is ready" Tomaira said.
Joy brought out the cloth and left the room to set up the table for breakfast. Nomi took her bath, dressed up and headed to the dinning room for breakfast.
" Good morning mum, Morning Dad". Nomi greeted as she took her seat opposite her parents.
"Good morning to you my pretty damsel ". Her mother, Queen Alicia responded.
They started to dig in. They were having toast, bacon and omelet. No one spoke until...
" Nomi, Prince Devil will be here by noon to see you" King Oliver says, breaking the silence.
"Too bad. I'll be out by noon" Nomi replies with sarcasm evident in her voice
"Out to where?".
" I told Sheila that I would come visiting".
" I'm sorry but not today my dear".
"but... I have to go it's important " Nomi wailed
"I said not today and that final. You will stay back home to see the Prince"
"Fine. Then I will also not see your prince today either "
Nomi dropped her spoon and walked up to her room. She seems to be in here a lot these days. To prevent herself from crying, she decided to go to her second favorite place, the garden. She was still in high spirits. Well, not as high as when she woke up but her mood was still in check.
She picked up a rose and sat on the bench. She felt just like this rose. So beautiful yet so powerless. The rose was a beautiful flower no doubt but it had no power to decide who gets to have it. Even the ugliest being can get a beautiful rose flower to own.. The ugliest being in this case is the Prince Devil of Athen who she had only seen once at her sweet sixteen royal ball. She is now nineteen and yet her choices or decisions means nothing. She would soon be married off and be referred to as Princess Nomi of Athens. How ridiculous.
She spotted her mum coming towards her. She knew what her mum has come for and in all truth, she didn't want to hear it. Her mum has come to make her see reasons why she was wrong and plainly rude and how her father made the right decision. She could have left to go anywhere else but she didn't because that will only postpone the discussion and the length of the discussion.
" Nomi, we need to talk" Queen Alicia said taking her seat besides her.
"Okay but first I need to use my medications".
That was a huge lie. Nomi had never used those medications and what she said implies that she's not normal and only an insane person will 'need to talk' with an abnormal person.
" Nomi, I will not tolerate your being rude to your father and I". She took a deep breath and then continued. " your father wants the best for you".
" you mean what is best for the Kingdom because I don't see my happiness being put into consideration here" Nomi intersected.
" Princess! Do not interrupt me. As I was saying, marrying Prince Devil is sure to make you happy ".
"you mean make me a prisoner"
"think of it as a flower in the midst of thorns. Be their savior and light".
Mum I want to make my marriage a perfect example of happily ever after I'm not a mirror of prison".
" And who said you will be in prison
"mum I will not marry him I want to love and be loved".
"It doesn't matter what you want it's what the kingdom has decided as your fate you will marry Prince Devil".
"No, I will not !". I was getting angry and I was not enjoying it. "mum please do not spoil my mood".
A guard just walked in to make an announcement. The Prince of Athens has arrived.
" Tell him to come in " Queen Alicia ordered.
"Right away your majesty" the guard left and came back moments later with the Prince of Athens walking behind him.
"Let me excuse you both Queen Alicia stood up to excuse the would-be-couple.
Nomi sat where she was and acted as though she was alone. Prince Devil sat where the Queen had vacated.
" Princess Nomi, nice to meet you again".
She gave no response to his greetings but he still continue talking.
"You look even more beautiful than I remember".
She finally looked up. She hated it when men use flattering words to get a woman's attention because when it got to that point, the rest are lies. She was losing patience at this point.
" I finally have your attention" he remarked.
"Please do go straight to the point" she said trying her best not to sound rude.
"I just want us to be friends okay".
" Just friends?" she asked searching him for conspiracy. She had no idea why she didn't trust a word he uttered.
" well a little more than friends lovers maybe but how about we start with being friends".
"I'm not interested thank you".
"In what exactly, being friends with me or maybe my lover".
"Both. Now can you go?". She had lost it and her self-control had snapped. His presence was irritating to her.
" you don't have a choice Princess, you will come to love me" he says staring deep into her eyes.
she must have been dreaming or did his eyes just change from brown to red or what was it orange?. She didn't even what to know but she's was sure now that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with this man. It freaked her to the bones that it was this devil her parents, and the kingdom chose for her.
She didn't hear what he was saying that is if he was even saying anything but all she heard was "see you some other time Princess Nomi"
And with that, he turned his back to leave. she sat there completely numb for a few minutes before putting herself together.
IN NOMI'S ROOM
"Come in" Princess Nomi ordered.
"my Princess, you sent for me". The guard explained.
" call me Sheila. Tell her it's urgent".
" yes my Princess". The guard bowed and left to do as instructed.