Margo was a mess. She was covered in flour, cocoa powder, and white cream cheese frosting. Globs of frosting were on her clothes and body. But the camera still panned on her as she licked more frosting off her finger with a satisfied smile. The completed red velvet cake was a mess too. It had uneven globs of frosting while some parts weren't covered at all. The cake was tilted and looked like it would fall apart. It was ugly, but something one could be proud of if it was their first time baking a cake. The shot turned to William who stood straight with hands on their hips and looked over at Margo and smiled. They examined her and noticed the mess and the singular glob of frosting on her cheek. They grabbed a napkin and went over to the sink. The water wooshed with life as they made the napkin wet. They walked over towards Margo and gently grabbed her shoulder,

“You have something on your face,” they said as they brought their hand up and wiped the napkin across her face. The camera zoomed in, capturing the sparkle in their eyes. Margo’s lip slightly dropped and William’s face turned pink.

“That was so embarrassing!” Margo shouted as she turned off the television. I sighed as I turned a page in my book. Margo looked over at me with a huff, and I glanced up at her from my book.

“Well, don’t make a mess on your face,” I joked with a smile.

Margo frowned as she took a seat next to me. I could hear a small huff leave her lips.

“Well, don’t make a mess on your face,” she mimicked me, poorly. She started to laugh as she leaned back into the red sofa.

I nodded as I closed my book and glanced over at the clock. We were in the library, it was recently renovated to have new furniture and more red oak bookshelves. But the newest thing was the flat-screen television on the wall. 

Margo changed into new clothes right after the date with William ended. She wore an off-white tulle evening gown. Yellow and pink flowers were embroidered on the dress. She wore a new pair of black flats. Her mask was still on, she smiled gently and looked down towards the ground. She pushed some hair behind her ear. The room felt like it had gone silent as if nothing could make sound in this room. I stared at her and watched every delicate movement she made. The way she licked her lips and the way she wouldn’t look at me directly. She opened her mouth to say something, but a loud knock on the door interrupted her. She jumped slightly as the door opened to reveal Nathan. He wore a black suit with a red tie. He smiled when he saw us and made his way into the library and grabbed a book, Floralgraphy, a small chapter book on the different locations flowers could grow. He opened it and stared at its pages. He glanced up slightly from the book before he turned the page slowly. He looked at Margo.

“So. Princess Margo,” he said as he slowly walked until he stood right next to her, “I was thinking for our date tonight maybe a walk in the garden.” I looked over at the book in his hands. Margo politely smiled and nodded at his thought.

“A walk would be nice,” she said as she looked away from him. Nathan’s smile grew wider.

“Yes, it would be,” he answered. 

He stood there for a moment before bringing the book closer to Margo, “Or maybe you would prefer staying in?” Margo turned to look at him.

“That’s fine too, I’m up for many things tonight.” Her eyes darted down towards the book, “Oh! I loved that book,” she said. Nathan made a show of him looking down at the book as if he had forgotten he even had it. He smiled bigger, teeth showing. His eyes still looked at the floor.

“Really? That’s great,” he said with a slight laugh, “I just started this one, myself.” He added with a chuckle as he finished his sentence he looked back up at Margo. 

“I could see that,” Margo joked. Nathan looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. 

“So. What would you like to do for our date?”

Margo paused for a moment and contemplated the thought. She exaggerated her movements. First, she placed a finger on her chin and then scratched the top of her head. “Hmm,” she grumbled long and low. She stopped abruptly and nodded her head.

“A walk in the garden should be fine,” she said. Nathan smiled.

“Lovely, after dinner then?”

“Sounds like a plan, Prince Nathan.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” he smiled, “’ll see you at dinner then.”

I watched as Prince Nathan left the room. He paused before he left the room, his eyes darted just from the corner to meet us once again. He carried on right after, as if he never stopped. Margo’s eyes never left him, but neither did mine. I only glanced back at her once Prince Nathan left the room. Her eyes were still on the door.

~~~~~

I listened to the clinking of forks and knives on china plates as I watched the Princes, Margo, and the King eating. I watched as the King opened his mouth and stuffed a chunk of roast beef into it, his plate nearly empty. He chewed it slowly, his eyes darting from Prince to Prince.

“This is really good,” Prince William said.

The King nodded in agreement, “Yes, it’s fresh from your kingdom. It always has the best produce.”

Prince William looked away from the King, “Oh, I wouldn’t say that.”

There was another moment of silence. The King's eyes once again darted from Prince to Prince. The King stuffed the final potato in his mouth and smiled as he chewed.

“I remember being this shy at my showing,” he said as he swallowed, “It was very nerve-wracking to sit in the same room as her father. And the competition.” He stood up, “I will make my leave then. I trust you with my daughter.” The Princes bowed their heads as the King walked towards the door. He stopped in front of me and looked over at me. We made eye contact and he smiled at me. He looked back over at Margo, then at the Princes once again. He began to walk again, his steps echoing around the room until the door came to click.

I noticed the silence in the room. No one’s forks clinked on their plates. I glanced over at Margo and the Princes, and saw that they all stared at each other in silence.

“So, what do you hope to get out of this,” Harold said as he stabbed a carrot. He held it up to his face and inspected it. His fork twirled in his hand.

“Princess Margo’s hand of course,” Nathan said with an immediate response. 

Harold took a bite out of the carrot and glanced over at William. William looked down at their food.

“Yeah. Same here,” William answered.

Harold took another bite, finishing off the carrot. His eyes went over to Margo and then back at the Princes.

“Of course,” he said as he placed his fork on the table, “Princess Margo’s hand.” He frowned. 

Margo bit her lip, “Well, yeah. That’s the whole point of tonight,” she answered. Harold rolled his eyes and picked up his fork. It twirled in his hand before stabbing it harshly into another carrot.

“Not really. There’s a lot to gain this time besides a wife”

“I know that,” Nathan said with a sharp tone.

Harold looked over at him and took a slow bite of his carrot. His eyes narrowed as he chewed.

 “Of course you would, but we all would benefit from getting Akamore,” Harold said. He paused and looked over at Margo. Margo's arms were crossed and her eyes were narrowed, “Well,” he continued as he leaned back in his seat and smirked, “except you Princess Margo, you lose the most out of all of us.” His words were harsh as if he knew what he was doing. Margo let out a rough and hard breath.

“Thanks,” she answered with a visible frown.

“I like to think you will gain something Princess Margo,” William pipped up. Margo gave a gentle smile.

“Thank you, that’s very nice of you William.”

Harold looked over at Prince William, “Yes because getting a husband is everything especially when you come with land. I thought we--” He said in a mocking tone.

Margo darted a look over at Harold, “You don’t need to be so rude.” Harold only shrugged in response and stuffed another carrot in his mouth.

“I have to agree with Prince William, Princess Margo will gain a partner and friend for life. Connections are powerful and invaluable,” Prince Nathan said with a smile as he stared at Margo. Harold stood up in response. He stared at Prince Nathan.

“And where did that leave your kingdom? Last I recall a marriage didn’t help. You’re only here for your kingdom, aren’t you? You could care less about marriage. You probably have a plaything at home, don't you?”

Prince Nathan’s smile dropped. 

“Why don’t you leave? You don’t want to be here, do you?” Prince Nathan jabbed.

“I will gladly leave,” Harold said as he took a few steps back.

Harold turned around and stomped out of the room.

“Prince Nathan. Are you okay,” William asked. Prince Nathan nodded in response. Margo turned around to look at the two.

“You should ask him to leave entirely,” Prince Nathan said as he looked over at Margo. Margo nodded.

“Yeah, I want to, but dad wants me to have at least one date first.”

“It’s your choice though, Princess Margo. You can have him leave now,” Prince Nathan said. Margo nodded again.

“I know,” she said, “I know.”

No one wanted to talk about what it meant to be dismissed: less choices, less competition, and less time.

~~~~~

Margo gripped her arm as we waited by the doors that led out to the garden. She licked her lips, probably still tasting the remains of tonight's dinner. I focused on my breathing, being careful not to let my breaths come out too sharp so I don’t show any annoyance to Prince Nathan being late. 

“Dinner. Was strange.” Margo said, filling the silence. I nodded in response. “It might be best if I dismiss Harold. I don’t see me... Yeah.” Her words could not form into thoughts as she went quiet. What is taking that Prince so long? There are footsteps. Barely audible footsteps as if someone is trying to sneak around and I can’t help but look over. So does Margo, we both turn our heads to see someone walking down the hall. I squinted my eyes in an attempt to see the figure better, but it did nothing but blur my vision. The figure got bigger and I recognized it. Harold. He froze when he saw us and we did too. Tension filled the air as he crossed his arms. My heart drops. I noticed that he wasn't wearing his mask. I am only able to tell it is him based on the clothes he wore to dinner and his stark blonde hair. His face is round and soft. It doesn’t match the personality he has shared with us. He looked younger than he was and like a kind person. A permanent smile seems plastered on his face as if he is forcing himself to frown. It looked unnatural. I couldn't help but stare. We weren’t supposed to see his face. But he didn't care.

Margo looked away and averted her eyes. His eyes tried to look vicious, but they sparkled too much like a kid in a candy store with no budget. His eyes slowly went over towards Margo and they rolled before he turned around so he wasn’t facing directly at us. His crossed arms tell me that he is annoyed, something his voice doesn’t reflect.

“Is this better,” he asked.

 Margo glanced toward him and nodded. She took a moment, realizing he couldn't see her, “Yes. Thank you.” Harold nodded and scratched the back of his head.

“I wanted to apologize,” he stated abruptly and forcefully. He never seemed like the type to apologize even if it felt forced. Margo looked over at me, her eyes wide. I didn’t expect this either. 

“You’re fine,” Margo replied.

“I know. But, I needed to apologize. I shouldn’t be rude without saying why.”

“Do you need a reason to be rude?”

Harold paused, “No.”

“Then why were you?”

He shook his head. He was silent for a moment as he pondered a thought.

 “I can’t tell you. Just. Sorry.” He began to walk away and Margo stared at him. Her eyes narrowed.

“Why are you walking around without a mask?”

He stopped in his steps, “I hate the damn thing. That’s why.”

“You’re not supposed to not wear it.”

“And I don’t care. It’s not like you are going to pick me.”

“Maybe I will.”

“I don’t want you to," he shouted before running off like a scared little kid throwing a tantrum.