Royal Disaster

Chapter 15: A visit

"Your majesty," I said as I curtsied. I was in a robe given by Lady Farah. This was un-lady-like but I had no time to change. This unannounced visitation of the prince caught me completely off guard. "What are you doing here, your majesty? It's awfully late."

"I believe Lady Farah is responsible for all this formality." Alas smirked and bowed a little. "Would you care to join me for a walk in the garden, Rose?" He smiled. That familiar smile he gave me when we were in the woods.

I was ecstatic about his offer. But I know better, so there's no other choice now but to refuse. "I-I would love to. But I don't think that's a good idea, your majesty."

"Why?" was all he muttered. A plain question, but we both know the complicated answer to that.

"As you are already aware, tomorrow is my first formal day in court. I need to have a clear head. I am excited and nervous at the same time, but more on the latter. So your offer of a walk in the garden is clearly not helping my nerves as of the moment" I sighed.

Alastair laughed a little. I was surprised and annoyed at his little gesture. "There she is. She's back. I just love how fiercely you talk back at me." Alas finally said.

"I'm glad I amused you, your majesty." I smirked back.

"Alright, if you don't want to walk with me outside, Can we just stay here then? Talk like how we did in the woods?" He just won't quit.

"Talk about what?"

"Everything. But what really interests me is the dynamic of your family. Should we start talking about that first?" Alas smiled.

My heart skipped a bit. Can he stop smiling like that?

"Well? Can we?" He prodded.

"Alright. But not too long, I have to be up early tomorrow." I gestured for him to come inside and closed the door behind him.

Alas got one of the couple of big chairs inside the room, positioned it in front of the bed, and sunk into his seat. I, on the other hand, was sitting at the foot of the bed. A few good seconds of awkward silence and I finally managed to croak a word.

"Why did you bring me here?" I stared blankly at Alas.

"It's because I like you. Is it not clear as day now?" Alas answered straightforwardly.

I did not expect that answer at all. I knew there was a mutual aura between the two of us but I cannot believe he would ever acknowledge it. It was surprising, but it is also plainly the truth.

"But you know you can't, your majesty." I said while managing to paint a little faint smile on my face.

The prince exhaled loudly as he leaned back in his chair, dipped his head down, and covered his face with both of his hands.

"I know. I'm still trying to figure that out as we get along." He muttered, still cupping his face. Worry was painted all over his face. It broke my heart a little, I admit.

"I most definitely do not want to cause you any trouble, your grace." I looked down.

At the back of my mind, I knew I had proved myself right the last time. I knew coming here was a mistake. Alas and I both know it. I was just overly ecstatic at the thought that I'd finally be leaving home and meeting all of the people in court and I never thought of the consequences. I don't even know what Alas was thinking when he brought me here, aside from the obvious attraction he felt for me, which he just admitted a while ago.

But as selfish as I make out this thought inside my head, I also know I'm here for a reason. It's as if I'm meant to be here. I knew in my heart I needed to be here. I just absolutely do not know what for.

"It's alright. Don't worry. I'm not going to act on anything anyway. I want to help you." His words broke into my thoughts, snatching my consciousness back to reality. "This is what you wanted, right?"

I looked at him and, all of a sudden, I felt relief. This person, in a very short span of time, made every effort to make sure I was alright and comfortable. How can I not be grateful?

"Yes. Definitely." I gave him the warmest smile I could ever give. That familiar and reassuring smile he so effortlessly gives me every time. "This is what I wanted."

"Then we made the right choice. We will be alright." He declared, sitting upright now.

"I guess we will be."

A few minutes of silence and staring into the walls, the floor, and then the walls again. He finally spoke first.

"So.. about your family? How come Elchard is so drawn to you?" His playful smirk came back now.

"My goodness. Aren't we over this yet?" I slightly raised my voice this time, annoyance evident.

He burst out laughing. "You really are clueless." He caught his breath and spoke again, "But alright. I believe your family loves you very much though. They clearly treat you like a princess, much less than I am treated as a prince here actually. I am very surprised such treatments exist within a household."

"It might be because instead of affection, respect and duty are given much more emphasis here in court," I said.

"Brilliant. That is exactly the reason why." He smiled a little, "But given that I have been taught about respect and duty all my life, it's ironic that I did what I did. Right?" He was referring to when he ran away from his duties and disrespected his fiancee.

"Right." I smiled. He was surprised I agreed. It showed on his face.

"Running from your responsibilities whether you asked for them or not, and hurting people in the wake of your departure.. Yes, those are pretty stupid and irresponsible things to do. And yes, you have a lot of cleaning up to do.But acknowledging your mistakes, which you just did, is a start." I paused, "So, your majesty, you are not entirely a fopdoodle after all." I smiled.

And just like that, the atmosphere lightened. The thick aura of worry and doubt disappeared from his face.

"Thank you. Not everyone can insult and compliment me at the same time." Alas laughed a little and relaxed his shoulders.

A few reminders about the people in court and the things I should watch out for in a prince's perspective, later.. He finally bid farewell.

I walked him to the door. "It was a lovely evening with you, Rose. Thank you." He smiled and reached out for my hand. I gave it and he kissed it tenderly.

"I appreciate your visit, your majesty. I hope the rest of your evening is as peaceful as my feelings right now. Thank you." I curtsied, and closed the door behind him.

Once I was in bed, I allowed myself to get lost in my random thoughts before I drifted to sleep. Tomorrow is my big day.

xx