Chapter 4-His Bride

Penelope woke up a bit earlier the next morning. She sighed tiredly as she recall the events that took place the other night. All she wanted was a peaceful evening but she ended up getting the opposite.

She was so lost in her world which made her fail to notice a shadow behind her. Her mood was a bit damp, mostly because of her mother's eagerness to get her married and the other being that she can't get the silver-haired man or better still the king away from her mind.

"And who is the lucky man capable of stealing your heart, Lady Penny?" A soft voice whispered behind her which made her gasp in shock.

"Eloise!" Whimpered Penelope annoyingly.

Eloise's lips broke into a huge smile and in the process decided to sit beside her closest friend.

"Is that how to welcome back your only friend," said Eloise with a little bit of annoyance in her voice.

"I'm sorry my queen!" Penelope responded and stood up to give her a bow.

"That's more like it!" Eloise responded with a huge smile on her face.

A smile made its way to Penelope's lips, she walked towards Eloise, trapping her in her arms. "I've missed you so much." 

"I know."

The only person who she truly regarded as her sister, the only person who will always be there for her, stand up for her, and made sure she was safe. That person is Eloise and nobody else. Maybe, that's why she has felt so lonely due to Eloise leaving for the past five months to visit her grandparents.

"Geez! I almost forgot," Eloise gasped, disengaging from the hug.

"What will that be?"

"The king, he is coming to our village this afternoon." 

"The king?" Penelope whimpered softly, she could hear the loud beating of her heart against her ribcage. The touch of his fingers on her body was still driving her crazy and insane but then the question would be, 'why is the king coming to the village and not any other village but hers?"

"Rumors had it that, a girl caught the king's attention at the ball the other evening. So, he is here to bring her to his palace. What a beautiful love story! Don't you think so, Penny?" asked Eloise, completely unaware of her friend's dilemma.

Penny closed her eyes, trying to calm her beating heart. She couldn't help but pray deeply that the rumors weren't true. Even if it were true, she could only hope that the king wouldn't come to the village for her. Unfortunately, not all wishes do come true.

"Are you okay?" Eloise asked worriedly, noticing her friend's baffled expression. 

"Eloise, the king...."

"Yes, the king. Is anything wrong with him?" 

"He..."

Irene walked into Penny's room interrupting her conversation with Eloise. Eloise had a smile on her face when she saw Irene, that would be because Penny promised not to tell a soul about what was going On between her and her sister. It was a way of her keeping her family...happy?

"Momma wants both of you out right now! The King is here!" Irene stated with a huge smile on her face. She was glowing which make anyone believe that the king was here for her. At least, that's what she wanted to believe.

"That's amazing!" Eloise stood up happily and walked out of the room with Irene, leaving Penny all alone to pray for her life.

Penny walked to and fro in her room, completely out of the idea of what she should do. A part of her wants to believe that the king came to her house for another person who won't be her of course but deep down she knew he was here for her and nobody else. He came for her!

Zephyr sat down in the Leos's living space like the king he was. His left leg was placed on his right leg, his silver eyes scrutinizing the small mansion that was just exactly the size of his chamber. Meanwhile, Roman stood behind Zephyr, searching for the lady they came here to see. But instead, his eyes fell on the two ladies, walking out of a room which left him wondering where the lady went off to.

"Good Afternoon, your majesty." Mr. and Mrs. Leos greeted with a bow. Zephyr stared at the two humans in front of him for a while, enjoying the loud beating of their hearts which made his lips break into a smile.

Never in his wildest dream would Mr. Leos imagine that one day, he would have the pleasure of having the king in his home. Though he was happy, he couldn't help but be afraid that the rumors were true. But if the rumor was indeed true, then could it be that the king was here for one of his daughters? But the question is, which of his daughters?

"Your Majesty, to what...."

"One of your daughters caught my attention at the ball the other evening, Mr. Leos and I'm here to bring her to my palace." Zephyr went straight to the point, not allowing the man to waste his time. He was here for Penelope and not her family.

Mr. Leos closed his eyes for a brief moment, he gazed at his wife briefly before staring at his oldest daughter, Irene. He could see the happiness in her eyes which made him think that Irene and the king had met before. But what, he didn't know was that Irene was barely fantasizing about the king being there for her. She couldn't wait to leave the slums and get to leave the castle.

Though the king said 'one of his daughters', they all thought he was referring to Irene. Mainly because out of Mr. Leos's two daughters, Irene was the most eye-catching one. The dream of every man made Mr. and Mrs. Leos a bit calm. Out of their two daughters, Irene was the only person that dreamed of a wealthy lifestyle while their other daughter just wants a simple life.

"Your highness, which of my daughters would that be?" 

"I heard you have two daughters, Mr. Leos? Where is your other daughter?" He asked instead of answering his question. They were indeed two young damsels in the room but the other girl, he knew she wasn't part of the family. She couldn't be, she wasn't the woman he came here for.

"My youngest daughter is in her room, she must be feeling unwell. That's why she isn't here to pay her greetings, my king," answered Mrs. Leos. The last thing she wanted is to allow her unfilial daughter, to be the reason for her family's downfall. 

"Is she?" Zephyr said almost in a whisper. He returned his gaze to Mr. Leos and with a smile that didn't reach his face, he stated. "I'm here for your youngest daughter, Mr. Leos. I'm here to bring your youngest daughter to my palace."