Huh?

Was I hearing the right thing?

"Oh. We thought you were aware already. Our son... could not make it today." The Queen said.

What? 

If this handsome man in front of me is not my husband, then... who is?

As if on cue, Luca released my hand and a sort of look fell upon his face. He went to stand by the King and Queen again. 

"O-oh my goodness! Please forgive me for my rudeness! I h-had assumed too quickly." 

Dang it, why am I stuttering?

"Where is the esteemed Prince then?" 

Hopefully, disappointment had not been written all over my face. For a second, I thought this kind looking man, who appeared to be a Prince, would be my partner for life. 

He certainly has the attire of a Royal... Who is he then if not a Prince? A visitor as well?

"Well, he is very busy now. His coronation will be coming in a few months time and much preparation is needed.." The Queen replied. She appeared to glare at me with disgust. 

"He will greet you when the time is appropriate." The King added. 

"..."

"Right. Of course." I nodded. 

"Meanwhile, it would be best for you and your servants to get some rest after the long journey. Our head butler will show you to your chambers." He continued. 

Suddenly, a small group of servants came out from nowhere and surrounded the carriage behind me. Oh, they must be taking our things now. 

"We shall have brunch together some day. And if you have any questions please ask our Head Butler, Eloise." 

A tall lanky old man in a black suit stood at the top of the stairs. He bowed to me deeply and continued to direct the servants taking our things. 

The King and his wife quickly turned to make their way inside. Luca followed suit, but not before giving me a...smile?

Did he just smile at me? 

The three of them disappeared before I could make sense of that smirk.

If he wasn't so attractive, perhaps I wouldn't be so disappointed with this situation.

Where is this supposed Prince? And how could he be so busy that he could not even make time to see the person he would spend the rest of his life with? 

Ah, I could already see it. The husband who ignores his partner and uses work as the classic excuse for lack of respect and attention. 

A hand was placed on my shoulder. 

Daniella. 

I had only now noticed the bustling noise and commotion going on around us. It seems their servants had trouble carrying our heavy load.

"I had wanted to help Your Highness, but they told me leave the luggage alone. They didn't want my help." 

Of course they didn't.

"Oh, that's alright. Where is Penelope?"

She didn't have to answer me. I spotted her talking to the driver. Flirting with him perhaps, like always. Penelope of all people doesn't need a prince to impress her...

Why did I set my expectations so high? 

It seemed Daniella took note of my expression.

"Are you alright Your Highness?" 

"Why would she be alright after their blatant rudeness?" a sour voice interrupted our conversation. 

Damond was standing right by me now with the sour expression on his face. 

"You're right Damond. They were rude but... what can I do?" I said.

"From their point of view, I am just a desperate princess dying to get in their pockets after all. We can't blame them." 

"Yes we can. Their so called Prince didn't even make an appearance after we came all this way." He continued.

I could sense his worry underneath his rough tone. I could see myself being treated terribly in this place. A useless, money hungry princess would be my new image here. 

I need to gain their respect in order to help my people. I need to come up with a plan... 

The tall butler came forward to speak with us. 

"Hello, Your Highness. We are ready to see you to your chambers now." 

"Oh yes. Alright." I replied. 

His tiny, old eyes shot Damond a glare.

"But the Royal Guard will be escorted elsewhere by another servant. Your maids may come with you for now."

"Wha-" 

I hit his lightly shoulder before he had any time to argue. 

It was odd to not have a my own guard escort me, but this is custom here. Abiding by their rules is necessary. 

He hid the anger on his face and went to follow a servant who would lead him to his room.

Penelope, Daniella and I were escorted inside by Eloise.

The interior of the castle is even more beautiful than on the outside. 

Spectacular pieces of art covered the golden walls and the expensive chandelier lit up the the entrance way.

                           (Inside the Shoubet Palace)

As I walked, I began to admire the paintings. 

It seemed these people did not take appearance very lightly. 

Ah! I had seen one of these paintings in my books my private tutor gave me. I stopped walking to see it closely. 

Wow. Is this the original thing? I forgot who painted this. If only I paid more attention during lessons... 

Oh well. 

I had turned to continue following Eloise, Penelope, and Daniella but......where were they?

They were here just now...

Just now, the actual size of the castle hit me. It was much bigger than I had originally thought. 

Maybe they went this way...

I turned to walk into an area of the castle that looked like it led to bed chambers. 

It looks darker than all the other lit up hallways...but...why do I feel the need to go here?

I reached a door and put my hand on the handle to open it. Wait, why am I shaking?? Penelope and Daniella can't be here right? 

But I need to go inside...

I pulled the handle and spread the door wide open.

It was a room alright. Why was I so nervous for nothing?

The room was a plain and big regal room, suited for a king actually. But why weren't my maids here yet?

I'll just sit down first. 

As I was about to lay on my bed, I spotted a colorful portrait of a woman on the wall. It was the only colorful thing in this boring room. The woman bore read hair, freckles and green eyes. She looked very beautiful, like a fairy actually. Oh. Her name is written at the bottom? Then she must be a famous royal. I stood up to take a look at her name.

"Katrin-"

"Don't touch that." 

I immediately spun around in shock and retracted my hand from the portrait. 

Luca? 

No. 

But he was just as beautiful. This man's wavy black hair partially covered the deep blue of his fierce eyes. His skin was pale as well, but seemed lightly touched by the sun. His dark eyebrows were pulled together.

He looks angry? He is invading my room! No excuses, even for a handsome stranger. 

"Excuse me?! What do you think you're doing here??" I huffed. 

His chest seemed to rise with anger and his pink lips parted in disbelief. 

"Do you realize whose room you're in...? I should be screaming at you." He said roughly.

His voice is so aggressive...

Wait, what?

I pulled my eyes from the stranger and looked around the room again. Two pairs of dark men's shoes were at the corner of the room and a sword laid slanted on the near wall.

"Oh." 

This wasn't my room.

There was no way I could look him in the eye now...

I looked down at the floor but heard his footsteps coming closer to me.

No.... I'm in the wrong but I shouldn't be a coward and just apologise. Damnit why did I come here??

I gathered the courage to apologize, but when I looked up I realised that the distance between us was very little.

Like a white tiger, the stranger's blue eyes burned through my body in anger. He seemed much scarier now when he towered over me. I hadn't realised he was so tall. 

Oh, but he's so handsome...and WAY too close.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I think my palms are starting to get sweaty.

"Your Highness." an old voice spoke. 

Both our heads snapped towards the door. 

The butler! 

"Excuse me sir, but may I escort the Princess out of your room please?"

Yes! PLEASE get me out of here!

The man turned his back to me and spoke harshly to the butler. 

"Eloise, are you the one who brought her in here?!"

It seems he's rude to everyone, as his face suggests...

"N-no I-"

"I don't want to hear it. Just get her out here." 

What the hell? 

What is wrong with him? It's not as if I destroyed his room... I was in here for like 5 seconds...

Quickly, I escaped from behind him and rushed out the door.

The butler bowed deeply and started to close the door. 

I took one last look at the rude and handsome stranger. 

 It seemed like his face had softened and melted from the anger that is was a few seconds ago.

 He looked sad...

And then the door shut. 

Eloise and I started to walk wherever we were going in silence. 

"Your Highness." he spoke.

"Yes? You may speak." I mumbled. Still, my mind was wondering to that sad and desperate expression I saw a few moments ago.

"I know that you may want to get close to him, but please refrain from entering his room without permission. The Prince can lose his temper easily, especially after coming back from a military meeting. So..."

"Oh no, I honestly just thought it was my room- Wait. did you say the Prince? As in my future husband Prince??" 

Eloise looked at me with a confused expression.

"Y-yes that is who i'm referring to... Did you not know Your Highness?" 

No way. No way...that's not possible. 

No wonder the room looked like a king's room!!! My goodness ! 

When I think back now, he was wearing dark, expensive *finery with a few touches of gold on them...

I'm really done for now. I had even shouted at him too!! 

If he knows that I were the one that did it, he will call off this union! My Kingdom will suffer!!!

It'll be okay if I end myself now, right?

My heart spurred even faster than it did when I was face to face with him.

No. I'll just apologise to him. Maybe i'll even bow and beg for him to forgive me...

I looked to Eloise and asked him a serious question.

"If-if I a-apolgise to him tomorrow, will he accept?"

He should have known him since he was a baby, but he looked unsure himself as he answered. 

"Perhaps...Perhaps." 

Ugh. 

It's okay. Nothing is ruined yet. 

I'll just see him tomorrow and apologise. 

Yeah.

Tomorrow...