Lady Lisette's Dilemma
973 Words
Lady Sophia clenched her fists together, her eyes glossing over as she approached the palace walls. This was probably all that her sister had wanted. To come here as a bride. To come here as the Prince's woman.
She swallowed as they passed the gates, and the long line of servants, one on each side, and a spray of petals on the floor welcomed her.
The palanquin was carried to the very first step, where Prince Xander himself and King Owen were waiting.
Prince Xander had his hand behind him, his hair tied up in a loose manbun. He kept his face in a cold, expressionless stare, his eyes looking almost bored.
Lady Sophia was slowly let down, and she gave a flourishing bow, lifting her dress only until the tip of her shoe showed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
King Owen smiled. "I came myself to welcome you to the palace. I have forever envisioned doing it myself, and after the former decision, I thought I would never get to do it. You have pleased me."
Lady Sophia smiled. "You honor me, your Majesty. Your graciousness is vast."
He smiled, then turned to Prince Xander who was standing, his body stiff like he had no intentions of moving within the next two lunar seasons.
"Welcome her."
He gave a small smile, as Lady Sophia turned to him, her gaze steely. With a smile that did not quite reach her eyes, she bowed again, this time smaller, and when she spoke, the sacrasm dripped shamelessly in her words.
"Greetings, my Prince. Tis an honor."
Prince Xander nodded. "I have prepared a gift for you, my lady. tis only right, as you will be my Princess soon."
Lady Sophia felt her heart clench with worry. A gift?
She swallowed. "I am grateful, my prince. It is a shame that I have not thought so far."
Prince Xander nodded, then took a step towards her. She lifted her eyes to him, and his smile immediately dropped.
Slowly, he took her hand in his, his eyes never leaving her, and then slid the ring in her finger.
"You wanted a ring on your fourth finger, Lady Sophia. You failed to specify what sort of ring you meant."
Her brows furrowed as she turned to her own finger. Wrapped around it was a lock of light brown hair.
"This hair..."
"You are right. You are quick, Lady Sophia. But my knight was quicker."
He turned a little, to make sure the King was still blissfully ignorant, and he smiled and turned to her. "It will be a pleasure."
Lady Sophia's teeth gritted against each other as he pulled away from her, a small smile gracing his face again.
"Escort Lady Sophia to the princess's chambers immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness." The servants echoed, and slow, they escorted her away, her hands tightened beside her.
"You must really be enamored by her. You have never really cared." King Owen remarked, slowly walking aeesy.
"Of course," He replied, his eyes reverting to their coldness once more.
"I do not understand what you mean. The Prince has brought another woman?"
The handmaiden, wrapped in a cloak around her so nothing but her dull brown eyes showed nodded. "Apparently, you will soon be asked to vacate this chambers."
"Is it because of..." her voice trailed and the woman nodded.
"Definitely."
"But that is not my faukt! I am not the one to blame!"
The woman said nothing, and onEky watched her with a sultry like gaze, one that efficiently tangled up the concept of the person who was in authority between them.
Her confidence sharply contrasted Lady Lisette's and even someone who did not know the rules of nobility would be able to point out who had more control over the other.
"I suggest you do everything you can in order to keep Prince Xander with you. You need to."
Lady Lisette swallowed, turning to her. "What do you suggest I do?"
"I do not know. Whatever it takes."
Lady Lisette swallowed, then nodded slowly, her heart beating rapidly. She watched as her habdmaiden turned and walked away, and she slowly fell to the floor, her lips parting.
Her life had crumbled in that one instant and now, she was not sure how to start picking up the pieces.
With a small sigh, she pulled herself up, her hands wiping away the tears that had fallen down her pale cheeks. She held her dress euo, then ran out of the chambers, her feet quick and steady.
"Your Highness!" Lady Lisette said, as she ran into Prince Xander, then slowly gave a restless bow. "Is it true the rumors I have heard?"
Prince Xander lightly tapped on the hilt of the sword on his robe. "What rumors are you referring to?"
"That you have brought another woman. One who would be..." she trailed off, her eyes widening as she looked for signs of agreement.
He said nothing, hoping he would get to forget about it. She had literally forcibly made him marry her, and he needed to know why. For now, he just wished no one would ask him more wuestions.
"Yes," he asnwered simply, then turned away.
"But Your Highness. " Lady Lisette said, holding on to the ends of his robe.
He looked down at her hand and she immediately withdrew.
"It is true. As for you, you have to leave the crown princess chambers immediately."
Before she could say one more word, he walked away, leaving her clutching onto her dress, her eyes wide and covered with tears. Slowly, she melted into the ground, her eyes closing, her teeth gritting with pain.
She needed to marry him. She needed to be the one he would take to the altar. Because if he did not, how would...how would she get to save herself?
- Writer
