I couldn't sleep. Of course, I couldn't.Caelum was right. I'm shaken up. After everyone has finally left me and I am all alone, I would remember that afternoon and how terrified I have been for my life, but most especially for Caelum.Aside from that afternoon, the engagement party is keeping me up. It's by far the worst anxiety I have had ever since the Matching, because finally, I will be introduced to the nation as Prince Christopher Caelum Asher's Match, meaning all eyes will be on us.The only consolation I have is that the public's interest is ever changing. After a few weeks or months, they will move on to other, better things. And since Caelum is the third in line, people won't really be looking at us. Their eyes are more on Prince Louis and Lady Meredith.Speaking of the princes, I also can't help but look back at my first interactions with them. Prince Louis and Lady Meredith seemed fine. They're the picturesque royal couple; they have that commandeering aura about them.B
I spent my lunch with my family in the Rose Garden, with mom asking the royal chef about his meals, and dad catching up with my royal guards and probably telling them what to do. Serenity, Millie, and Madison bombarded me with questions, and I tried to answer as best as I could, leaving behind the unsavory moments like meeting Ava and the scene with the King.I also introduced Agatha, Maia, and Genevieve, and just as I expected, my family loved them. My mother has profusely been thanking Agatha for taking care of me, and despite herself, I see Agatha blush from the attention. Of course, Maia, Genevieve, and Serenity had fun talking about my look for this evening."How are you? Really?" Madi whispered to me as she rested her cheek on my shoulder. I rested mine on her head.“For real? I wake up almost every day wanting to puke my guts out because I’m afraid I would be a mess. Or I sometimes don’t sleep at all, especially before days like this, when I need to look and be my best in a w
I would have stumbled down the grand staircase if it weren't for Caelum, who kept me steady. I held tightly onto his elbows, trying so hard not to trip on my dress."You're doing well," Caelum softly reassured me halfway down the stairs.Why are the stairs so damn long?Instead of answering, or even nodding, I kept my eyes forward, making sure I'm not stepping on my dress or skipping a step. It felt like an eternity, and I can definitely feel all eyes on me, but I dared not look. I focused on the stairs and on Caelum beside me.Finally, we reached the landing and I finally looked at Caelum."Thank you," I whispered, gratefully smiling at him.For a moment, he seemed taken aback, and I don't know why. Then he shifted a bit and cleared his throat before saying "you're welcome.""Ladies and gentlemen, His Royal Highness, Prince Christopher Caelum Asher Renault-Lee, and Lady Vivienne Skye Harper," a deep voice echoed throughout the ballroom through the speakers that were smartly hidden.I
I felt like my heart was pumping flames into my veins and that butterflies were raving in my stomach. I didn't expect the kiss on the hand, and the spot felt so warm one minute, and then cold the second he removed his lips from it. His soft lips, which had been so gentle.And then, I can't stop thinking about it–how his lips felt so good on my skin, and how it might feel on my lips, and on other parts of my body that are not my hand…Good God, Skye. Get a grip of yourself.I inhaled and exhaled, and tried to focus on Caelum as he stood, and I think that was a mistake because I now can't stop looking at his damn perfect lips, and when I look at them, I can't stop the train of inappropriate thoughts. And it's even worse when his lips begin to move, and I just can't stop looking."...Skye?" He was asking. "I'm sorry, what?" I broke out of my reverie."I was asking if you're okay? Your eyes sort of glazed over, and I thought you're really red, and you might be getting tired from all the
We sat in silence for a while, just admiring the city lights from afar and the twinkling stars in the night sky above us."How's your first official royal event?" Caelum asked me, breaking the silence."Decent, I guess. But my feet are killing me.""Well, you've been dancing an awful lot. You're popular," he smiles at me."They're all just curious about the commoner who got lucky and was catapulted to a gilded life," I told him. "The dance floor was just a way to corner me and interrogate me. And it's not even like someone interviewing someone interesting…or maybe a movie star. No. It was like they were interrogating a suspect in a murder spree."Caelum reached out and held my hand. Again. And my breath hitched."I really am sorry for all of these," he said, and he looked so sad for me. But also maybe for him, too. Because he'd been in the eye of the storm his whole life."Caelum, please stop saying you're sorry. You didn't bring me into this. The app did. So, it's not really your fau
The party went on until almost midnight, with a few stragglers chugging on the palace's free champagne and wine. The King and Queen have already retired to their chambers early in the night. It surprised me when they both arrived at my family's table and announced they will be leaving. Thankfully, the King seems civil, although he didn't spare me any glances.As courtesy to the remaining guests, who are all important allies and subjects, the Princes remained to entertain them. Prince Louis and Lady Meredith headed all the entertaining, no doubt practicing for the time they will ascend to the thrones in the future.It was also quite surprising to see Prince Marcus do his princely duties. He actually looked rather comfortable talking with diplomats and high-ranking officials. But his wife was nowhere to be seen, but I liked it that way.It was also quite a delight to see Caelum entertain high-valued guests. Compared to his usual self, Prince Christopher was visibly more reserved, and I
"I've only been in the palace for less than a month, and I've moved three times already," I said to no one in particular as I entered my new room.The Mansion bedroom was already luxurious. The first palace bedroom I stayed at before the engagement party? Even more so. And just when I thought it couldn't get any more opulent, lo and behold, I'm standing in the grandest bedroom I have ever seen.In fact, everything about the "inner palace" is grander, with more plush carpeting, gold trims, polished marble floors, high ceilings with massive gold and crystal chandeliers and artwork that are worth millions, proudly on display. Not to mention the technology in this place. The security systems are so much more advanced and intelligent than that of the "outer" part of the palace."Just wait until you marry the prince, my lady," Genevieve chimed in as walked me throughout the room and its extensive bathroom and dressing room. "I'm assuming you'll have to move into his room. Or maybe you'll bo
I tried to make myself comfortable sleeping on my side, my back facing Caelum. I'm already hyper aware that he's inches away from me in this bed. I'll probably hyperventilate again when I actually see him."Are you sure you're okay now?" He asks."Yeah. Things like this just pass like nothing has happened," I say."This isn't the first time it happened?""Nope. The first time it happened, I was 8. We were in a school play, and I thought it was just being shown to our parents. When I knew it would be shown to the entire school and everyone's families, I panicked. I panicked more when I realized it wasn't just a normal panicky moment…but a full-blown, anxiety-induced attack," I sighed."Everyone laughed at me. They thought I was just being a crybaby. But when I was gasping for breath and our teacher came rushing to my side, they realized something was wrong. But as a bunch of 8-year-olds, no one really knows what a panic attack is. Everyone was scared and panicking, too, thinking I'm dy