Forever Isn't Always

Chapter 1

’Bang! Bang! Bang''

‘I can hear you! I’m not deaf! That is no way to wake up a princess, banging on the door like that. I'm coming''

‘’I'm sorry Princess Clara but the King, your father wishes to speak to you'', said Joshua the head servant through the door.

‘’Tell him to give me a minute, I Need to get dressed''

‘’All right Princess''

‘’By the way Joshua, can you call Lisa, tell her I am awake now and that I need her services''

‘I’ll deliver your message your Majesty'', he said still talking through the door as he left.

What could father want me for waking me up like that? I hope it isn't something serious. I had been the only woman in his life since my mother died of the flu when I was four years old. He treated me like an angel since then but I knew it wasn't the same as having a companion. I had encouraged him and told him it was alright if he moved on but he refused saying he was fine, which I didn't totally believe. But I stopped nagging him after a while, besides who was I to tell the man what he wanted? 

My train of thoughts got disturbed with a continuous knocking on the door.

‘’Who is it?''

‘’Its Lisa, Madam''

‘’Come in. How many times should I tell you to call me Clara before you actually listen?'', I said as she walked into the bathroom

‘’I'm sorry Clara, it's just  that its hard. You're the princess''

‘’And you're my friend Lisa'' 

‘’I Know Clara'' she said as she came out of the bathroom. She had beautiful brown skin with twinkling brown eyes. She had a beautiful hourglass figure. It's no wonder she had been swept off her feet and had gotten married to Arthur, one of my father's men.

I walked into the bathroom and settled into the bathtub. Lisa had already filled it with scented and relaxing warm water. It was soothing against my skin. I had pale pinkish skin, I was tall and had a good hourglass figure too. 

‘’How was your night Lisa?'' I asked as she rinsed my feet. There was no point telling her not too, she was stubborn that way.

‘’It was fine Clara, I was so tired after work yesterday that I went straight to bed and didn't have enough time for Arthur'' She said as I  walked out of the tub and grabbed a towel'

‘’I told you not to overwork yourself Lisa, if the work is too much tell me'' 

‘’Its not that Clara''

‘’Then what?'' 

‘’It's just that…''

‘’That what Lisa? Don't keep me suspense'' She was behaving like a giddy schoolgirl who just found out her crush liked her. She kept shifting her feet

‘’I'm pregnant Clara!'', She said with eyes tinkling with joy

‘’OH MY GOSH! I'm so happy for you, have you told Arthur?'" I was so happy for her, I could barely hold the excitement, it felt like I was about to burst.

‘’I'll tell him tonight''

‘’He's going to be so excited Lisa''

‘’I know, but enough about me. How was your night?''

‘’I keep having the same dream Lisa. I'm in a cave and instead of feeling cold, I felt warm. I walked into the cave and it felt more like something was pulling me into the cave and not that I wanted to. Then at the end of this cave, I was attracted to a door and I felt I just had to open it. I did and then there was this very bright white light before I entered a meadow. I immediately locked eyes with the most beautiful pair of eyes I had ever seen. It looked like there were blue and green whirls that kept twisting around in circular motions. His hair flew around his face which made it hard to see any facial details. I felt drawn to him Lisa, it was like I had known him my whole life. It felt like love. Then when I get close enough to see his face clearly. He disappears and then I wake up. Do you think it means something Lisa?''

‘’How many times did you have this dream?'' she askes as she styled my hair.

‘’About four times this week and its always thee same''

‘’I think I know someone who can help but go and meet your father first, I heard he summoned you''

‘’Yeah, he did. Do you have any idea why Lisa?''

‘’No, but you'll find out soon enough, you're ready to go''

‘’Thanks Lisa''

‘’No need to thank me Princess, just doing my job'' she said as I stood up to go. I walked into the hall which was now empty as when I or my father were awake, they stayed out of our way, minding their business. I walked into the dining room where I was supposed to meet my father. As I walked into the room I heard my dad laugh and joke with an unfamiliar voice. I walked into the room and saw my father smiling merrily at the head of the table where he usually sat. And sitting by his right, MY spot was a man I didn't know. Who was he sitting in my place and telling my dad jokes and why did dad let me. I felt so annoyed. It was like someone had been tugging at my hair and then lied about it. But as a princess. I had to keep my composure.

I walked further into the room and caught the notice of my dad and the unknown man. He had auburn color hair and blue eyes. He had the build of a soldier but by his clothes I could tell he was a royal. I just didn't know what kingdom he was from and why he was here.

‘’OH good, you're up. We've been waiting for you.'' My dad said. I curtsied good morning to him and then I nodded acknowledgement to the man as I sat down by dad's left side.

‘’You know women Raldolph, they take ages before deciding what kind of socks to wear'', The man with no manners said. They both laughed like I wasn't there. I tried so hard to bite my tongue but at this point it seemed impossible.

‘’You called for me father?'' I said to get their attention.

‘’OH, yes dear. I have great news.'' He said as we all put food on our plates. He always had the best news and I was so curious to know what this was. 

‘’Oh do spill the tea daddy'' I said curiously. 

‘’Alright then. This man next to me is Grant-'' he said referring to the manner less man ‘’ -he has asked for your hand in marriage and I have agreed. I think it is time for you to get married and start your own family.''

With those words my mouth had become sour and I lost my appetite. There was no way I would get married to a man I had just met especially to someone who couldn't pull off a good first impression. I felt like he had sucked the life out of me. Like every bone in my body had been removed and all that was left was emptiness. I was not letting that happen.