The Princess Next Door

Chapter 7

Shawn's P.O.V.

As I looked up to Cara as she stood at the top of the stairs, she looked like heaven. She was so beautiful, there were no words to describe her. She looked exquisite in her dark blue evening dress with her hair curled, that I just fell in love with her at first sight. If the Prince was anything like me, he would do the same and this is what my heart couldn't take. I wanted her all to myself and I couldn't allow him to get to close to her. As she descended, her mother and father came into the room. " Oh my baby, you look absolutely stunning." her mother squealed as her father shook his head in approval. Cara was at the bottom and said, " Well what do you think, Shawn?" as she took my outstretched arm. " I think you look amazing" I whispered quietly to her as I led her into the main hallway where everyone was gathered to see the Princess.

" Are you nervous?" I asked her as she slowed her steps the closer we got. " Yes, just a little" she said. " Don't worry, I'll protect you Princess" as I winked at her. We entered the hallway where the party was going on and a hush fell over the crowd as we entered. Her mother and father were behind us and announced,

" Ladies and Gentleman, we are proud to introduce you to our daughter. Cara Elisabeth Lorraine." her father proudly said. " Now we would like to announce the engagement of our daughter to Adrian Bourbon, the Prince of France." As they announced his name, a tall lean young man about 22 walked down the opposite staircase. I let Cara's hand go as she walked towards him. He had dark hazel eyes and was about 2 inches shorter than me. He had an arrogant look about him as he gazed at other women across the room. I watched him as he approached Cara and I couldn't help but notice the smirk he had across his smug face.

" It is a pleasure to meet you Princess, as he took her hand and kissed the top of it. I have waited a long time to meet someone as beautiful as you" he said as Cara blushed and I felt my blood boiling. He seemed to fit the royal profile as he walked alongside Cara as he whispered into her ear and caught the eye of every woman in the room. I knew my job was to protect Cara physically, but I felt like I was going to have to protect her heart as well.

Cara's P.O.V.

As Prince Adrian walked me towards the grand table spread out for us to sit at, I glanced back and saw the face Shawn had made when we walked away. I could see jealously all over his face. It made my heart flutter, thinking that he was so mad about the Prince but at the same time I knew I had a duty to fulfill. As we sat down, the Prince whispered into my ear and placed his hand on my thigh, "I wonder what my beautiful Fiancee has underneath that dress of hers." I looked at him in shock and replied, " I am not one to rush into anything, so I am sorry if I disappoint you now l, by telling you that you may want to keep your hands to yourself." He looked at me and smirked, " Oh my dearest, you have no idea what I am capable of and you will be mine soon enough, you can count on that ." as he kissed my cheek.

I just turned and looked at him as my parents were on the other side watching us, smiling and looking happy as though they were glad to see me and Adrian getting along so well. If they only knew that I was dreading this meeting. Yes he was attractive but I could tell from this moment he was not the one who would capture my heart. The gala began and we were served food from one end of the table to the other as servants came up to me and offered me all kinds of delicacies. " You need to eat, Princess. You will need all your strength for our wedding night which will soon be at hand." Adrian commented as I turned to look at him. " What do you mean by that?" I asked him. " Well, I am sure that the wedding will commence within the month, so you might as well get plenty to eat now. I will warn you Princess, I am insatiable in bed and you will need your energy." as he winked at me. I couldn't speak after that, I couldn't imagine even being close to him in that way. I wish there was some way out of this marriage but I felt like my world had been completely turned upside down.

The night continued on and at one point, there was a dance that was made in my honor. They announced that both I and the Prince would have our first dance together. The spotlight shown on us as Adrian grabbed my hand and walked me out to the dancefloor. " I sure hope you know how to dance my Princess. That will definitely give me an idea about how you are in bed." he said slyly. I just scoffed at his comment and put my hand with his as he put his hand around my waist. I was putting on a smile for everyone, but inside I felt like I was breaking down. This is not how I imagined the man of my dreams would end up being, and I felt just like a puppet on a string as we started to dance. As he twirled me around the room, I noticed Shawn in the corner with his back up against the wall, with his arms crossed and scowl on his face. I hoped he didn't think that I was enjoying myself with the Prince because it couldn't be any further from the truth.