A Withered Soul

Chapter Four

Annalieses POV

I awoke the next morning to find the sun streaming down on my face. The maids must have come in and tied them back, as if on cue a young girl with red hair in a tight bun came walking out of the bathroom and over to the bed.

“My name is Lizzie, I’ll be helping take care of you during your stay here.”

She gave a small curtsy and went to my wardrobe and pulled out a soft pink ruffly dress.

“You’ll want to be getting out of bed now miss. I have a hot bath waiting for you and once you’re ready I’ll help you into your dress.”

I knew I had to get up but I dreaded the activities to come. Today we would be having brunch in the gardens with the Prince followed by lawn games. This would be considered another trial for the prince to get a better understanding of who he wanted to choose.

Dreadfully I got up and went to the bathroom. The bath Lizzie had drawn for me was still steaming. She had put lavender and rose petals in it and the smell overtook me. I quickly got undressed and slipped into the bath, as soon as I got in I could feel all my stresses slipping away. I held my breathe and let my whole body fall under the water. It was just so peaceful underneath watching the bubbles from my nose float to the top. I wasn’t ready to see the prince today not after what happened last night.

I saw Lizzies head appear above the water, as I lifted my head out of the water she seemed to already have a robe ready for me.

“If you don’t get out of the bath now miss you’ll be late for the brunch.”

She held the robe open for me as she was talking. I very begrudgingly got out of the bath and took the robe. She led me over to a vanity where she had laid out a simple diamond necklace with matching earrings. I had never seen them before they must have been a welcoming gift from the palace.

“Lizzie where did these come from?”

She giggled a little and gave me a sly little grin.

“Well if you must know they came from Prince Jaime. There’s a note in the box they came from if you look by your hand mirror.”

I found the box and took the note out it was sealed in red wax the Princes seal on it a j with a sword through it.

“Dearest Annaliese,

I hope you take this gift with my sincerest apologies. Wear them today, I have the upmost surprise awaiting you at this brunch.

My love,

Prince Jaime.”

I felt as though I’d vomit my hand was still purple from what he did and I’d be forced to wear my nicest satin gloves while we ate today. I didn’t have much time to think as lizzie was already back and starting to fix up my hair. She braided half of it up and fixed a bun with a pendant in the middle of it. It looked absolutely beautiful, I actually felt like I looked beautiful for the first time. She pulled a few strands in front of my eyes before she put my jewelry on me.

I stood and walked over to the bed and held onto the bedpost as she tightened my corset. She then attached a petticoat to me and finally the light pink dress. All I had to do was slip on my shoes and walk down to the gardens but I couldn’t bring myself to put them on. I felt my chest tighten and I sat down on the bed and took a deep breath.

“Miss are you feeling alright? I can send for a doctor or fetch you some water.”

She was so sweet but her words just fell lost on me. I had to work up my courage and go, I knew there wasn’t an excuse out there that’d get me out of this brunch. I slipped my shoes on and stood up I knew I could do this. All I had to do was make it through brunch and then I’d slip out early. As I walked out the door I was met by Charles.

“If you’d like we could simply get lost in the castle they’d be none the wiser.”

I just laughed and shook my head no as we walked the rest of the way in silence. Charles always knew what to say to make me feel better. Father was always away and over the years Charles and I had grown increasingly closer. In fact that was the only good thing about this trip since Charles had gotten married and started traveling with father I’d hardly seen him. He seemed so stressed now I know he was worried about his child falling the same fate as us. The difference was Charles knew when to stay home and when to go.

We arrived at the gardens fairly shortly there was a white tent set up with tables of food and champagne. It seemed we were one of the last to arrive. There were already tons of people flocking to the tables and surrounding the Prince, I had hoped that would be enough to keep him away from me. I had no such luck though as soon as he saw me he jumped from his seat and came right over to me.

“I’m so glad you could finally join us, Annaliese. I was beginning to get worried that you wouldn’t show.”

He extended an arm out to me which I had to take as he led me to a more secluded table behind a curtain.

“I had a hard time waking up today, I was feeling a bit ill.”

“Well, I’m so glad you decided to come down and you wore the necklace.”

He brushed some of my hair from my neck then ran his fingers over the necklace. His touch made chills run down my spine and my heart pound. He ran his hand down my arm and took my hand gently laying a kiss on the top of my hand. He seems so different today, it’s as if he’s a completely different person.

“I really do want to apologize about yesterday, I had a little too much to drink and was in a rather bad mood. I don’t want you to think that’s how I act.”

He had laced his fingers through mine and was slowly pulling me closer and closer to him until he had both hands on my waist. He tilted my chin up to look at him and he bent down and gave me a gentle kiss on the lips. It felt absolutely electrifying I never wanted him to stop. I pulled him closer and deepened the kiss wrapping my arms around his neck. Then he pulled back ending our kiss too soon.

“I have great news to tell you, I’ve chosen you to be my bride.”

I felt my heart stop in my chest and I ran.