The Modern Princess

CHAPTER TWO

I set everything up; I filed a one week leave so that I can meet this strange clan. It has been a while since we’ve been talking about this wedding arrangement but it does not still frighten me. I don’t have any idea how the man I am about to marry will look like. I unexpectedly thought of Sophia, will she like it if I tell her that I am about to get married? I have no idea.

“Mom, I want to go to Europe” Karl said. He’s sniffing and with a temperature of thirty-eight degrees Celsius, my stubborn brother. He was supposed to be with me in Europe to see the original copy of the agreement. Karl loves history though he graduated with flying colors in Marketing Communications. He said and I quote ‘Why do you have to study something [history] if I’m already great at it? There will be no thrill in that’ Boastful bastard isn’t he?

“Of course you can’t come, you have a contagious disease” I said, legs crossed and seated at the couch inside his room waiting for mom to finish preparing for Karl’s medicines and telling Trina about Karl’s medication.

“It’s just a fever” he said irritably.

“That could be an AH1N1”

“Stop, you two” Mom said.

“Mom, I want to go” Karl insisted.

“If you were not so stubborn and you didn’t drink ‘til you die and brought umbrella with you then you can possibly come”

“Stop it Kathy” Okay I’ll stop. Karl is four years younger than me, whenever we have family reunions they always kiddingly say that Karl might get wed before me and I just give them a smile as a reply, the hell I care anyway. He got home drunk yesterday, our family driver fetched him from the bar, it was raining hard, he’s all wet and he forgot his key inside his car. Brilliant isn’t he?

“Karl, take a rest here, you can go to Europe anytime. Go look after yourself honey.” Why he wants to come? He wants to see the Palace of Lexumbia personally.

Finally after the long discussions with Karl we are now heading to the airport. Mom, dad, grandma and I will all go the airport and this is the first time they’re going to see Jeanne. All expenses were initially paid by them; I will give them the money as soon as they assess all expenses we’ve had.

The driver gathered my things and handed it to me, we’ve passed through an isolated alleyway towards Jeanne’s private plane. I somehow think how much money did they pay for him not to be rumored to be in this country? I know a lot of people in show business, and this is a big buzz if they know it.

My stuffs was gathered by men in black which I suppose where Jeanne’s bodyguard, all of them have their nameplate with them, maybe because they’re too many to be remembered.

“Good day Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey” he greeted and from where did he come from? I do not know.

“I’m Jeanne Eisenhower sir/ma’am”

“Good afternoon Jeanne” my father greeted. I can see sparks in their hands. Mom kissed his cheeks as well as granny.

“The photos were true, you indeed is a handsome man” Granny complimented. Seriously?

“Thank you…”

“Granny or mamita. Whichever you’ll be comfortable with” I rolled my eyes.

“I think I can die peacefully after you guys marry” Really granny? I thought granny didn’t want this?

“Mamita” mom warned.

“Take care of my daughter Jeanne” my father said. “I will sir” and they shook hands again.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” he asked for the last time.

“No, we want her to make a decision on her own” dad said and mom rolled her eyes. My mom is a hopeless romantic, well, not hopeless maybe, but she believes that I can marry whoever I want to, regardless whether he’s the poorest or the richest man, as long as I love him, that’s what matters the most.

“We have to go now” I said, passing the message that they should leave us now. “Have a nice trip” dad said and hugged me.

I’ve officially wasted five hours, fifty four minutes and twelve seconds of my life. Not that I’m counting, but from the time we came on board we haven’t talked more than three sentences. ‘Ask John anything you need, If you want to sleep you can lay down on the cabin and lastly, Wake up Kathy, we’re here’. That was too much word to remember right?

He’s been busy typing at his laptop the whole time and he does looks like he doesn’t want to be disturbed.

Looking through the huge gates finally we are here. I felt nervous as we enter the palace. I can feel the heat in my face. Who will not be nervous if you were in my place? Wait, what am I wearing? A cerulean long-sleeve dress and beige nude pumps. Certainly, I am not well dressed. Can I still change my clothes? When will I learn that I should always dress to impress?

The car passed around the elegant fountain. The Grand Palace of Lexumbia, it looks far better from the photos. It’s an enormous palace in the middle of the greenish, well-landscaped garden that cannot be seen from the outside.

The Palace was known to be attacked a lot during the medieval period and has been conquered by different countries, mainly because it is full of resources, mainly on spices and gold mines. We passed through three gates, the first one was a curtain wall, it was made of rock and adobe that covers the whole palace. From the outside, three fourths of the Palace cannot be seen. The second one was almost the same as the first one which was not so far from the first gate but a little lower that the first one, and the third gate was made of steel where you can see the beauty of the Palace. Why does it have to be three?

“The second gate was the oldest gate, it was a strong and conquerors at the medieval and even after that, had a hard time putting it down, but some point in time, it did collapse somehow so they decided to put a bigger fence during the times of war. The Royal Family shall be protected. No group cannot stand without a leader right?” I don’t remember myself being this predictable. Am I too obvious?

“How about the third gate?” I asked. He chuckled and replied. “I cannot have any explanation with that aside from the fact that my mom thinks it is the gate that best suits the palace. She says that after getting through the ugly fences of the palace, the visitors deserves to see the real beauty” Hearing that statement somehow made me smile. Jeanne’s mom sounds poetic.

Aside from the fountain and the steel gate, I can truly say that it was indeed inspired by the Medieval age. Palace is not actually an appropriate term for it I think it shall be a castle. It is purely made of stone painted with white and call me crazy but I think I will get lost on this castle and I think I’m really crazy because I think it somehow looks like the castle in the game Mario. It has three huge canonical spires which have no traces of formation and with different heights, actually I want to go at the highest one, surely I’ll see the whole city there. Main bailey on the front and windows which I lost count anymore.

Jeanne assisted me on going down the car, he offered a hand on me which he didn’t remove as we walk towards the palace. A man was standing beside the door giving us a warm smile.

“Good afternoon your highness” he bowed. “Duchess Elizabeth will be waiting for you in the living room”

“Is she alone?”

“Yes your highness” his hand still holding mine, I look around the Palace, the smell of lavender was all over it. Grande white carpeted staircase in front of me, on my left side was a little waiting area for the guest. A three layer chandelier on the ceiling and two pillars on the side. He assists me as we go up and seriously the palace is pleasing to my eyes. I’ve seen different doors and two more stairs, but not as grande as the one on the entrance. Surely, if you leave me here, it will take time before I can go out of it.

“The living room is there” He said pointing on the third room away from us, sensing that I am kind of thinking how far will it still be, but before we get inside the living room. “Jeanne honey” a sweet female voice said.

“Mom” Jeanne responded. She’s wearing a three-fourths beige dress, partnered with white pointed heels, pearl necklace and earrings and completed by a smile. She’s still smiling towards our way as we walk towards her, welcoming us warmly. The duchess kissed her son and turn to me.

She held me on the shoulders and turned to Jeanne. “She’s beautiful” and smiled at me. “Good afternoon, I am Elizabeth the wife of Henri and the mother of your betrothed Jeanne” she kissed my cheeks.

“Good afternoon your majesty” She has an aristocratic beauty, her nose is the same with Jeanne’s, as well as the shape of her face—square. She looks a little edgy but she’s not intimidating at all. And she complimented me!

“No, don’t call me your majesty, call me mom or auntie. After sometime you will be part of our family. Come on let’s go inside, I know you are still restless but I wish we can talk for awhile.” Mom? I can’t say that! She’s a duchess!

“How did your travel go?” she asked while her hand on the small of my back as we walk in rhythm.

“It was great.” s**t. How should I talk to her? “Thank you very much a…untie.”

“We’re happy you liked it” she smiled. She.is.so.gorgeous.

Their palace is magnificent and enormous, well interior design, the colors are great and the paintings are everywhere, all of which are portraits of kings, queens and family picutres. I think they are their ancestors, who among them did this marriage arrangements?

“We are very sorry if we are not able to inform you that we are the other family, we don’t want you to be in trouble. If we will go there in the Philippines surely media will wonder why are we there. And the moment they know, it will be hard for you to move. By the way you will stay here in our home; we’ve cancelled your hotel accommodation and please feel free in this house”

“I believe you don’t have to do that aunt. I’ll be fine in the hotel.” I tried to really say it in a nice way.

“We strongly want you to stay here. It is also for your security, security here is better than what we can provide when you stay in a hotel, you are our visitor and more than that you are soon to be part of our family so let’s not get uncomfortable with one another” How can she have a powerful statement with just having a low voice and a very sweet accent?

Somebody knocked on the door and placed a piece of cake and tea for each one of us, John also came in after a few minutes. I was sitting beside the duchess while Jeanne was on the chair adjacent. John

“At dinner time you will meet the rest of our family, my eldest son George with his family, my daughter Tasha and my husband Henri. They are today out for work and I asked them to join us by dinner.”

“It is just our family, your family and John that has knowledge about this fix marriage, any other personnel here does not know anything. The marriage will be after three months…I think Jeanne has mention about that and it is also for your safety honey, we do not want much controversies for this and it will be harder for you since paparazzo’s are really everywhere, whatever she does will surely be published in tabloids, we cannot protect you well if we will prolong this”

“Mom don’t put too much pressure on her. Why don’t you show her the necklace and the contract first?” Jeanne said.

“Oh yes, I almost forgot it” she opened the antique box in front of us where I saw the original copy of the agreement and it’s real, just like how granny described it. It has a blood on the side, from my ancestor and his, that serves as a line, and right above it was their signature.

She then showed me a snowflake shaped white gold pendant filled with diamonds, the middle part of it has nothing and in my mind I utter “It can’t be wrong, this will fit perfectly on the friendship pendant that is with me”

I reached for my clutch where the friendship pendant was, ours was an asterisk shaped white gold pendant with an aquamarine diamond in the middle. The room went silent and Jeanne leaned closer to us. The Duchess was in awe when she saw our part.

“It’s true, it has a piece of Cullinan diamond” she said. “Here try to see if it fits” and she handed me theirs. Granny told me not to put the asterisk where it should be at. Instead, I shall put it otherwise and turn it thrice.

I followed granny’s instruction; I put the asterisk in between the snowflakes and turned it once, twice, thrice. It fits! The duchess sighed in relief. “Finally, we met the clan that saved my husband’s clan. Thank you” she hugged me tight and I felt the love, like from my real mom.

After we’ve finished our food the butler send us in our rooms. I changed my clothes and just right in time someone knock on the door, Is it Jeanne?

“Come in” I said. It was a woman, she’s a European, I don’t know from which country, I’m not great at that, she’s tall with white complexion and she wears formal office attire.

“The duchess said to bring you around ma’am” she said.

“Wait, I want to go around, just give me a second? She nodded. “Yes your royal highness” What did she just said? Can she never repeat that?I get my camera and changed pumps into flats. Bring around in pumps? No way!

When I closed the door I said softly “Call me Kathy please, I’m not yet married to the prince in the first place and I don’t feel comfortable being addressed that way”

“But the duchess said...” I did not let her finish her sentence.

“Then call me such if we’re around her” I winked and opened my camera to see if it was fully charged.

“By the way can I take pictures?” I asked, is it allowed? I’ve never seen much photos of the palace.

“Yes ma’am Kathy”

“Don’t worry; I’m not going use it for something bad. What’s your name by the way?”

“Ava ma’am”

“Okay let’s go Ava”

She showed me around the castle, I seriously never have been inside a castle; there are a lot of rooms here, literally. They have different themes from Asian to American to European; Ava said that whenever there is a royal wedding, the visitors stay here. I will be lost if you leave me here alone, some rooms have different architectural design but every one of them is really beautiful. I love the paintings that I can see around, it lightens my mood, I think I should also put some paintings in my unit so that I’ll be more at peace and it’s more relaxing. After showing me around the house she showed me the garden and I actually love it, full grown flowers and well landscaped.

“Can you leave me here?” I asked.

“Yes ma’am but can you go back in your room?” Honestly I can’t. “If you want I’ll be back in a few minutes”

“No need. Yes I can go back. I just want to be alone and take some photos here” I don’t like someone watching as I take photos.

This place is heaven, I’ve been here for few hours and yet I can say that all stresses that my work had brought me were removed because of this. I can stay here all day looking at these lovely flowers. I have to take a photo of these. I think stepping back will give a better angle. I stepped back and I stepped on something. s**t! I got out of balance!

“Are you alright?” a man asked, his one hand is on my back and the other on my arm. Tall fair skinned man with brown eyes and blonde hair. He wears a buttoned up polo shirt and khaki pants

“Yes” I immediately moved away from his touch.

“I’m sorry” I turned my camera off; I look down on my feet, trying to straighten my straight clothes. I’m having a hard time in making an eye contact or shall I say I really can’t make an eye contact at all. Who is he?

He lifted my chin, forcing me to look at his brown eyes. “So you are the fiancée? I’m Lance…Jeanne’s cousin” he offered a hand to me and I shake it, to my surprise he kissed my hand then his hand was slap away.

“Hey Jeanne” he turned into him, while Jeanne secured a hand on my waist.

“I just met your fiancée…the betrothed one” he smirk and frown was only Jeanne’s response.

“She looks lovely and…yummy” he made an hourglass shape with his hands. What the…

“Go to hell Lance” Jeanne growled.

“Don’t you know? I live there with you” he chuckled. “This is unfair don’t you think? Dad’s the second born, then I am dad’s second born” he paused “So I think the agreement shall be passed to dad then to me. I should be the betrothed one”

“But that wasn’t the way it was passed in our clan”

“But that’s logical”

“If that’s the way it was passed then you still wouldn’t be her fiancée because the agreement shall be passed to the second born of the first generation of our clan who contracted to this…”

He stepped forward and towering Lance and poked his chest “So.stop.dreamig.on.Lance” Lance replied with a chuckle and turn into me. “Overprotective fiancé isn’t he?”

“Cool Jeanne. I’m just kidding. Anyway, I have to go now. I just drop by to give auntie the cake mom baked. Good day Kate” he said and wink on me.

“Sorry for my troublesome cousin” Jeanne said. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I answered. “Let’s go in”

It was around seven o’ clock when the butler knocked on my door. I spend the rest of the day looking at the articles over the internet; reading and trying keep myself busy, I’ve read current news in the Philippines, something about history and my favorite above all about Fashion. Time is precious; we should never have a spare time. I was still brushing my hair, trying to get ready for tonight’s dinner when someone knocks over the door.

“Kathy, the dinner is ready; you have to go down now. Your family is now down there” It’s Ava.

“Okay, give me a minute” I immediately brush my hair and pour some Dolce and Gabbana light blue perfume on my red silk dress.

When I went down it was like we are having a formal dinner meeting. I can see Duchess Marie, Duke Henri, Princess Tasha, Prince George, Duchess Grace with their kids and my fiancé Prince Jeanne. I was still standing when they arrive; it was like they are walking in a slow motion, Duchess Marie, Duchess Grace and Princess Tasha walks with modesty.

I was about to seat when Tasha came in to me, “Hi Kathy! I’m Tasha” She kissed my cheeks and hugged me tight, it is as if she knows me for a long time. She wears a floral dress with a tiny silver belt, she wears simple but her smile makes her outfit extra ordinary.

“Hi. Nice to meet you Tasha, How was your day?” Just trying to make a conversation.

“Oh, it was fine but tiring.” She pouts.

“A little shopping will do the trick”

“Exactly! You know what I like you, we should go shopping together and you really have a great sense of fashion” Oh my. How can she tell that after a minute of knowing me?

Okay, this time I’m really sitting down, but before I can pull my chair, Jeanne had pulled it, what a gentleman, like it’s real. Yeah I know that sounds judgmental but it’s a reality, all men will hurt you, it’s just a matter of when.

“Thank you” I mutter. Through my peripheral vision I saw the Duchess smiled affirming to what Jeanne has done.

Duke Henri was sitting in the middle chair; on his right was Duchess Marie, Prince Greg, Duchess Grace and their two kids who’s really so charming, on the other side was Princess Tasha then me and Jeanne.

“Thank you for coming here in Lexumbia, it’s a pleasure to meet you” Duke Henri said

“It’s a pleasure your highness” I said.

“Please call us in our names; we will soon be a family, feel comfortable with us” duchess asked, she’s so lovely but I do not like that really. Isn’t it disrespectful?

“We do have plans for you so you can cherish your stay here in Lexumbia” the duke said, he’s really giving me a warm welcome.

“Yeah, that will be great, Thank you uncle” I said. I find a hard time saying that word.

“You know Kathy, I’m really excited that you will be my sister-in-law! You look much great in person than those in pictures!” So they have my pictures. Did they ask someone to look over my profile? s**t! What did they found out? Now I’m panicking, what exactly have they seen?

“Thank you but you are way too beautiful than me and you really are attractive”

“Well by the way, as we are talking about this now in favor of this fix marriage?” the duke asked.

“I am still certain with my decision uncle but I think we should also take your side too, we fully understand if you do not want to pursue this wedding” I said.

“I think Jeanne must answer that” the duchess said, now it is us who are deciding.

“Nothing changed with my decision, I agree with this marriage” he said

“Well great then! We will have a royal wedding this year!” Tasha said excitedly.

The dinner then was finally over and we went to the living room to drink some wine and have small talks. Jeanne and Greg are talking about the business while Tasha was over the phone. Grace’s phone ringed and she excused herself from her daughter whom is playing with—Laureen. I was seated at the lounge and checking my e-mail trying to see if there are work for me but I didn’t found any. At a far, I’ve seen Laurent assembling his toy car. It’s like it was newly bought and his nanny is helping him and I tried to help too.

Laureen is a very cute girl and they way she said that was so soft and charming; really princess like. I’ve seen her playing with a doll house with her nanny while I was busy assembling Laurent’s toy. I can’t help but smile at her, she’s dazzling little girl when we were done assembling it Laureen came over me.

“Auntie, let’s play please?” she asked Grace still busy over the phone.

“Of course” I smiled and hold her hand towards the other lounge “Oh, you have a nice doll house” I stand and smiled at her, she’s playing with it on the carpet and so I decided to sit on the floor carpet. If I’ll be careful I can sit in the carpet though I’m wearing a dress right?

“This is Auntie Tasha’s gift last Christmas” she started brushing the doll’s hair.

“Oh, that’s why it’s very nice” I haven’t seen any doll house like this, it is very elegant and it’s about my knee level high, it has a kidney shaped pool and it’s like a mini castle. I love doll houses when I was little I find all of their things cute. I sometimes wish to be a small doll so I can roam around the doll house I owned before.

“Let me tell you a story using this doll house” I asked for the princess she was holding, the doll was wearing a red ball gown designed with sequins and beads, she has a very pretty face, a long hair which is braided and a tiara.

“Will you like that?”

“Auntie I want to listen to your story” Laurent said as he run towars us.

“Come join us Laurent” I encourage. Laureen, sit closer to me, my one hand on her side and her head almost resting on my chest.

“Once upon a time there was a lovely princess; she’s pretty, kind, humble and intelligent lady. She loves studying a lot and she make friends easily, everybody loves this Princess. One day, the princess went to a ball with her family, there she met her prince charming. Her prince charming was a handsome and brave man; the prince approached him and asked for her name. What she does not know that the man was a son of a king and the hereditary of the throne. The man asked if he can dance with her, so they dance and dance and dance, and there she has known that he was a prince.” I let the toys dance together.

“That night is not the only time they’ve seen one another, they continued seeing each other every day ‘til they fall in love” I was like narrating a story… a bases on true to life story.

“What happened after that Auntie?” she asked curiously, she’s very excited and can’t wait for the next part of the story.

“They are very happy being together; but one day a wicked witch came in and she stole the prince from the princess” I parted the prince and the princess. Laureen is very interested in my story, I know I am a good narrator, I know that sounds so boastful but I really love narrating.

“And the princess got very…very…very…sad and she…cried…and cried…and cried” sad voice was coming from me, I said every word slowly.

“But the princess never taught that she will soon meet his real prince that will make her happy” Jeanne said, he’s walking towards us; I never knew he was listening to this story telling thing. I thought all this time he was busy discussing business over the phone right after he talked to Greg. He sat down, legs crossed and Laureen sit in between his legs.

“You know that story too uncle?” Laureen looked at Jeanne, her hands on his chest, their faces are very near and Laureen never hide her excitement about this story. I do not know what Jeanne will tell her, I even don’t know why he just suddenly spoke.

“Yes baby” and he put his arms around Laureen, I can say that he is really close with Laureen and Laurent, they seem to have a tight relation and who wouldn’t love them? He really has cute niece and nephew.

“They met in a beautiful gathering, where the prince saw the lonely princess on the side, the prince didn’t waste time and he tried to impress the princess, but she wasn’t easily impressed, instead he ignored the prince. But the prince was dedicated and he captured the heart of the princess, then she got happy again and they got married and lived happily ever after” they looked at each other, Jeanne did not use of the dolls. I do not know why he is saying this, he’s showing kindness perhaps? Or maybe he just does not want the ending to be sad. s**t! Maybe I’m giving Laureen a bad impression about love. I’m so cruel.

“What happen to the first prince?” Laureen looked curious, she’s still asking Jeanne and she’s very interested with the story.

“The princess does not know what happened to him Laureen” I said, it’s because I really don’t know what happened after I left him. I shrug and suddenly felt sadness.

Laurent walked towards me and replaced Laureen, he hold my hand and said, “Auntie I also want to play with you again please? holding his robots on the other hand.

“Of course baby” I hold on his hair. This kid that I am with, will be the future Duke, who would have thought of that? That’s a big responsibility.

“Laureen, Laurent we have to go” Grace shouted, it is around ten o’clock in the evening when I checked on my clock, I never taught such great time was spend already, maybe I really had fun being with these kids, they are like my stress relievers.

“But I haven’t played with Auntie Kathy again mom” Laurent said.

“We will play next time Laurent. I promise”

“Promise?” and he offered me his pinky finger. Wow, it’s cool that he knows that.

“Promise” I grabbed his pinky finger and do the pink swear.

“Auntie, let’s play again next time please?” Laureen pleaded again, her hands faces one another, no one can ever say no to this kid, she’s very amiable; if I can just choose my own kids I will choose them both.

“Sure, but only if you will kiss me” I told her, she went away from Grace’s hand and kissed me with sound then.

“Me too” Laurent said as he run towards me, oh cute little kid! Too bad they’re not my kids. I know unconsciously I want to have my own kids, but to get married? It’s something I am afraid of, something I am not certain if I want it.

“Of course Laurent” I bend down so that Laurent can reach me.

“We have to go Kathy” Grace smiled benevolently.

“Sure, take care Grace” and I kissed her cheeks. No wonder why she has great kids, she herself is great, a very good mother and wife like the Duchess. I surely cannot do what they are doing, they are offering much sacrifices for their love ones. I never offered much sacrifices for my love ones, it’s not so me.

“You have great kids” I murmur.

“I know you will soon have your own” she said. I wish I really can have one, but that’s uncertain, very uncertain.

I walked with them going until we reach the door and say our goodbyes. His family and I went to their respective rooms, when George’s family left Ava accompanied me towards my room. I locked my room the time I entered it, removed my shoes and accessories then headed to the bathroom to take a shower. I finally met the Royal Family of Lexumbia and all of them seem to be fine, none of them judges me and my family, they all accepted us warm and whole heartedly.

I checked on my e-mail and see if any e-mails are waiting for me, but still I found nothing. I know it’s been a long day, but I am not yet sleepy. What to do then? I have no idea. Well, maybe a glass of milk will help.

I immediately went out of bed to go down and grab a glass of milk. I am not sure if I will be able to reach the kitchen but I’ll never know if I will not try, I love adventure, besides I will not go far in this house; I mean this is still a house.

I went out of my room and walk tip-toed, trying not to make a single noise. I know the kitchen is downstairs but am I on my right way to get there? I have no idea, I just keep on walking and walking until I found a big door, is this it?

I sighed “Thank God” Yes. I reach the kitchen; I do not know how but I just did. I immediately looked for a glass then I opened the fridge and looked for fresh milk. I feel like I am a robber, I feel nervous as I do this. Okay Kathy, close the fridge’s door, get a glass of milk, turn around then go back to your room.

“Ah!” I screamed out loud.

“Hey. It’s me”

“Could you sometimes greet me in a freakin’ normal way?” This f*****g prince, can he not surprise me all the time? I sound angry. Gosh! Why did I say that? I should have been more patient; your manners Kathy, but I was shocked I did not have time to think of what I should have said.

“Sorry, I was frightened” I sound apologetic; I will be careful with my words next time.

“Sorry, I did not intend to frighten you” he sounds more apologetic than I did. I have to attend some acting workshop when I reach home.

“Yeah, I know.” I faked a smile and pour the milk in the glass

“How long have you been there?” Just trying to make a conversation with this prince, who keeps on shocking me.

“Not so long”

“You want some milk?”

“No, I am about to get water actually”

He gets himself a glass of water and after I pour some milk I sit on the chair nearby “Can we talk?” I asked.

“Sure” he then sits on the chair beside me. He’s wearing a white plain shirt that emphasizes he built of his body and pajamas. “What do you want to talk about?”

“I am not sure if you have agreed with this wedding arrangements or not but if you do not, feel free to stand against this. Look I have nothing to lose, and if you accept this arrangement all lost is on you. You just have to tell. I have no problem with it”

“Kathy, I affirmed with this. You never forced me to besides I told you I do affirm when we were having dinner” he gave me wide beautiful smile. Why does he have to always give me that smile? It… it… it softens my heart.

“Did I tell anything that would hurt you?” he sounds so calm.

“No, no. Don’t mind me.” I murmur then take a sip of my milk.

“How about you? You affirm with this?”

“Yeah” I simply answered.

“Why?” My eyes grew wider. Why did I affirm with this?

I took a deep breath before answering. “I do not have an acceptable reason actually. Maybe because I do not want this to be passed on the next generations anymore and I have nothing to lose…actually, the lost is on you.”

“Jeanne, I don’t mind being rejected if you want to call it off.”

“It was my decision to say yes Kathy, No one, not even mom oblige me, though I can say, she really likes you” his face was perfect, no wonder why many ladies like him and the way he speak, he seems like he mean every word he says.

“Y-Yes” I said. I bet what he said was answerable by yes or no but I do not have any word in mind that I can tell.

“How long have you known this marriage arrangement?”

“We’ve known it months before we approached you. Even before you utter your name when we met at the hotel, I previously knew it. It was me who knew first about this fix marriage thing.”

“And that’s unfair, I do not know any detail about you before, not even your surname or where you live”

“That’s how things work, and that’s also for your good” then we both drink what we’ve got. Nobody talked and there was an awkward silence.

“So that includes the photos that Tasha said?” I asked

“Yeah”

“A background check then?”

“Yes” So they’ve done what mom planned to do with them. Wow, I never thought of that.

“So have you seen that I was a drug lord or something?” I asked and that made him laugh, the laugh was contagious that it made me laugh too.

“You look prettier when you smile” he said and that change the joyful ambiance to seriousness. I take another sip of my milk and didn’t look back at him.

“We didn’t see anything like that” he said now he sounds serious.

I faked a yawn. “I’m a bit sleepy now. It’s late; I guess we better sleep. Give me your glass” I said and reached for his glass but he hesitates to give it to me.

“No, they can do that first thing in the morning” still refusing to give me the glass

“Don’t worry I know how to wash dishes” I faked a smile.

“I’ll wait for you. I’ll bring you to your room”

“Thanks!” I’d rather accept that offer than risking.

I roam around the castle with Ava, she’s like my secretary here in Lexumbia, but I think tour guide is a much better term. I looked again at different paintings of their ancestors, now I am staring at them closely. Jeanne got their eyes, brown almond shape eyes. I walked again; I realized that I was staring at his grandfather’s portrait for so long. I don’t know how to tell them that I want to stay in a hotel. I don’t want to be seen staying in this Palace since that would mean a lot of controversies. I can really imagine what headings these tabloids will give me, I think it is a blessing in disguise that he is not the heir of the throne; at least the attention is more focused to George than him.

“Kathy” the duchess greeted.

“Hi…auntie” That’s awkward for me still.

“Why don’t you go out?” and spend your money? No way. Not again.

“Actually, I want to talk auntie, can we?”

“Of course” then we seated at the nearby lounge. The duchess sit beside me her legs flat on the floor, she’s sitting up straight and her body’s facing my direction.

“I don’t know how to say this. Uhm… Can I just stay in a hotel nearby? I know Jeanne and I will have our first public appearance tomorrow so… I mean, I don’t want controversies saying that we are living in the same house”

“I understand but the paparazzo will surely be after you Kathy” she said, I know she’s after my safety but it’s something that I guess I can handle.

“I can manage auntie, please?” she sighed hard, blinked, then shake her head.

“Anything that will make you happy Kathy, I tell Ava to bring you in a hotel” that gave me a smile though I thought she will disagree. “But, be careful honey, okay?”

“I will, Thanks auntie” I smiled. “I’ll just pack my things” and she nodded.