Chapter 4: Celebration
1424 Words
Ben's POV:
“Benjamin. Eat as much as you want dear. I hope the food is to your satisfaction?”
I smiled at Fredrick's mother Madeline, “Only the best I've ever had,” I answered honestly.
She grinned, pleased with herself, “I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Frederick isn't the one to sit and enjoy my food. He's always up and busy, never home. It's refreshing to have someone who does.”
I wished I had a mother who'd cook for me all the time till I purposely avoided going home.
“Where do you live son?” Madeline asked.
“At an inn. I haven't found a permanent residence yet. ”
Madeline frowned, “You've been living at an inn for two months? That can't be any good. Since you are the first friend Fredrick has brought home in a while, I'll tell you what. I have a house in town. My niece lives there alone and I'm not very comfortable with that but Fredrick refuses to move out. You could say he's a wuss. How would you like to move in there and work for me? You can live there, no fee while you do some work on my farm. I'll pay you about...35 gold coins a week. And you can come here every day, anytime for a meal.”
I concluded that maybe they didn't lack sense. Maybe both mother and son were just kind people. I had not many a lot like them in my life, thus why it felt very strange and stupid to me.
“Thank you so much Madeline. You have a heart of gold. ”
“Don't mention it. You don't mind living with my niece Beatrice would you? You don't have to worry about her. She's a married woman but her husband works in Estonia. She's completely dedicated and committed to him. You won't have to worry about her at all. She's independent as well. ”
I nodded. “That's completely fine.”
I turned to face Fredrick who hadn't said a word since we arrived. He hadn't even touched his food.
“Fredrick darling. Are you alright?” his mother asked him.
He sighs, “I'm alright mother. Just nervous.”
“About Annette? Don't worry. She'll love what you've planned for her.”
“I hope so. I think Annette is the woman I want to marry mother,” he said with a glint in his eyes.
I wanted to puke.
Madeline laughed. “I haven't met her. I can't say anything about that yet can I? Not without meeting her and knowing what kind of girl she is.”
Marjorie's POV:
“My God I'm so excited about the party!” I squealed.
Annette scoffed, “Me either. I can't wait for the King to catch us in the act and have my head chopped off.”
“Oh Annette, stop being such a negative bum will you? We won't get caught. My mother always told me that what we say is what we get. If you keep saying we'll get caught,then there really no chance for us.”
She sighed heavily. “Fine.”
“Fine what?”
“Fine nothing.”
“Say we can do it.”
Annette frowned, “You're pushing it Your Highness.”
“Say it Annette. Say it. Say it. Say it. Say it. Say –”
“Oh my goodness! You are maddening! Fine. We can do it,” she groans in annoyance.
I couldn't help but laugh, “I may be maddening but so are you. ”
“True, ” she admitted, “Anyways, as I was saying before you distracted me, I have here, your dress for tonight.”
I smiled at her, “Thank you Annette. I promise I won't mess up.”
“I hope not. Not that I'd do anything to you though. I'd be dead before I can even think about it. ”
She left the room in order for me to change. When I was done, I stood in front of my mirror.
The dress was a floor length red long sleeved dress, tight around my waist and loose on my arms. I tied my hair back with a simple red ribbon. My heart was beating so fast you'd think I ran a mile. A night in Aldrich? Out without any guards? I couldn't think of a better thing to do. Being royal was fun until you realized that there was no such thing as bloody privacy.
I quickly made my way downstairs without drawing attention to myself and ran into the garden. There a carriage that was waiting for me. Annette poked her head out and grinned at me. I hurried in and sat down opposite her and Fredrick.
“I'm eternally grateful for this Frederick!” I said with much excitement.
He laughed, “It's my honor your highness.”
I looked out the window as we rode into the heart of Aldrich. There were people everywhere and a livelyness I had never known.
As I looked back at Frederick and Annette, I saw there were holding hands, engaged in a hushed conversation. There spark in their eyes told me they were in love. I wished I would find a love like that. I sighed heavily as I looked down at the ring on my finger. I wouldn't obviously. I was already tied down to another.
We got out of the carriage and walked into a beautiful house. There was music and women dancing while the men cheered. The women wore revealing clothing that made me gasp. I had never seen anything like it in my life.
“Your Highness. You can't use your name. If anyone is to ask who you are, you are Venolia. Annette's cousin. Is that fine?” Fredrick said over the music.
I nodded. Fredrick led me and Annette to a quieter room and introduced us to his mother.
“This is my mother, Madeline.”
Madeline took Annette's hands. “And you must be Annette. How beautiful and pure. Fredrick never stops talking about you,” she turned to look at me, “And you must be Annette's cousin Venolia. It's my pleasure to have you both here girls. ”
“I am so happy to meet you too Mrs Hoffman, ” Annette grinned.
I offered the woman a smile.
“Venolia. My good friend Benjamin is waiting for you,” Fredrick said to me.
“Benjamin?”
We left the room and went back to everyone.
“Your Highness. The man over there will keep you company until Annette and I return. I hope that's fine.”
I looked at the man Fredrick pointed at and heart skipped a beat. A tall man who is beyond handsome, talking to a lady. I felt all kinds of emotions in that very moment.
He looked at me and I froze. Fredrick, oblivious to everything went on.
“His name is Benjamin. He might come across as...um...rude but he's just a little hostile. Once you get to know him, he's not all that terrible.”
“Try to have fun Your Highness,” Annette said to me, squeezing my hand.
Fredrick and Annette left and I waited for the man to approach me. My heart fluttered as he finally walked toward me. For a moment, I swear I forgot my name.
“You must be Venolia, ” he said, his gaze burning my flesh.
I couldn't find my words so I just nodded.
“Benjamin.”
“It's nice to meet you,” I said with great effort.
“Likewise,” he said not even looking at me.
A few minutes of silence passed until I decided to make conversation.
“So um... Fredrick told me you're from Hetchington.”
He nodded, “Yes.”
“What's it like there?”
“Just like any other place.”
“Oh. How are you liking Aldrich?”
“It's alright.”
I ran out of things to say so I just kept quiet. I cleared my throat and adjusted my dress.
“Would you like something to drink?” I asked him.
He shook his head. “No thank you.”
“Well, I'm thirsty. I'll go get myself something,” I said walking off, a little annoyed by him.
I had promised Annette that I wouldn't dare bring any trouble to her. But I was the one who was in trouble. Ever since the night I met Benjamin bloody McKinney.
- Writer
