Once I got up to my room, I got dressed for the welcome dinner.
I wore a royal blue suit and a black tie with black dress shoes. I tousled my hair to the side as I didn't have the patience to get anything more done to it, then I went down.
I went over to the kitchen to make sure all preparations were done and the food was ready.
I went on to the formal dining room to see that the decorations and table setting was ready.
I then sent for the head of security to go over the guest list to vet who was on the guest list.
After about 30 minutes, the guests started arriving and I went out to welcome them. In moments like this I always wished my sister was with me and not in a boarding school in the Kingdom of Eldoria, she was always better at socialising than me.
"Lord Harrington," I said, extending my hand, to the Earl of Silverwood "It's always a pleasure to see you. I'd heard many stories of his bravery in war and had always admired him for it. He was one of the greatest war tacticians in the history of our kingdom.
"The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness," he said, shaking my hand firmly. "And thank you. It was an honor to serve our kingdom."
"Please," I said, gesturing towards the dining room. "Join the others. Dinner will be served shortly."
I then turned to Lady Beatrice the countess of Seacliff, a kind-looking woman with a warm smile. "Lady Beatrice," I said, "it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard wonderful things about your work with the orphanage."
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said, her smile widening. "It's a cause that's very dear to my heart."
"Please," I said, "join the others. I'm sure they're eager to hear about your work."
I continued to greet the guests, introducing myself and making small talk. I was grateful for their presence, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness that my sister wasn't there to share this moment with me. She would have loved to meet these people, to hear their stories and learn about their lives.
I pushed the thought aside, reminding myself that she was safe and happy at her boarding school. I would see her again soon, and we would have plenty of time to catch up.
Although they were members of the royal court, we didn't have opportunities to just talk to them and hear stories about their youth.
We headed over to the formal dining hall, and the dinner began.
The dining hall buzzed with polite chatter as the five-course meal unfolded. Silverware twinkled under the warm candlelight, and the air hummed with soft music.
"This pheasant is divine," Lady Beatrice, the Countess of Seacliff, remarked, dabbing her lips with a napkin. "Such a credit to your kitchens, Your Highness."
"Thank you, Countess," I replied, offering a small smile. "We pride ourselves on fresh, local ingredients."
Lord Harrington, the Earl of Silverwood and a renowned war hero, chuckled. "If only we had such delicacies on campaign. I daresay our victories would have come even quicker!"
A ripple of laughter went around the table. The atmosphere was light and jovial, a welcome change from the usual stiff formality of court dinners.
Between courses, I made an effort to engage with everyone. I learned about Lady Beatrice's tireless work with the orphanage, her eyes sparkling with passion as she described the children. Lord Harrington regaled me with a (sanitized for younger ears!) anecdote from his military days, painting a vivid picture of his strategic mind.
As the main course – a succulent roasted lamb – was cleared, my father, the King, rose to his feet. A hush fell over the hall.
"Welcome, Prince Alexander of Avaloria," he boomed, his voice resonating with warmth. "Tonight, we celebrate not just your arrival, but the enduring bond between our kingdoms."
He raised his goblet. "To Avaloria!"
"To Avaloria!" the court echoed, goblets clinking.
Queen Alicia, my mother followed, her voice softer but no less commanding. "May this alliance bring prosperity and peace for generations to come."
Prince Alexander, with a thoughtful gaze on his face, then stood. "I am honored by your welcome," he said, his voice clear and strong. "Veridian's reputation precedes it, Your Majesty. I look forward to strengthening our ties and learning from your wisdom."
I guess he didn't have a problem with my parents even thought they were the ones who arranged the marriage between the both of us, he just had a problem with me.
The meal continued with a light, refreshing sorbet and finally, a rich chocolate torte. Conversation flowed, laughter punctuated the clinking of glasses, and for a few hours, the weight of royal duties seemed to lift. It was a pleasant evening, a reminder of the human connections that lay beneath the politics and alliances.
After the last guest had departed, the echoes of polite farewells fading into the quiet hum of the castle. I offered a weary smile to the remaining staff, thanking them for their hard work. My mother, Queen Alicia, patted my arm reassuringly. "It was a successful evening, darling," she said. "Prince Alexander seems… agreeable."
"He's certainly polite, Mother," I replied, the word "agreeable" tasting like ash in my mouth.
I excused myself, the weight of the royal blue suit suddenly feeling like lead. My room was a sanctuary, a space where I could shed the Prince of Veridian persona and just be… me. I closed the door behind me with a sigh, the click echoing the finality of the evening.
The royal blue suit was quickly discarded, replaced by comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. I ran a hand through my tousled hair, a small act of rebellion against the perfectly coiffed image I was expected to maintain. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, a stranger in the guise of royalty.
Tomorrow was the day. The official announcement. My engagement to Prince Alexander of Avaloria. A political alliance masked as a fairytale romance. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of apprehension and resentment.
I glanced at the stack of papers on my desk – the carefully crafted statements, the rehearsed responses, the pre-approved narrative of our blossoming "love story." It was all a farce, a performance for the cameras, for the kingdoms, for a public that craved the illusion of happily ever after.
With a heavy sigh, I settled into a chair, the soft cushions a small comfort in the face of the storm brewing inside me. I picked up one of the statements, the words blurring as my mind wandered.
My sister, Elara, was probably the only person who truly understood. She was the one who shared my secret dreams, my frustrations with the gilded cage of royalty. I missed her terribly. Her boarding school in Eldoria suddenly felt like a world away, a cruel twist of fate that kept us apart during this pivotal moment.
I wondered what she would say about all this. Probably something sarcastic and witty, something that would make me laugh despite the turmoil inside. I imagined her rolling her eyes at the romanticized version of my engagement, the one that would be splashed across every royal gazette tomorrow.
A knock on the door broke through my reverie. It was a servant with a tray of warm milk and a light snack. A small gesture of care in the face of the monumental day ahead. I thanked him, the warmth of the milk a small comfort.
As I sipped the milk, I thought about Prince Alexander. I barely knew him. We had exchanged politeries, shared meals, and engaged in carefully curated conversations. But there was no spark, no connection, just the cold reality of political obligation.
I wondered what he was thinking, what emotions were hidden beneath his thoughtful gaze. Was he as apprehensive as I was? Did he also feel like a character in a play we didn't write?
With a sigh, I pushed the thoughts away. There was no point in dwelling on the what-ifs. Tomorrow was coming, and I had a role to play. I would be the dutiful prince, the picture of happiness, the embodiment of a perfect royal romance.
I picked up the statements again, forcing myself to focus on the words, to memorize the script. It was a performance, and I was determined to deliver a flawless act. The fate of two kingdoms, and perhaps even my own happiness, depended on it.