"It's so lovely to see you!" Melissa beamed and in an instant, she smiled at me, it made me the most uncomfortable I'd been all day.
It was ridiculous really. I could see through her façade, but to what end? She had never needed to pretend to like me for any reason before, so why start now?
The look Acrisius and I exchanged confirmed he was as confused as I was, but I would play along, for now.
"It is good to have you back lady Melissa" I managed to say.
"It has been a long ride, I would love to take a walk with the princess in the gardens" she declared, though to no one in particular, she just wanted everyone to hear.
She hooked her arm with mine and practically dragged me away from the greeting entourage, and into the hallways that lead to the gardens.
As we strolled through the castle's hallways, the soft click of our heels on the polished marble floors echoed off the stone walls. Melissa still had her hands hooked with mine and refused to let go despite my attempts at doing so.
We turned a corner, and the hallway opened up to a pair of ornate glass doors. I pushed them wide, and a warm breeze carried the sweet scent of flowers into the hallway.
"I can tell by your dressing you still have no taste" she said. Way to break the ice Melissa.
"It's just bad taste because you don't like the color green" I answered.
"And that's why you wore it?"
I chuckled, finally tearing my arm from hers "You're not as dumb as you look"
We stepped out into the gardens, and the vibrant colors and lush greenery enveloped us. The castle's garden were a tranquil oasis, carefully tended by the royal gardeners.
Manicured hedges and topiaries lined the winding paths, while vibrant flowers bloomed in all directions.
All this beauty ruined because I'm here with her.
"What do you want Melissa?" I asked.
She smirked, and I wanted nothing more than to wipe it off her face "Haven't you heard?, I'm here to marry the king"
I rolled my eyes at her "Oh, you don't say"
Her cheeks pulled back in a terrifying smile that would have made me scared were I still a child, now I found it smack worthy.
"Which means I'll be queen" she mused.
"Your point is?" I asked uninterested. I was doing a damn good job at keeping my calm, had this been any other person, they'd walk out of this garden with a broken nose at best.
"My point, is that I want to see your face on the day I'm crowned, I want you to see what you thought all your life was yours pass to another person, and once I'm queen…." She paused, stroking her chin in thought. I waited, just to see what more blabber would spill out of that mouth of hers.
"Do you think exile would be a deserving punishment for you?"
I scoffed at her words, I don't doubt that she would not fulfill her threat however childish, I cannot afford to show that her words had an effect on me.
"Pathetic isn't it?" I asked, "Waiting until the day you're married to my incompetent brother to do make a move on me, why don't you do something now?"
She remained silent "Oh wait, you can't" I barked a laugh, and her face turned red with rage. It made it even funnier "You're going to marry my brother, there's no doubt about that. But I warn you, queen or no, if you cross me, you're going to regret it."
I walked closer to her until my voice was barely above a whisper, until I was sure only she could hear me "You do love to ride, it would be such a terrible thing for you to fall off your horse"
She gasped inaudibly, she tried recomposing herself, but I could see she was afraid, and it pleased me, I smiled at her once more "Accidentally of course" I said before leaving her.
After the confrontation with Melissa, I knew that despite my threats, she would still step on my toes. The royal court couldn't wait one fucking day before organizing a banquet to welcome Melissa. How they could pull it less than five hours after she arrived is a mystery to me, and worst of all, attendance is mandatory.
At least Amenadiel and Acrisius will be there with me, I will not have to sit through the dull affair alone.
I didn't change, I would grant her no such pleasure, I wished to torment her further with her hatred of the color green. The door creaked open, Acrisius walked in, he had changed, he now wore a blue suit with silver embroidery and a sword hung at his side.
"You didn't change?"
I shrugged "I didn't feel like it. Plus, I think I look good, wouldn't you say?" I asked, then twirled to give him a proper view.
He smiled defeatedly and stretched his hand for me to take "Come cousin, we should not be late to the feast"
I rolled my eyes "Because that would be so horrible"
Acrisius chuckled in response, as we both exited my room.
We saw Amenadiel standing outside, his armor gleaming more than before, his face stern "Try to look alive Amenadiel, you're going to a feast"
"If I had my way, I wouldn't" he responded.
That makes two of us, I thought.
The banquet hall that has housed many kings and their guests had been heavily decorated. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, ornaments from one corner of the hall to the other, the musicians played beautifully at the corner of the hall.
The lords and ladies in attendance saw this as an opportunity to show off their most expensive clothes and trinkets. Lady Amelia wore a beautiful velvet gown, and her hair was adorned with the most gorgeous jewels.
Amenadiel took his position where according to him, I would be able to see him. Acrisius and I made our way through the crowds, exchanging nods and smiles with the other guests.
We found a place to sit among the few lords we could tolerate. I chose to avoid the high table, as I believed I had no place there anymore.
As we waited for Ramiel and Melissa to arrive, the tension in the room grew. The musicians played a lively tune, but it felt forced, like they were trying to distract us from the elephant in the room.
The crowd ceased their murmuring, and the musicians stopped playing as the double doors opened. Everyone turned their faces turned toward the entrance as Ramiel and Melissa walked in hand in hand, and behind them, half a dozen guards. Their boots clicked on the floor, echoing through the now silent room.
Ramiel wore his royal garments, his cape sweeping through the floor, while Melissa was resplendent in a royal blue gown with diamonds. As she passed our table she scowled at me, I knew she was displeased as I was the only one who wore green in the hall. I was so pleased by her reaction that I ignored the scowl she sent my way.
They all took their seat at the table and the musicians resumed their playing, all I could think about was how much I wanted to leave this place.