The Crown Prince's Unwanted Bride

Chapter 6: Bargaining

Starlight stepped back a little and apologized immediately, " I heard movements and thought it was someone, else, I'm sorry, good night milord"

"You can just call me Alexandre, After all, we are married now", he said and closed his eyes.

She went back to the room, layed on the bed and slept off for real this time.

**

When Straight woke up, she layed still, listening for movements, so she could know if she had company. Coming down from the bed, she walked close to the room and peeped in the sitting room to check if Alaxandre was there. Starlight breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the deities she was alone.

"Searching for me?" Alexandre asked, leaning on the walking in closet door behind her. Startlight's breath caught in her throat and she slowly turned to face him. She detected the hint of mockery in his voice and quickly searched her head for an answer.

"Well, I just want to….hmmmm..I wanted to". The prince immediately raised his hand, signaling for her to stop talking. Starlight swallowed hard, and bite I bottom lip in embarrassment.

The prince made his way towards the bed and sat on the edge, with his back against her.

"Starlight, we need to talk", He' said

Starlight turned to face him and saw that his expression had softened. "What do you want to talk about milord?"

"I have told you to call me Alexandre" The prince said with his back still against her.

He motioned for her to sit down. Starlight obeyed, making sure to put a secure distance between them. What does he want to talk about now? Did he want her to play her wifely duties this morning? Starlight's head began to pound and her palms got sweaty as Alexandre turned his gaze towards her.

He looked at her calmly for some seconds, coughed slightly before he proceeded to say what he wanted to say.

"I did not want to go through with this marriage"

Starlight thought her ears were filling her, She turned to face Alexandre, to be sure it was him the crown prince that made that welcoming statement.

"I am in love with another woman, but it is my responsibility to follow the laws as the next king of the East Kingdom.

The prince did not want this too? Starlight opened her mouth, but only a gasp escaped her. She tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry.

Alexandre paused for a moment thinking of how to unfold the plan he had come up with. " We must pretend before everyone today so they believe that we are ready to live as husband and wife. However, that pretense stops the moment we enter this chamber. We will continue with the sleeping pattern we had last night".

Starlight's mind reeled with a thousand questions. How exactly would they pretend to be happy, and what was it with the prince dictating things to her like she was his servant? She finally found her voice and spoke.

" Milord, I have heard you, and I will do my best to do your bidding. All I ask is that you respect me and request my input on any matters that affect me".

This was not the response he was expecting from her. He needed her to play her part in this game, or his plans would fail. "I will keep my end of the bargain as long as you keep yours", he said.

As far as Starlight was concerned, the bargain was not yet fair, she needed to prove to the prince that she doesn't care about whatever he does or whoever he loves. She would make sure this arrangement favored her.

"I appreciate your honesty, Alexandre. I am also in love with another man. I agree to act before the royal family, servants and the villages". She paused for a moment wondering how to make her request.

" However, I ask that you build me a house that can house about 20 people. I wish to use it for something personal and I want it built somewhere in the first town of Lancaster. If we must do as you say, I ask that you do not request what I wish to use it for".

So she also has someone she is in love with? That was perfect!

But he can't deny the fact that this wife of his is smart and knows how to bargain in her own favor also. The prince looked at her curiously and wondered what other unique abilities she had. " I will grant your request", he said. "Just give me a month and it will be done".

Starlight smiled happily and got up. "I will go get ready now", she said and walked away to go take her bath.

When she went to the bathroom, the prince laid flat, with his back on the bed. They had to appear before his parents and he hoped Starlight could pull off a perfect act in front of them and every other member of the royal family during breakfast. He worried if she would be able to play the part of a loving wife.

He had her singing in the bathroom, her voice was so soft and melodic and it immediately reminded him of the day at a waterfall when he met his love for the first time. He heard her singing from a distance and searched through the surrounding area until he found her. She had later promised to sing to him every day when they got married. He was going to make sure they got married.

Alexandre was really surprised, but glad that Starlight agreed so easily to go along with his plan.

Starlight continued to sing in the bathroom as she bathed with warm water. So Alexandre is in love with another! She wondered why any girl in their right mind would love the prince when a bride was already chosen for him, let alone dared to be loved back in return.

But she was glad that this cage of a marriage would offer her the ability to take care of Monel and the other children. She came out of the bathroom and looked at her side of the closet, searching for what to wear, her eyes went to a beautiful gray gown at a corner in the closet. She brought it out and awed at how beautiful it was. A flare gown with a short flare hand with an off shoulder neck with stones designed around it. She dropped it to one side and used a towel to dry her hair and styled it. After doing that she put on her undies and then the gown. She admired herself in the mirror, and touched the royal diamond bracelet and necklace that was a gift from the king and queen and that should remain on her until she assumed the position of a queen someday.

She stepped into the room and was startled to see that the prince was still there sitting on the bed.

Alexandre stared at her for a moment and wondered what would have been the case if he was not in love with another. He suddenly stood, "I'm going hunting now, and will come back for you later so we can go to breakfast together.

When he left the chamber, Starlight waited for some moment, before calling Kimberly who stood outside the door.

"Good morning Starlight, how was your night?" Kim asked with a bright smile and a little blush on her face. Everyone knows that the prince normally goes very early for hunting, but styled longer today.

Good morning Kim, my night was better than you", Starlight said while sitting down on the living room couch and gestured for Kim to sit also. Kim hesitated for some time before sitting.

"I have seen how beautiful the castle is through the windows and I would love for you to take me around before the prince comes to pick me up for breakfast".

Kim smiled brightly and said "Of course my Starlight, I will show you around, but not everywhere because the palace is very big".

Starlight cheered her cheerfully and stood up. "Okay Kim let's go".

Kim showed Starlight inside of the castle. And then took her outside to show her the surroundings. She brought Starlight to a beautiful garden that had different kinds of flowers and a beautiful waterfall. The place also has a large place we're up to 20 people can sit and have fun.

"Wow, this place is so beautiful Kim", Starlight said while spinning around, and Kim smiled widely at the princess's love of the place. "Oh my god, there is a purple rose! I can't believe it, I haven't seen a purple rose before Kim!"

"That is because purple roses can only be found in the castle," Kim said.

"Wow, I didn't even know it existed, '' Starlight said while picking a purple rose and smelling it. " Hmm, it smells nicer than the white and red rose, this must be a special kind of rose".

"Yes Starlight it is"

"And who told you, you could call her by her name!!"

Starlight turned to the direction of the voice and Kim also turned but in shock.