Beasts Of Blackcastle

Chapter Six

Chapter Six: An Unexpected Betrothal Or Is It? Tide of Blackness

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And once the night her, she crumbled within it's blackness and it realised that they were never meant to be together, alive within each other but the night chose to be selfish for never would it let her go. The princess was not delicate, she seeped from its darkness because she wanted to escape and that, the night would never know. A tide of blackness came her way and it ceased to be.

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"Vye," Princess Venia called softly, languidly elevating her head from her pillow to get a glance of the mentioned woman, "you not need to just sit there, it makes me uncomfortable. Come lie with me." As she prepared the spot next to her and stacked a second pillow just as she preferred, Vye knew there was no way she could refuse her.

The young woman wrung her fingers, rising from the accent chair tentatively, "I'll need to change first-" Her attempts to buy herself time were quickly squashed.

"Come as you are or take off the dress. Come on." The urgency in the princess' voice hailed forth a sense of panic in her. She was harried but nonetheless hesitant to keep her company in bed. "What is the matter?"

Vye shook her head, her shoulders tensing despite her lips widening to a smile. "Nothing, princess. I will take off the dress now, it will only take a minute. Should… Should I bring your cloth?"

"No, I'm fine as I am." Princess Venia propped her head on the palm of her left hand and gazed at Vye as though she was a display at an exhibit. After an unnecessary dalliying, Vye slid under the covers, laid on her side and faced away from the princess.

"You are not intimidated by what by brothers said are you?" The princess did not allow her any room to answer, she lightly probed her shoulders to get her attention. "Face me, how will I speak to you when you're turned away from me?"

"All right," Vye breathed and slowly tilted her body and adjusted her legs so her knees wouldn't touch the princess' but the princess could tell what she was trying to do and brought her knees forward as she drew hers back, "is this how you plan on sleeping?" Vye's wavering eyes frequented the window behind them and the princess could tell that she was angsty.

"Indeed. Why should I cover the windows? Why should I hide? I am free, Vye, and I will never ever hide again. Ugh," princess Venia rolled her eyes, huffing out a puff of air in disdain. For matters locked away deep in her heart of hearts, Vye was being such a dreadful kill- joy and trying to shoot down her high spirits, "if I'd known you will have that look on you the entire time I would have sent you off with the rest."

"I'm sorry, princess, " Vye apologised, a sadness filling her eyes that contradicted and put to shame her feigned smile, "I have been thinking of your upcoming engagement and marriage since your father mentioned it. I feel an overwhelming urge to mourn the purpose I will lose once you leave with your husband."

"Ahh, Vye," the princess coed softly, pulling her in for a hug but she was rejected, "is it because I'm nude?" The princess frowned as Vye nodded her head, she did not need a lecture from her about eminence and her duties to her, so she just let it go. "It has been occupying my mind as well. Tomorrow night might end with me engaged. It feels like everything is just happening so fast, I am excited to finally interact with others and experience the best of freedom but at the same time I am also a bit nervous because I am not as prepared for this as I thought I'd be…but oh well, no one is ever prepared for such things, isn't that what you once told me?

Suitors were gathering in their masses. The news of the king offering his daughter to an eligible suitor had reached kingdoms and realms far and wide and the best of royalty were going to be present at the emerald hall. Only about two hours had passed since the king had made his daughter aware of his intentions to find her a husband but there were already over a hundred noble suitors promising their attendance and begging for an invitation.

"What did my brother have to say to you?" Princess Venia questioned, her mind replaying the moment from earlier when her brother; prince Eclair pulled Vye away from her prying eyes to whisper something to her.

Vye first pretended not to remember before she lied and said to her, "He was just briefing me on the numbers. Then there were a hundred and eight confirmed on the list. A hundred and eight men so far are willing to contend for your affection, princess." An acrimonious flare flickered through her eyes even as she tried her hardest to appear to be nonchalant.

"A hundred and eight already.." The princess mumbled under her breath, she was in awe at the amount of men she was expected to choose from. When were they even going to get the chance to court her? All of them?

"I am already exhausted thinking about it." She slumped back into her pillow and gazed into the night. The one to take her heart would have to be as special as the night. "It's still so dark, I suppose dawn is running late." She joked but Vye did not find her funny at all. Why was the night so long? It was morning already yet it was as though the night was at its crest and daylight was still hours and hours away.

"It is concerning, the birds should long be singing by now but it's dead silent." Oh no, Vye was ageing her face yet again with worrying over the slightest thing.

"It is a special night." Princess Venia shrugged her shoulders casually, not even a tiny bit apprehensive. She did not expect the night she learns of her freedom from the Beast king to carry on just like any other normal night. "You worry too much, Vye. I hope you will be there tomorrow." The princess threw her body over Vye's and wrapped her arms around her. "You know, I don't have to live without you, I'd simply miss you too much. My new husband will just have to accept that wherever I go you follow."

Vye's breathing shallowed, her body tense but she allowed herself to remain in her arms. "I feel so fulfilled. I got to live to witness you be free and marry. I am thrilled, princess." Her tone said otherwise though. Thrilled? She was far from it. Her strange demeanour was persistent as well.

"We better sleep." The princess whispered into her ear and snuggled into her. "I will need all the energy I can get to face those hundred and eight men. I hope the numbers will not have doubled by sunrise, whenever that will be.

In the time they woke up, the sky was indigo and it was a beautiful day. From what princess Venia had learnt from her brothers, the number of suitors had risen to a staggering two hundred and twelve.

"Two hundred and twelve?!" Princess Venia exclaimed at the figure. "How ever will I manage? Surely father doesn't expect me to meet all of them this singular evening. I would need a week at least just for the introductions otherwise I'll have to choose the first one I find to my liking." This was baffling. How were there so many unmarried princes that her father found worthy?

Well this certainly said to her that she was not as special as Vye had made it seem.

"There is one thing you must understand, beauty," Prince Eclix's approach was very protective so she knew the kind of words to expect, "I will be near by at all times in case you need me. Those men may act like high royalty but deep within they are just that; men. If any one of them even so dares to make you feel uncomfortable I will rip his head off and make an example of him. You are very beautiful, I know their nature, they will desire to have you in any way they can and you must not allow them. I will not allow them. Father will not be giving you away to become a bedwarmer, to become a toy to be used at they desire. Listen, beauty, I'd rather you stay here where your loved but father insists you must marry. I want you to know that if you do not choose right this time, I will gladly make you a widow."