Chapter 107-Escort
(NATALIE'S P.O.V)
After following Prince Morgan to his office on the second floor of the main palace. Once we were inside of the office. Prince Morgan continued to chuckle at my disguise.
"An apprentice of all things", he said as he continued to chuckle. "What happened to your usual maid disguises, my dear sister in law" he added as he placed his hand over his mouth trying to stop himself from laughing again.
Seriously, I should ignore my intrusive thoughts before I ended up in the palace dungeon again for assaulting a royal family member.
"You can thank Ella Kinsley and Doctor Kinsley for that" I said as I folded my arms together and flopped down onto the couch. I watched as Prince Morgan walked over to the couch across from me. He took a seat and suddenly asked, "About that", he said.
"How exactly did you meet Madam Ella?" He asked.
"She's the one who's been helping Macy all this time", I said, as I looked directly at him.
Prince Morgan made an appalling expression, "I never would have guessed, Ella was the one helping Macy Livens." He said..
"Coincidentally, She's also the one who saved my life after I gave birth", I said.
Prince Morgan became even more shocked after what I said. I could tell by his facial expression that he was deep in thought.
"We have more to discuss", I said.
Prince Morgan held up his hand, "
"Not here", He said, "For now let's focus on the ceremony. We can discuss everything else once the ceremony ends. I intend to travel to Cassini in order to visit Macy Livens." He added.
Suddenly, the door to the office opened and the knight who was walking with Prince Morgan earlier came walking into the room.
"Sir Daniel", Prince Morgan said as the knight approached him and handed him some type of clothing.
Suddenly, Prince Morgan started to walk towards me.
"Take this", he said, "It's a guards uniform, my wife and I will be leaving in the morning. You can disguise yourselves as one of my knights, when it's time to leave" he said.
(CROWN PRINCE ANTONIO'S P.O.V)
Before leaving the Kalpana Kingdom, I received an interesting gift from the King of the Vanuatu kingdom.
"Your highness, did the king really send you a suit?" Lord Joshua, who was the captain of my royal knights asked as he looked down at the open gift box.
"Looks like King Lincoln kept his word", I replied.
Lord Joshua scoffed, "That man is unpredictable" he said.
"I call it, an answer to our little agreement", I said, as I looked over at Lord Joshua.
Suddenly, the door to my office opened and my uncle Benjamin walked into the room.
"Antonio", he said as he walked towards the desk.
"Uncle, what brings you here?", I said.
"Those annoying bastards", he scoffed, "How many letters are they going to send. How can such a person be the next king of the Vanuatu kingdom" he scoffed again.
It's been a week since letters from that idiot Prince Marshall and Count Livens have been arriving. This is the fourth letter that I have received, speaking about sending an delegation to my kingdom.
"How desperate", I said, as I snickered.
"How can such a man be annoyingly incompetent and shameless", my uncle scoffed again and handed the open envelopes to me.
I threw the envelopes onto the desk.
"Prince Marshall and that traitorous advisor of his are the least of my worries" I said and got up from my seat. "We'll be in the Vanuatu kingdom for a week to attend another conference and banquet for the Avalorian kingdom's delegation. I'll spend the rest of my time focusing on courting my future Queen and winning over my future father in law" I said.
On second thought, I thought as I looked down at the envelopes. Maybe I should give these letters to my future father in law to get in his good graces.
Suddenly, one of my royal knights walked into the office
"Prince Antonio, preparations are complete," he said.
"Now then, shall we head to Winter Dukedom" I said.
Twelve hours later, we arrived at the Winter Dukedoms castle at 9:00 pm. As I was greeted by Duke Winter, Prince Moises, Queen Malaysia, Princess Sage, and Princess Rosemary. I couldn't keep my eyes off Princess Sage, she was beautiful, and breathtaking. The familiar sensation I felt the first time our paths crossed on the battlefield flowed through my body instantly the moment I stood in front of her. My heart began to race uncontrollably.
I couldn't help but gaze upon her a bit but I was suddenly snapped back into reality when I heard someone say, "Dinner will be ready, shortly". I turned towards the voice and saw that it was Duchess Mary.
"Moises, why don't you and Rosemary show Crown Prince Antonio and Grand Duke Benjamin to their rooms on the second floor", Duke Winter said, as he turned towards Prince Moises.
I turned towards Princess Rosemary and said "Princess Rosemary, I'm relieved to see you doing well since the last time I saw you.", I said.
I watched as Princess Rosemary smiled and thanked me.
Maybe I can find out what Princess Sage likes and doesn't like from her sister while I'm staying here, I wondered to myself.
On my previous visit, I heard from Duke Winter that Princess Sage and Princess Rosemary were practically inseparable whenever Princess Sage wasn't busy with her duties. I hope I will be able to make a good impression on my future sister in law.
While following behind Prince Moises and Princess Rosemary. I noticed Princess Rosemary kept glancing back at me. When we made eye contact, she suddenly smirked and turned her head again.
(SAGE'S P.O.V)
It was around 10:00 pm, when Duke Winter and I were done greeting the guests who arrived at the castle. The castle staff members and servants were busy getting the guests settled into their guest rooms according to the arrangements made prior days before. The guests consisted of members of the noble faction that worked under Prince Morgan, the Winter Duchy, the Pordigase duchy, and the neutral parties, whose daughters were also going to be debuting into high society.
"Now that the guests are taken care of", Duke Winter suddenly said as he looked over at me. "You should get some rest, my dear. Tomorrow morning is going to be a little hectic", he added.
What does he mean by hectic, I thought to myself as I looked over at Duke Winter.
"Sage, my dear", he said, "Have you given any thoughts of who will be escorting you?" He asked, "We have less than 18 hours before the debutante ball begins," he added.
At first, I was going to ask Christian to be my escort in order to piss off Prince Marshall but who knows when he will return. I should go with my first choice, my father. I thought to myself.
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Duke Winter say, "How about letting Prince Antonio escort you." He said, "I think you should get to know him more properly." He added.
As much as I tried to avoid thinking about the whole destined partner situation. I couldn't deny the fact that I was very curious about him since his previous visit to the castle.
"I would like for him to escort me, but I want my first dance to be with my father," I said.
I watched as Duke Winter nodded his head.
"I'll inform him once he comes to my office with your father later" he said and placed his hand on the top of my head. "You may return to your room now, my dear. Make sure you get some rest, you have a long day ahead of you," he added.
After parting ways with Duke Winter, I was walking up the stairs, when I felt the familiar sensation flowing in my body. Suddenly, there he was, Prince Antonio was standing beside my father as they were about to walk down the stairs.
Right, who am I kidding, I can't deny any longer that I want this man.
I continued to walk up the stairs and I noticed that Prince Antonio kept his eyes on me the whole time. I felt myself being drawn to him even more now that I have opened myself up to getting to know him.
"Prince Antonio", I called out to him and we approached each other on the stairs.
"Princess Sage" he said, as he looked down at me.
"Prince Antonio, I would like for you to escort me for my debutante", I said.
Without saying anything, Prince Antonio grabbed my left hand and kissed it.
"I would love to escort my future Queen", he said.