The Fight for The Princess’ Hand

The Sixth Chapter

I didn’t know what I was doing. It had been a while since I dressed myself, so I scurried to my room to throw something better - only to come with a mere shawl. I don't know if it was because she was a fellow woman, but I felt more comfortable in these nightgown clothes in her presence.

I was grateful for nobody to be awake yet. Veronica was dressed in a long coat, deciding to wear pants and a simple men's frilly undergarment. The air was cold, as we walked in silence beside each other, it felt… liberating. My whole body was on fire while we were in close proximity. I was nervous, yet excited at the same time when we were alone like this.

We walked through the entrance to the garden as I guided her towards the imported Lilacs.

"What ever spurred you to summon me for this endeavor?"

My mind was clouded- all I could think about was her body’s close proximity and my vision of us this morning. I couldn't find myself to look at her nor respond as I bent down to smell the light purple flowers.

"Princess?"

I tried not to show how her calling affected me, but I couldn't help the way I tensed. I couldn't let her call me that lest I were to lose my inhibitions. I turned to her, slightly breathless as my body suddenly seemed to erupt with goosebumps. Queen Veronica looked concerned, worried as she examined me. I gave her a small smile, "Please. Call me by my name."

"Very well... Arethina." She spoke, her plump lips suddenly reminding of plums. I wanted to devour them.

I blinked, pursing my lips and refuting those thoughts. "To answer your question, I just wanted to seek your council."

She immediately grinned, "Are you saying you enjoy my company?"

I scoffed, looking away and walking towards the Lavenders instead. "Is the notion that hard to comprehend?"

"In truth, yes." She let out light laugh, following slightly behind and observing the way I grazed my fingers across the red roses.

I stayed silent for a moment, taking a deep breath to further compose myself before I shrugged nonchalantly. "I must admit, despite my attempts not to do so, I find your company... refreshing."

"Is that so?"

My nightgown had slightly faltered as I walked, exposing my shoulders and making me slightly shiver. I softly huffed, "Very much so. Your confidence on the fact our union shall happen and the way you don't behave like a lady amuses me."

"Are you saying I'm not a lady?"

"Not like any I know." I turned with a smirk, only to see her step closer with a scrutinizing gaze. My lips opened slightly as my breath hitched. My brows furrowed, my chin looking up to her in slight defiance. I murmured, "What are you-"

"I am just as much as a lady as any other woman."

I blinked. "I didn't mean to-"

"Just because I'm not afraid to pursue what I want doesn't make me any less of a lady."

"I know that." I spoke up, making my stance clear. "I didn't mean to offend. I merely meant to say that the way that I... admire the way you defy society's expectations."

Her gaze softened, looking my face up and down. Her gaze traveled below my chin, examining my exposed skin.

I spoke up, my voice a slight whisper, "What is it you want, Queen Veronica?"

Her eyes met mine. "Why... to marry the princess, of course."

I let out a sigh, shaking my head in dismissal as I turned back towards the flowers. We were by the peonies now. "Well, get in line. Everyone seems to want the princess."

"I fear you misunderstand." Veronica spoke with urgency, as if she feared this misunderstanding would drift us. "I don't want to just marry a princess, nor a princess of this kingdom."

I stopped in my tracks, not moving my gaze from the peonies, tightly holding my shawl close.

"I want to marry you. I fancy you. You are the princess for me, Arethina."

I turned back to her quickly, looking at her in confusion. "How... How do you know?"

Veronica bit her lip, seemingly finding a hard time to explain herself. We stood there as I waited eagerly for her answer. The wind picked up. I looked down, moving my hands to hug myself in an attempt to stay warm.

"Here." Her voice was soft as she leaned in, wrapping my shoulders in her long black coat as she secured it around me. I felt warmth immediately. Her face focused on the buttons, securing the first three before her hands rested on my shoulders. I couldn't tear my eyes away from hers.

"I knew you were the one for me when I first met you."

"When you first... what?" I felt thoroughly confused. "What do you mean? In the Throne Room?"

She shook her head and continued, "I've travelled far and wide, searching for my bride. And from the moment we first spoke those years ago-"

"Wait." I stepped away from her, my cheeks burning from the cold as I spoke. "You met me... before this?"

Queen Veronica went to respond, opening her mouth and closing it again with a chew of her bottom lip. I grunted in frustration.

She smiled with reassurance, changing the subject. "My apologies, Arethina. I misspoke-"

"It's Princess Arethina to you." I raised a brow.

She clenched her jaw, looking away with visible anger before glancing back towards me with a nod. "Why don't we go inside then? I fear someone will catch us and see you in improper attire, Princess."

I shook my head with a scowl.

"I'll escort you to your chambers."

"How about I escort you, Veronica?" I sharply said her name and ignored her title, irritated at the fact she was hiding something from me. After years of my father's deflections, I've learned to recognize his tactics. "It's my castle, after all."

"Right." She quickly said, rolling her eyes and turning towards the castle. She looked back at me, gesturing for me to lead the way.

"Hmph." I snobbily raised my chin, walking past her and not giving her so much as a second glance.

"You really are a princess, aren't you?" She teased.

I felt myself fume. We walked in silence, my eyes glaring ahead while we walked to her place of stay.

We approached her door, and I nodded in acknowledgement as I turned to leave.

She grabbed my shoulder, stopping me in place. "Wherever do you go?"

I turned back, looking at the grasp she had on my shoulder and then looking at her with a scowl. "To my quarters."

She let go, allowing me to not be as tense. "Why?"

"You stated we should come inside and escort ourselves to our chambers-"

"I never said whose quarters we'd be in."

"You want me... in your chambers?" My eyes slightly widened, my body flustering as my mind raced through all the possibilties of what we would do in her bed chambers.

"Is the notion that hard to comprehend?" She repeated my phrase from earlier back to me, causing me to huff in annoyance.

I straightened my shoulders, "I suppose not."

Veronica opened the door, welcoming me into her chambers. I widened my eyes at all the black across the room, how her bed was decorated with black silk sheets and pillows, the room having been transformed from what it was once was.

"Admire it?"

"It's definitely... you." I examined further, approaching the lounging chair nearby and sitting on it. I crossed one leg over the other, smoothing my nightgown over my knee.

Veronica went to stand in front of me, a small smile. "You're annoyed."

"How observant. Is that what makes a good Queen?"

"Yes." She answered without hesitation. Her arms crossed, c*****g her hip and raising a brow with a smirk decorated on her lips.

I stiffened as she went quiet while examining me. I raised a brow back, uneasy. "What? What is it?"

Her smirk faded into a small smile, "I never thought you'd entertain me so."

"Entertain you?"

"Erm..." She shrugged, "As in amuse me."

I was suddenly tired. "I'm not following."

She grinned, sitting beside me and resting her hand on the side of her head as her elbow bent on the back of the lounging chair. She crossed her leg as well, "You withstand me well. You endure my witty remarks, my aggravating phrases and such. It's a wonder, especially considering how quickly you tire and are angered with me."

"Well, it isn't without its challenge, that's for sure." I mused, before contemplating. What was I truly feeling in the moment, anyhow... "Call me curious, I suppose."

“Are you really that curious?” She challenged, and I huffed in annoyance. She urged me, "Why me and not any of the men?"

“Because they are... predictable. I've been courted by men since I first bled.” I surmised. "And you're not like any suitor I've ever had, which I'm not afraid to admit that it has me curious about me."

“Then marry me.” She raised a brow, and I tensed.

“It’s a competition-”

“Then watch me win, and when I win….”

“You’re as confident as those princes for a woman-”

“When I win…” Veronica gazed with so much intensity, I suddenly felt like I could barely breathe. “You marry me happily.”

“If you win…” My body tensed at the possibility, of everyone seeing me marry a woman. I’d be a laughing stock among the royalty. “Then maybe."

“Wouldn’t you be happy when you marry me?” Veronica frowned, and I scoffed.

“I barely know you- I just met you yesterday.” I spoke softly, bristling uncomfortably. The thought of marrying anyone right now made me uncomfortable. But then again, that was why I made the competition. To get to know these contestants, and maybe, finally, to feel something towards one of them.

“Then get to know me.” She reached for my hand on my knee, merely grasping my pinky finger with her index and holding it in between our seats on the couch. The small and gentle touch made me flush red. “Ask me anything- come on, princess.”

I smile and roll my eyes, ignoring my feelings from the interaction, but agreeing nonetheless. “Fine. What’s your preferred shade?”

“Yellow- like your hair. Or blue like your eyes- I’m not sure.” Veronica smirked, and I sighed with slight annoyance. "And yours?"

"I prefer pastels. Pinks, blues, even yellows..."

"I see. And your preferred flower?"

"I have a deep love for marigolds and hydrangeas, though they are hard to import often."

"I understand. They are a lovely plant."

"The hydrangea were my mother's loved flowers as well."

“If you don't mind my asking, what ever happened to her?” Veronica asked.

“Plague. She passed away when I was only eleven.” I looked away, not wanting to meet her eyes. “I couldn’t even say goodbye to her- it angered me so much, and I didn’t understand until so much later why she had to leave.”

“Did she resemble you?” Veronica asked.

I smiled back at Veronica, “Very much so. I’m the spitting image of her, some say.”

“Then I’m sure she was gorgeous.” She claimed, subtly stating how she thought I was gorgeous.

I heard footsteps outside in the hall, and I stiffened as I stood up. “I need to get out of here.”

Veronica gasped as she stood as well and looked out towards the balcony, “It’s already well past sunrise.”

We both looked at each other when we heard someone knock: “Hello? Queen Veronica? Are you up yet?”

We immediately scrambled, and Veronica urged me towards the window. I looked at her with wide eyes, and hissed, “Are you mad?”

“Do you want everyone to think ill of you?” She whispered back, and I frowned.

“Well of course not.” I asked, appalled at the question. Who could think ill of me-

“Then out you go.” She pushed me outside of her window and onto the balcony, slamming the doors shut and closing the curtains hurriedly. I squealed as I heard the door opening, and started to climb over the railing when I thought I felt a branch on my hair- I went to swat at it, but lost my balance. I let out a small scream as I fell over it, and grunted loudly as I fell into the bushes below. The garden- Thank the divine for the garden.

“Arethina?”

I looked up through squinted eyes to see my handmaiden Jewel, a grin on her lips, looking down at me. I smiled with a facade, sitting up and raking through my hair to remove leaves.

"Oh, Jewel- Fancy seeing you here."

Jewel raised a brow, “And why were you climbing out of Queen Veronica’s balcony? From her room, no less?”

“I have a better question for you.” I sassed, glaring up at her smug expression, “Why aren’t you helping me up?”

“I was setting up the second tournament- the maze.” She held out her hands, picking me up with a grunt. I looked around, finally taking in the entrances to my garden’s maze set up with beautiful pink and white decorations. There were three entrances, and dozens of paths that had multiple deadends and loops- the winner would be the one to ‘rescue’ me and take me to the exit on the other side. If they could keep me from being ‘stolen’ that is. “Charlotte was looking for you as well, you know.”

I bit my lip, looking away from her inquisitive stare. “Well then. If you could escort me through a discreet way- I’d be eternally grateful.”

“Eternally it is then.” Jewel smirked.

-

I made my way to the maze’s center, and sat down on the small and comfortable chair put there for me. I had a mask on me, as to not be able to tell who would have me and be ‘preferential’. I sighed in boredom for a couple of minutes, before jumping with surprise as a trumpet bellowed. I slipped on my blindfold, preparing myself.

The real tournament has begun.