The Prince’s Bride

Parting gifts and disappointments.

Let it be said that in the palace of the zeak family, there is going to be peace for the first time in years, as the three minions who thug the palace are going on a trip.

The triplets.

“We’re going to miss you Dalia,”  the triplets whom now have their hands wrapped around Dalia’s body, hug her tentatively that one would assume, such relationship the three have with Dalia has been established since they were born, without knowing, it’s just been five days.

“And I will miss you three very much, and Sebastian will also.” Dalia wraps own hands around three, caressing each of them, as her words do come from her heart, forming a bond with these three, she never knew is possible in such a short while, especially when they are usually present in her room, telling her stories of the palace and playing with Sebastian.

Even Sebastian has gotten fond of them.

All these happening, while Lucien stares in adoration, that even he, their brother, they won’t miss this much. 

“Alright three, Me wensbow would be waiting.” Lucien cuts them off their Goodbyes, making Dalia to turn to him with a pout. “They have to go.” Lucien mouths to Dalia, taking the conversation to be just the two, as one can see not only has Dalia formed a bond with the three but also, Lucien.

“Take care of her Lucy, we’ll be back soon.” Zeniela moving to Lucien as soon as she departs Dalia.

“Don’t let a fly touch her hair.” Aridos also gives his warning,  staring vividly at Lucien, while he only nods affirmatively at each of them.

“And make her smile.” Usupus adds his own words, making a smile reach Lucien’s face as he turns to glance at Dalia whom today has her hair packed in a bun, revealing her round face.

“This is for you Dalia. It’s something from you to hold unto till we get back.” Dalia’s gaze goes below, as the smile on her face reaches her eyes while she stares in adoration and happiness, that her eyes begin to become lachrymose at the parting gift, this little girl gives her, when in truth she has never received a gift from anyone, except her late parents.

“Thank you Zeniela. I will hold on dearly to this. I am sincerely grateful.” Dalia squats to properly reach Zeniela’s height, hugging her warmly.

“We’ll miss you too brother.” Usupus and Aridos eventually says to Lucien, as a chuckle escape his lips at their actions.

“Perhaps I will miss you three, and perhaps I may finally get a rest of mind without your disturbance.” Lucien speaks jovially to the three as that earns a reaction from them.

“I’ll miss you Lucy.” Zeniela’s hands wrap around Lucien’s, whom his legs is all she can reach, while his hands wraps around her. Men being men, rather boys being boys stay behind while Zeniela do all the affection to their brother.

“And I will miss you immensely Zee,” Lucien speaks sincerely with his hands caressing his little sister’s brown hair lightly. Soon as they pull apart, do the blaring horn of the ride that awaits them goes loud, prompting their lateness, as that is enough for the three to take that as their leave, for an academic trip they will be taking with their teacher, Mr wensbow.

On the other hand, Dalia can’t help but caress the sky blue barrette/hair clasp handed to her as a gift, as a smile cowers her lips, realizing Zeniela might have indeed recognized the trouble it is she goes through with packing her hair.

“I see you like it.” Lucien’s words come through to Dalia, as they wave their goodbyes to the three whom now sit in the ride, while they watch them leave, yet, Dalia and Lucien remain. 

“Very much.” Dalia answers truthfully as her gaze alternates to Lucien, vividly viewing his face with the sun poking out of the clouds in steps. “Sometimes, I do wonder if they are indeed older than they look.” Dalia comments with a chuckle.

“Oh, I accept with you on that.” Lucien also chuckles. As their chuckle die, Dalia goes silent with her gaze down and so does Lucien, while they enjoy the seeping vitamin coming in from the early morning sun. 

“Have dinner with me,” At the words of Lucien, Dalia can no longer keep her head down, raising it to meet the gaze of Lucien’s green orbs on her already. “I do acknowledge it is a deviation from what it is we have in our hands, I do believe it should be a break for the tiring previous nights you have been having.” Lucien adds, whereas his word do not imply direct of his true feelings for wanting to have a dinner with Dalia, as it is indeed truth, for the past two days that Dalia has spent it on reading and learning about the logical reasoning Lucien informed her to be present in the competition.

Earlier on, Lucien had given her books of their past kings and queens tasks, written about how they did tackle it and possible questions it is they encountered. And With all of Dalia’s best she wants to help Lucien, even if it ends in meaning of her being his bride, as she can never be fully grateful for the help he has rendered to her, so her days of having to stay late nights would be nothing compared to her gratefulness.

“You are aware that I stay up late?” Dalia intrigued and astonished of Lucien knowing such private information, especially when she is mostly in her room.

“Yes Dalia, I am aware of that. And my apologies if you do think I am watching you, no, it isn’t so, as how I did get to know is your footsteps when you walk out of your room to the kitchen.” Lucien informs her, yet, her eyebrows still furrowing at her perplexity of not understanding fully. “I have sharp ears, Dalia, especially when it is that time of the night.” Lucien adds, as it pieces all together, while it views she seems to forget what kind of creature Lucien is.

If Lucien does say what it is he says, does it mean he does not sleep? Dalia questioning herself.

“Oh,” is Dalia’s first words, as she blushes in disgrace upon being caught, when what has just realized is that the palace is indeed a place filled with werewolves, which means the whole building must have heard her walks she called silent.

“No need to be ashamed Dalia, in fact, I am proud for the effort you’re taking.” Lucien tells her, while her gaze goes back to him, hearing for the second time his words of appraisal to her.

“Are you certain, the diner is just for my stressing mind?” Dalia decides to tease Lucien with her words, as that gets a smirk for him.

“Well that, and other reasons.” Lucien still answering in parables replies, taking a chuckle escape Dalia’s as she stares at him even more intrigued at what a man Lucien is.

———————

Dalia opens her door gently, as the blue satin gown she wears, appears first to the door, and up to her appearance, with her hair carrying the sky blue barrette Zeniela had given her. Dalia envisages in her head, of such a wonderful thing it is Zeniela has given her, as though she knew a day like this will come, when she will need it most.

Her legs walk gently and with efficacy, moving to the dining room, as on getting there, her lips go in awe at the display in front of her, rather the feast presented on the widest and longest dinning table she has ever laid eyes open.

Would it be fruits, meat, eggs, drinks and many other that her eyes feast on, taking a smile to cover her lips. 

“Good evening Miss.” one of the maids amongst the three who stand by the table, definitely to take in whatever she and Lucien’s request would be greets.  “Please sit. What would you like to have first?” The maid asks her, whereas Dalia’s lips only remain with a big smile to the maid.

Unlike any others may have encountered, it is Prominent that food to Dalia, is a way to win her heart. On knowing that, one would think because she is a commoner and has never gotten a feast like this, yet, while her parents still lived, the best time of Dalia’s moments was when they were about to have a meal. So, in the looks of it, she is just a natural born food lover.

Dalia’s eyes continues to roam the table, when she recalls, she is yet to meet the one whom asked for dinner. 

Lucien.

“Where is his highness?” Dalia inquires from the maid.

“Unfortunately, he has just left the palace not too long ago, but revised that I deliver his message, that he will not be too long to be back, and would require you to have your dinner before he arrives.” The maid tells Dalia, as her face falls slightly, feeling her appearance may come to a waste.

Envisaging about it, Dalia’s cheeks heat up with the thought that she admits that she may be trying to impress Lucien, and that is no longer a secret anymore.

“Thank you, but I would prefer to wait for his arrival.” Dalia speaks, taking a seat.

“But, his highness strictly asked me to serve you before he gets back.” The maid insist. 

“I appreciate your efforts and I am grateful, but let me ask you, if indeed he does get back and I have just completed my meal, would you advise me to eat another with him?” Dalia questions the maid with a smirk on her lips, as that gets the maid to actually smile.

“Not at all, Miss.” The maid answers.

“Exactly. So thank you, I would still prefer to wait for his highness.” Dalia repeats as this time, the maid neither counters her words.

Time begins to go by, yet, still no sign of Lucien, as the seat in which Dalia sits on begins to hurt her behind with the pressure she puts on them waiting nervously for Lucien. Her gaze moves to her side, seeing the three maids still present with her, and with such suffering of having their feet standing for such a long period.

“Why don’t you three take your seats, it seems his highness isn’t here yet.” Dalia advices gently to the three maids.

“No Miss, we are fine. Also, it will be wrong for us to do so.” The second of the maid speaks this time, as Dalia nods her head in understanding at how wrong others may perceive it, if they indeed come to see them.

“If it is such case, then, I give you the permission to go and rest. Once his highness is back, I will take care of the rest. It is nothing that I can not do.” Dalia informs them.

“Oh no Miss, we can not do that also. His highness...”

“Yes, I know his highness asked you to serve me, and this is me using your services.” Dalia already know what will complete the maids words speaks, countering her with her own words.

“But...”

“You have nothing to worry about. I will take full responsibility.” Dalia assures them truthfully, with the three staring to one another in contemplation, when indeed the sole of their feet are beginning to ache. “Go and have your rest.” Dalia pushes them again, as this time they do not resist.

“Thank you Miss. Thank you.” The first maid showers her gratitude with a heartfelt smile on her lips, as with this event, she now realizes the truthfulness of the words that go around Dalia about her kindness.

More than an hour which the maids leave, do Dalia have no sight of Lucien, as with the pain on her behind, she gets up from her chair, stretching her feet. Dalia beginning to become tired and disappointed having another hour go by again and still no sight of his highness, such that even the huger and excitement which she had earlier seems to have diminished.

Waiting another long hour for Lucien and seeing no glimpse of him, having the stars come out brightly and the night becoming quiet at of it’s lateness, Dalia decides to give up and just return back to her room, seeing as Lucien might not be coming back anytime soon.

Perhaps he has his hands occupied. Yet, he shouldn’t have asked her for a dinner, if he would not be present. Dalia battles in her head, with the feeling of disappointment and anger slowly building up in her.

Or perhaps he has better things to do than dine with a commoner such as herself. Another thought invading her head, as many of such begins swimming through, and Dalia can’t help but feel melancholy build up in her.

Why is she feeling such way, for something such as little as this? Dalia asks herself, as it has been a week of being in the palace, yet, she is beginning to feel a dangerous attachment to Lucien that she is starting to raise her expectations.

All these thoughts battling her head, when Dalia decides to call it quits and head to her room, as when she arrives, the feeling of having ones hope crushed keeps surfacing her heart, that she finds herself wanting more from Lucien, when she shouldn’t, after all, she is nothing but a commoner.

And so does she carry such thoughts in her head, till her head hits the pillow and slumber succumbs her with disappointments of a certain prince.