The f*******n Crown

Chapter |17|

E M M E L I N E ' S P. O. V

Balls were something I always despised.

I know, I know, but balls are supposed to be the best part of being a Princess. They're glamorous, and fun and magical, yet ever since I set foot into my first ball at age seven, I have always hated them.

The only thing that has ever made them feel tolerable was a sulky boy way too big for his age, and a slimmer one who always made sure to bring a book to such tedious events.

They were my escape but this ball was held in honour of me, and I already had a date that was neither of the men I let f**k me with their tongues until I saw stars, last night.

"How about green?" Opehlia holds up a lime green gown that causes my face to crease slightly.

"I don't think green is my colour."

She throws it aside, digging through her pile of dresses again. I suck in a breath, my corset digging into my ribs. "Hey Ophelia, is this corset a little tighter than usual?"

"That's standard Thalnia corsets, our women are typically slimmer waisted so the corsets have to be tighter to accentuate the figure." Damn. I thought I was pretty slim, but these girls must be something else.

"The bust is very..." I motion with my hands the way they squeeze my breasts to the point of exhaustion.

"But they look good, right?" Opehlia admires my boobs, in a way that would seem creepy if she hadn't already seen me in the nude.

"I guess," This time she pulls out a satin dress, a darker green, almost the shade of evergreen trees. My expression doesn't immediately drop at the colour, a good sign.

Lifting my arms, she drapes it overhead, allowing the material to billow out across the floor. "Woah." I looked...older, almost unrecognisable.

It's only been a few weeks away from Dahlia, but slowly I could feel my old self fading. The last parts clinging to Damien and Ajax, but Theo was crafting the new.

I had done so many new things, explored hobbies I never knew existed for me, like surfing, chess, even croquet which I had quickly mastered. Theo liked all those things, and slowly I was becoming his perfect match.

"It's the one!" She squeals, reminding quickly that she's still just a child. This is all dress up for her that I admire thoroughly. Watching her face light up as I allow her to place my tiara on top of the nestled crown she created with my hair.

Normally, I feel ridiculous going to these events. The old me would comment on the fact I look like a tree, my brunette locks deeply constructing the emerald green, yet behold, I have no insecurities to proclaim, instead I can safely say I look quite beautiful.

"Are you going to kiss him?" I almost choke to the point that she's hastily thrusting a glass of water in my direction. "Sorry,"

Shaking my head, I greedily gulp the cool liquid down. "No, it's fine. It just took me by surprise, that's all."

"He's really handsome, I heard he's going to request a private dance on the floor in front of everyone." God, I hope not. I hate public dancing. I avoid it at all costs because just the thought makes me want to hurl.

I plaster on a fake smile. "How exciting?" She giggles, truly infatuated with her King.

"I don't think we'll kiss."

"Why not?" Ophelia seems almost despondent by the notion.

"We've only known each other for a few weeks, barely a month, and it may sound like a lot of time but it isn't. I don't know if I'm ready to kiss him. It takes a lot of courage to do something like that, something I am sorely lacking in."

"No you don't. I think you're the bravest person I ever met. You flew across the world to meet someone you don't even know, to possibly marry him all for your Kingdom. That's brave, Princess Emmeline and I can only hope that the future Queen of Thalnia, whomever she may be, can emanate that too."

Smiling, I draw her in for a hug, her words drawing inspiration within me that conjures up the kind of optimism I can only hope lasts the night.

"Can we come in?" Ophelia glances at me, confused. Damien, I mouth, causing her eyes to light up because she knows it means Ajax is right behind him.

I can't blame her for having a crush on him, his looks matches his vibrant personality, enough to draw any kind soul in.

She opens the door, allowing Damien in first. "Wow, you look gorgeous, Phe." Ajax lifts her in the air, spinning her around.

"Mama said I can help with the drinks, so I get to wear a fancy dress."

"Here," He pins a pink rose to her black dress. It's customary for the men to give the women they wish to admire roses in Thalnia. This morning a bouquet of them arrived from Theo.

"Wow, no-one has ever given me a rose." She slings herself at him. "Thank you,"

"No problem kid."

Once she leaves, I fix him with a warning glare. "Don't make her too attached. You'll break her heart when we leave."

"I won't, but when exactly will that be?" I turn to Damien for help, but he seems eager for the answer to the same question

To which I have none.

"I don't...it's complicated. You both know it is. Theo and I haven't really discussed marriage yet, we've just been getting to know each other."

"Courting can take a while." Damien states, "But we don't have a lot of time."

He should say, you, because in reality it is my marriage that has to be fixed within mere months. I smile anyhow at the collective lump he piles us into.

His lips tilt just an inch, "You're stunning. Green is most definitely your colour."

"For sure." Ajax appears almost ravenous, his eyes drinking in every curve.

"This corset is insane." I try to tug at the fixed material to relieve the pressure. "Apparently I'm considered overweight in Thalnia." I joke, but neither of them laugh.

Either they're both too horny to register my words, or their sense of humour has been lost.

Damien suddenly steps forward, forcing my chin up to meet his gaze. "Princess, don't ever insult yourself like that again. You are perfect, and if the King doesn't make you feel like that tonight, then we're flying home tomorrow and this deal is void."

I hesitate to smile, glancing at Ajax. "He's serious. We won't allow you to marry a man who doesn't reach all standards of perfection for you. You deserve the best and it's our job to ensure you get that."

"As my advisor and guard, or...as my boyfriends?"

"Both." They reply in perfect synch.

My lips curl, "Have you guys been practising that?"

Laughing, I'm drawn into their hold, transfixed by the intensity of their loving stares.

I'm almost scared to ask this next question. "Have you guys got dates?"

Damien replies almost instantly, "Quinn asked me. I couldn't say no."

Turning to Ajax, I'm afraid I already know the answer by the grimace he offers. "Chloe. She begged me to say yes."

"So we've all got dates...oh it's gonna be a great night."

***

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" I flash a coy smile, tipping my head in a knowing thanks to Ophelia who passes me a glass of champagne.

Theo is charming by all definitions of the word, matching my smile with a flashy grin. "Only twenty times already."

"That's it? Well, I clearly need to step up." Laughing, I take his arm, preparing myself for another round of meets and greets to all diplomatic officials of Thalnia.

Instead of leading me towards the dance floor, he guided me towards the open doors that leads outside. Excitement spikes adrenaline that floods through my veins, pulsing at the idea of escapism.

"Don't we have to dance, and converse with everyone?"

Leaning in, I try not to shiver as the heat of his breath battles the cold of the night. "A little birdy told me that you hate public dancing, and the balls are a drag."

Damien or Ajax, but Ajax would never tell Theo something like that, afraid his own impulses may come off as territorial instead.

"Damien?" Theo nods, taking me further away from the brightly lit ballroom.

In the distance, I can just make out Quinn and Damien twirling around the floor again. Ajax stays on the side, Chloe shooting daggers at his refusal to join in with the festivities.

"Apparently the best way to your heart is adventure, and I can't really muster much excitement right now but I hope this is something."

I follow his gaze, almost gasping at the huge fountain that spans most of the garden. It's definitely old from the cracks that give texture to the stone, creating fissures that only cement the endurance of love portrayed with the stone figures, entwined atop.

"Wow, it's...god, this place really is magical."

"My great great grandfather had this constructed as a gift for his new wife. They had never met before but apparently the moment they set eyes on each other, the whole world stopped, allowing a moment to appreciate the forging of a love unlike that ever seen before."

I'm scared by the hold his gaze has on me, utterly transfixed by those dazzling greens that pull me in. "f**k. That's some strong love." I laugh nervously as emotions I don't want to register continue to seep through.

"Yeah it is." As we drift towards the fountain, close enough that my fingers graze the cracked stone, he searches me with his eyes, as if trying to gauge my emotions . "Emmeline, I need to ask you some questions."

"Okay?" Taking my hands, he lifts them close to his beating heart. The still of the night so quiet that I can almost hear it thudding loudly.

"Do you have intentions to have children one day?"

Not heirs, children, he says.

I nod softly, "I want to be a mother."

He smiles, pearly whites contrast deeply against the dark. "Will you honour your life to the service of your Kingdom and its people?"

I answer without hesitation. "Yes."

"Even if it meant expanding to become an empire. Could you stretch your love for your Kingdom to mine too?"

Oh my god is he going to...

"Theo," I start, but already he's pulling a ring out of his pocket, enough diamonds to fund my entire kingdom for a year.

"Emmeline Lalita of Dahlia, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

This was always coming for me one day. It was forsworn in my stars upon birth, the knowledge that I would marry a King. My first step within being Queen meant choosing the right one to rule besides me and here he is.

Perfect without fault, like the fantasy I created at age seven come to life and yet...I know I don't want him. That I'm doing him and Thalnia a disservice in pledging myself to their King, but for Dahlia, this is everything needed to save it.

This is what countless men have told me I was born to do.

I muster the strongest smile I can, tears streaming that paradox my deep desolation with the happiness his smile must think I convey. "Yes, I'll marry you."

The ring fits perfectly, of course. I already feel the noose around my neck tighten at the suffocating feeling that already hangs overhead.

Then suddenly he's so close I almost think he's going to kiss me. I mean, he does, but on my cheek. The most polite end to a proposal, followed by a strong hold. Closing my eyes, I try to fight back images of Ajax and Damien doing the same for me, something I now know I would never witness.

Alas until now there was hope. Yet, I watch it diminish with every second that passes, dissipating into nothingness like we didn't even exist.

"Oh s**t," He murmurs, trying to pull back but ending up stuck halfway.

His jacket is twisted with the pin on the rose tied into the dress. Reaching up to my shoulder, I try to untangle them but Theo yanks back at the same time. "No!" I yell out as the dress rips, the corset splitting along the bust to cause my breasts to spill out.

In my horror, I stumble back, tripping over the train of the gown and fall back. Theo grabs me, but looses his footing too, forcing us both into the centuries old fountain.

Water floods into my ears and nose, blocking the oxygen from entering my lungs. Now I really am suffocating.

Hands grip my waist, but the fabric wraps around my face, choking me further that I almost feel ready to die.

"Emmeline! Emmeline! Hey," A cold hand taps harshly at my cheek. My eyes wrench open, meeting green orbs that flare with fear. For a moment the world is drowned out by the ringing of my ears, causing the words that leave his mouth to omit nothing.

Choking on water that clogs my lungs, I hunch over, fingers clawing at the stone to cough all the water up. "Breathe, just breathe." My senses orient themselves, and I'm slowly integrated back to reality.

Stumbling slightly, Theo grips me, steadying my stance. "You okay?" I nod softly, standing a little straighter.

He averts his gaze, staring at the floor, which forces me to reckon with the harsh reality. Covering my breasts, I flame red despite the chill of the wind, looking for anything to cover me.

"Here," Taking off his jacket, I grimace a little at the wet fabric, but take it anyway and hold it against my chest.

"Emmeline." The voices emerge as they get closer, eyes scrutinising with confusion and simmering rage. They don't bat an eyelid at my nudity, having seen me in more compromising positions before. Theo moves me behind him, as if to shelter my bare body.

"Excuse me gentleman, can the Princess have a little privacy?" Anyone else and the authority in his tone would make the run.

"Why is she half n***d?" Oh f**k. They think Theo...

I shake my head about to explain when Theo interjects. "She fell. Now if that is all-"

"She fell and her dress came off."

"It was an accident." I meet their angry expressions head on, omitting nothing by truth in my gaze. "I swear it."

Nudging Theo, I gesture to their dry jackets and he slowly steps aside, climbing out of the fountain first to help me down. I can hear the squelching as I reach them, which only adds to my embarrassment and I reach out to take the jacket Ajax offers.

"Thank you," I offer a smile, but he inhales a sharp breath like I just punched him in the gut.

Glancing at Damien, I'm broken at his similar expression, eyes fixed squarely on the engagement ring still glittering bright on my finger.

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A/N: What are your thoughts on Theo and the little dress mishap??