" I was shocked when the engagement was announced." Katty said
" Yeah, I also thought that it was so sudden." Caroline asked.
" Its too sudden. I have not even gotten the chance to buy a new dress." Charlotte said.
" What will you wear Madeleine? " Katty asked.
" I don't know. Amy will prepare my dress." I replied .
I was sitting in garden with them.
" You are no fun." Katty made a face.
" There's still one week left. Why are we discussing this now?" Rose told us.
" If you had a choice,you won't even come to engagement party. You will go to library instead." Katty said
We all laughed on that and Rose blushed.
"Shhhh.....look, princess Akshita is coming." Caroline whispered.
I looked around to see Princess Akshita was coming towards us. She stood in front of us and asked,
" Are you fine now princess Madeleine? "
" yes, I am fine. Thankyou" I said.
" Your highness, forgive me for asking but would you like to join us for tea?" Katt asked.
And here I was wondering why wasn't she speaking?
Princess Akshita smiled and said" Sure. It's my pleasure." She sat on one of the empty chair.
" Thankyou and I am Katty." She introduced herself. After her other three ladies also introduced themselves.
" Nice to meet you all." She said.
" Princess, I want to ask something." I said .
" Yeah sure "
" Your engagement is so sudden. Was it pre planned or it was planned in the moment."
" I knew you would ask that but it is not pre planned. After that accident on competition grounds, I realised how short life is. So, it was planned in the moment."
" I can understand. But, I am dying to know your love story." I asked.
" Yeah, princess we all want to know. " Katty said.
Akshita smiled secretly.
" Please." I emphasized.
She nodded and said," We met for the first time in last year hunter's competiton. Our eyes met from a distance and something sparked inside me. I realised I was attracted towards him. My eyes only wandered around him. I could even spot him in a crowd. It was like he was all around. I realised I like him. I decided to confess my feelings at the ball party......."
" Oh yes and you both also danced together....." Charlotte interrupted.
" Yeah, but that was before confession. I was standing alone preparing myself to confess. But, he saw me and came towards me.He asked for a dance. I was so flustered and stunned when he asked me.It was best dance of my life.After that dance we both went to garden. He told me that he wanted to say something to me. So, I let him speak first. And, I was thunderstruck when he told me he liked me. I also confessed. And we became lovers. We have been dating for a year now. We were in a long distance relationship. Sometimes, he came to visit me in secret. I am so happy. "
" We are also happy for you. " I said.
" Thankyou." She said.
"Mother Mary!" Katty exclaimed.
" What happened? " Charlotte asked.
" Crown prince is coming this way." She said with excitement.
I turned to look and saw he was really coming towards us. He stood in front of us and we all said in a unison ,
" Greetings, your highness."
He nodded gently and turned towards Akshita.
" I was searching for you and you are here." He said.
" I was having a tea with these ladies. " she replied.
" I wanted to talk to you..." He turned towards us" Can I borrow her?"
We all looked at each other smiled mirroring our faces.
" Do as you please, Your highness." Katty said in a sweet and gentle voice.
" Thankyou ladies." He bowed .
They both walked away while holding hands. They are so cute.
" I am also retiring to my room."I said.
They nodded and I started walking. She told us that it was a like a spark when she saw the crown prince . I felt same when I saw Prince Alaric. Was it love?
Amy told me that day after I fainted. He lifted me in his arms and ran all the way to medical chambers.
Suddenly, I bumped into something and was going to fell down but someone caught me by grabbing my waist. It was Alaric. He was looking so divine as always. His eyes were shining due to faint rays of sunlight and he smelled like my books dusty and crispy. My heart beat increased on seeing him.
He leaved me and I stepped back a step.
" Are you alright? " He asked in his deep voice.
" I am fine...I was not looking. I am sorry."
" No, it's okay."
" Thankyou for that day.....Thankyou for saving my life."
" It was nothing....Where were you going?"
" I was just...strolling around."
" Oh! I was also...w..wandering ."
This conversation was awkward. I want him to be comfortable with me.
" Then, shall we stroll together?......
Of course, if you don't want.....then...."
I interrupted and said," It's fine by me."
He nodded and we started moving together. We were near a lake .
It wasn't awkward anymore. The silence was sweet and pleasant.
We sat on a bench near Lake.The lake was beautiful. Pink and white Lotus were grown there.
" It's beautiful, right...." I said to break the silence.
" Yeah it's beautiful." I looked towards him and he was looking at me without blinking. Blush creeped my cheeks. Was he complimenting me? My heart thundered in my chest threatening to burst outside.
" W...why are you looking at me ? " I asked.
He smirked and said," Because I can....."
My heart almost missed a beat.
"D....Don't look. I......I am embarrassed." I whispered and looked down.
" Indeed, beautiful." He said in his drooping voice. He was just staring at me.Was he flirting with me?
I looked up to meet his eyes. They were calling me. It was magical. I was lost in the moment , I didn't know how much time had passed.
I heard voice of crows. Pitch of sound was high, almost like a reminder. I snapped out of my dreaming state and looked around to see it was almost night.
" It's dark. I should go now." I said and got up.
He also got up and grabbed my hand gently.
" Come to the piano hall tomorrow at six." He said.
Butterflies fluttered in my belly.
I nodded and he lifted my hand to put a gentle kiss on it.
" Until, next meeting." He said and leaved my hand.
I turned and started walking. Everything felt like a dream. My face was red and burning like an inferno. Everything felt nice. There was a fluttering sensation lingering in my chest. I was in daze . I never knew when I reached the palace and ate dinner. I only remembered him. Everything else was dulled out. He was shining in my memory. I couldn't even sleep. I was awake all the night thinking about him.