Chapter 2, part 3 - The prince.

We both headed out of my room, and while she turned for the kitchens I went in the opposite direction to the main hall.

As soon as I walked through the doors, I saw four men in one corner playing music as everyone else chatted amongst themselves and moved from one conversation to another.

I ignored the kings hard stare on me, and I made my way through as everyone bowed and greeted me kindly, I came to three women, who I’m guessing were wives, they were too nicely dressed and looked too nervous to be the usual women my father had in here.

Matthias wondered over and handed me a cup of wine “Princess, you look stunning, it’s nice to have you with us tonight!”

“Thank you, is your wife here? I haven’t seen her in so long!”

“Yes, she’s just over there” He pointed to the long wooden table, that was dressed prettily in cloth and an array of delicious foods “I think she’s mainly here for the food” he joked

I giggled “I don’t blame her, it all looks incredible, I may have to stuff my face before it all goes”

“Well, you better get there before I do then” He laughed

“MATTHIAS” Edric bellowed across the room

Matthias looked to me apologetically “Sorry princess, I must see to the king, but it is nice to have your presence here… your glow just like your mother always did” He turned and walked over to Edric, and I could see the scowl on his face. I turned my attention away from him and strolled over to the wives to keep out of my father’s way.

“Princess” The three wives sang as they curtsied

“Hello” I greeted them all warmly, “may I ask what are your names?”

“Oh, I’m Mary, this is Claudia and Mabel” the brunette informed me with a smile

“I must say princess, you look so regal” Claudia complimented as she eyed my silk dress

“Thank you, you all look lovely, am I right to assume your husbands are guards here?”

“Yes, were the dutiful wives” Mary chirped as she rolled her eyes in humour “but they already seemed to have had one too many wines already”

At the same time, we all turned our attention to the men laughing and stumbling around as they danced to the music or poured more wine into their cups, spilling most of it onto the table and the floor. We all looked back to each other as we shared the same grin, one that said, ‘oh how typical, that they and the king are drunk already!’

Matthias’s wife than joined us as she smiled widely at me “Princess Aurelia” She spoke softly “How wonderful it is to see you”

“And you, Joan” I smiled at her chubby jolly smile “It’s been a long time since we’ve spoken”

“Yes, I know my dear” her smile faded as she suddenly looked forlorn. Looping her large arm in mine, she motioned for us to walk “Come, let’s have a walk about the room”

“Sure” I agreed, and I gave a farewell nod to the other wives.

“You know princess, one of the last times I saw you it was at a party, right here, just like this one, although there were women… those ‘fun’ women”

“I don’t think I remember”

“Oh, honey you were only around fifteen years of age, you happened to stumble in here, in your nightgown and you looked so confused and worried, so Matthias and I quickly took you back to your room before your father noticed”

I could understand why! if my father would have seen me like that, he would have made sure I received a harsh punishment the next morning.

“I think you must have been still half asleep, so Matthias carried you back and I sung to you until you fell back to sleep”

“I remember!” I gasped with joy as the memory suddenly came flooding back “You tucked me into bed and sang ‘oh fair one’ to me”

“That’s right!” she smiled “You still seemed so small and timid, so we wanted to keep you away from what was happening at the party”

“Well, thank you Joan, luckily I’m used to them now”

She looked at me in surprise “You mean, you attend those parties?”

I shrugged “Some!... but never for long, father tends to send me away when he feels I’ve outstayed my welcome”

“Oh honey” she spoke sympathetically “I am so sorry I don’t visit anymore, but the king didn’t like me being around much after your mother passed so Matthias said I had been warned to stop seeing you”

“What?” I asked in shock

“Yes, my dear. I don’t know if you remember but I was very good friends with your mother, so I guess your father didn’t want me around you, he always complained that your mother was making you too soft, so perhaps he felt my presence around you would do the same thing”

“I can’t believe it… I just assumed you were too busy, or now that I am older you didn’t want to see me anymore”

Her mouth fell slightly agape, with a sadness in her eyes “Oh, quite the contrary princess, I always loved spending time with you, I always think of you my dear and I do always hope you’re faring well”

I nodded with a smile to bring her some comfort “Yes, I’m doing just fine Joan, and I have Maude here with me every day, everything is ok”

“And your father… how… how does he treat you?”

“Umm… best as he can I suppose”

“Oh, my dear, it’s no secret that the king is a cold man, so don’t pretend with me”

I looked to her with an admitting smile “Ok” I whispered “He’s not the easiest to deal with but I get by, its all that I can do anyway”

“Well, now that I finally have an excuse to be here without being in trouble with your father, I wanted to tell you that, if you ever need somewhere to sit for a little while or someone to talk to, well… your always welcome in my home, honey. We can talk about anything. I really do want to be there for you princess, I promised your mother I always would, and I want you to know I do care for you”

I smiled at her with appreciation and warmth at her comfort, but it was just another reminder of my father’s spiteful actions of trying to keep as many people away from me as possible.

“Princess Aurelia, good evening” Mallon bowed before me causing mine and Joan’s private conversation to stop abruptly.

“Good evening, Mallon, this is a friend of mine, Joan”.

“Well, it’s lovely to meet one of Aurelia’s friends, how do you do Joan?”

Joan giggled under his charm as she curtsied “It’s an honor to finally meet you prince Mallon”

He smiled kindly at her then looked to me “I hope I’m not interrupting anything, I was just wandering If you would join me for a dance?”

“Oh, you’re not interrupting anything at all prince Mallon” Joan quickly intervened “I was just about to have some more wine anyway” she beamed as she gave me a subtle wink, unlooped her arm from mine and walked away.

“So, about that dance?” He asked me again with a charming smile, his blue eyes twinkling

I nodded “Ok, I guess I’d better say yes, seeing as you asked so nicely… twice!” I commented playfully.

He laughed as he twirled me over to the dancefloor “Well a lady as nice, should be asked twice” he witted and it caused me to burst into laughter

“So charming… does it ever tire you out?” I joked

“Oh, being so naturally charming is never tiring” he grinned as we came closer together and he lightly placed his hand on my back, and with his other hand he held mine gently, as if he was purposefully trying to tease my skin with his touch and it was working! I felt so nervous as my stomach rippled with waves of excitement and joy and… something else, something I didn’t recognise.

Even though the music was quite fast paced and everyone around us were dancing and bopping around loudly and joyfully in a drunken state, me and Mallon just swayed and stepped together in sync as I allowed my free hand to rest on the back of his neck. My fingers felt tingly and fidgety, wanting to touch his skin but not daring myself to be so bold and a part of me felt too scared to feel his warmth under my fingertips, fearing I’d be overcome with too many nerves and the last thing I wanted right now, was to become red faced right in front of him.

He looked intently at me as we ignored our surroundings, our eyes only holding on to each other.

“Can I spend some time with you again tomorrow?” he asked pleadingly

I nodded “Of course… that’s if you can tear yourself away from the king of course” I amused

He chuckled and I felt his forefinger suddenly caress my skin just for a fleeting moment. “I’ll just tell him I want to see you”

I smiled, all of a sudden feeling safe and warm in his presence and I wanted to applaud his bravery at being so honest with my father. He might not know him like I do, but I did know Edric didn’t like people being so bold with him especially seeing as his plan was to purposefully groom the prince to his standards.

We danced more as time passed while he twirled me, and we laughed together when he attempted to show me some of his dance moves that he and his brothers made up together. I felt slightly envious of him, he had siblings and from what I know of his family so far, they seem a great deal warmer and more affectionate than the one and only blood member I had here.

Just as we were dancing closely once more, my eyes unwillingly drifted from Mallon and wandered around the rest of the room. I felt a change in the mood and noise, as soon as my eyes scanned the hall, I noticed the wives were leaving, but the men were still drinking and two servants had bought out more containers of wine and ale, I knew this meant it was now time for just the men to enjoy themselves and the only women that would be welcome here now are those that would come here to please the drunken slobs.

I didn’t waste another moment, knowing I was about to out stay my welcome and it wouldn’t be worth it in the morning.

I loosened my hand from Mallon’s and smiled politely as he looked at me in confusion, but he still wasn’t used to my fathers ’ways’!

“Well, I must go to bed now”

“Now? But why?” he asked looking puzzled and slightly hurt

“Well...” I nodded my head for him to look around “It’s time for just the men to enjoy the rest of the party, so I better go”

“May I walk you to your bedchambers?”

I chortled with embarrassment “I fear that, if anyone should see us leaving together, they may get the wrong impression”

“Oh” he chuckled shyly and quickly nodded with understanding “Forgive me, I must admit, it completely slipped my mind, I guess I just didn’t want our time to be over quite just yet!”

What is it about this man that keeps a constant smile on my face whenever he’s around?

“I had a lovely evening with you Mallon”

“And I you, Aurelia”

“I shall see you tomorrow

“I can’t wait” he ginned fondly, and I felt my nerves return.

I quickly gave him a polite courtesy then made my way hurriedly out of the hall before Edric could spot that I was still there. Luckily, he was too distracted punching one of his guards in the face playfully, but hard enough to show off that he was the more powerful man!

I rushed to my room, trying to squish down the bubbling feeling that Mallon had caused, just the reminder of his hand on mine made me feel anger at the betrayal of my own heart... I knew what it was doing... it was falling for Mallon even though I had strictly warned myself not to fall for his charm, especially so quickly!