To Love A Princess

Chapter Six

“Thank you for coming over on such short notice,” I smiled. “I honestly didn’t expect this. Everything just happened so sudden and I didn’t know if I’d be able to see you. But I’m glad you were able to come.” 

“You don’t have to thank me, you're my best friend. I hope you know I’m always going to be here for you,” Olivia smiled in response. 

I took her to my bedroom and opened the door for her. I watched as her turquoise floor length dress dragged on the ground as she walked. It kind of suited in her way, showing off her slim figure. The sleeves hugged her arms a little bit but still gave her plenty of room to move around. This dress along with every other dress she owns just looks absolutely stunning on her. I swear she’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. She sat down on the edge of my bed, graciously folding her hands and placing them in her lap. I closed the door, almost getting wrapped in my own dress. Mine was royal purple and the thin mesh sleeves just about reached my elbows just the way I liked it.

“So I wanted to ask you something,” I told her, biting my lip in anticipation. 

“It must be really important if you wanted to see me in person. What is it?” she asked curiously.

I wanted to ask her will you run away with me so we can get the happiness we deserve. I wanted to ask her will she be mine for now and forever, no matter what our parents say. More so my father in my case. But now that I’m standing here and she’s right in front of me, I was speechless. Suddenly, Damen’s pep talk left my mind as if it were never there in the first place.  As much as I wanted to ask her will she marry and run away with me so I don’t have to marry Damen, I couldn’t. I’m too afraid of what she’ll say. Instead, I asked.. 

“Will you be the maid of honor for my wedding?” 

She practically jumped off of my bed and squealed in excitement. She grabbed my hands and jumped for joy, her smile seemed bigger and brighter and I knew that this was not going to end well for me. 

“I’ll take that as a yes,” I smiled. 

“I was waiting for you to ask me. I was thinking I’d just have outdress the guests and make it known I’m the maid of honor. How long do I have to prepare?” she asked. 

“Not long. Less than a week probably. I would’ve asked you sooner but I’ve been trying to avoid the wedding preparations. The doctor came by yesterday and said my mother’s condition seems to be getting worse, and if I want her at my wedding I’d need to push it up,” I explained. 

Her face fell. “How long does she have?”

My voice began to crack. “A week at most but I don’t want to believe that. She’s a fighter and I know she’ll get past this. She just has to.” 

At this point the tears were starting to fall uncontrollably. Olivia pulled me into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around my waist. I rested my head on her shoulder for a brief moment, before she positioned me in a way where I was looking at her, her hands on my shoulders. My heart was racing at the sudden contact, almost as if it was going to beat right out of my chest. 

“We’re going to get through this,” she whispered loud enough for me to hear. “As your best friend it’s my job to be here for you in times of need. If you need anything just let me know and I’ll do my best to do whatever it is you need me to do.” 

I sniffled and gave her a weak smile. I knew that she would stand on her words. I knew she would always be here for me. But would she still be here if I told her that I’m in love with her? I guess there’s only one way to find out. 

“Can I ask you something?” 

She nodded. “What’s going on?” 

Here goes nothing. 

“So I have this… friend who has a major crush on his friend and he doesn’t know how to tell her. What do you think he should do?” 

Oh you’ve got to be kidding me. I did not just refer to myself as a friend. And a male one at that. She looked at me in confusion but then her face seemed to return to her normal resting face. But then it turned into a smile moments later. She caught on. Oh God. I think she knows. 

“I think I know who you’re talking about,” she responded. 

I swallowed. “You do?” 

“I believe so yes,” she nodded. 

I let out a sigh of relief, releasing a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Oh thank God because I didn’t know-”

“Prince Damen likes someone else and he doesn’t know how to tell her.”

“Wait what?” 

“Come on it’s not that hard to figure out. Your marriage is arranged and you don’t like him. And the only reason why he doesn’t know how to tell her is because you two are getting married and there’s not a chance he’d be able to get out of this marriage with you to be with her.” 

“Er.. um yeah,” I stammered. “He does indeed have feelings for someone else.” 

I can’t believe she believes that Prince Damen has feelings for someone else. I can’t believe that I’m letting her believe this. I had every intention of telling her the truth I really did. I don’t know what happened. 

“Tell him that he just needs to be honest with her. Explain the situation between the two of you, assure her that it’s only for business and that you two have no feelings for each other at all. And if she can’t get past it, then she’s the one missing out.”

“Yeah.. I’ll be sure to tell him that.”

She rested a hand on my shoulder which caused me to look into her brown eyes. My heart began to feel as if it was going to flutter at the sudden touch. Even though the mesh of my sleeve, I knew that her hands were warm just like her heart is.

“Your mother will be fine,” she reassured me with a nod. 

I simply nodded not even knowing if that were true. But I wasn’t just worried about my mother. I was also worried about myself and the events to come. One can only pray that things will be okay. 

*****

Damen had come by a couple of hours after Olivia left per my father’s request so he can speak to both of us. He had even brought his father King Harold along so my father can go over everything with him. Damen and I were uneasy about the wedding being moved to a sooner date, especially me. But before my mother fell extremely ill, I knew she was looking forward to this. I don’t want to let her down. 

Once Damen and his father had arrived, I had the task of bringing them to the dining room. My father had requested that our kitchen staff make a light meal. After their journey, he was sure they’d agree on eating something before returning home. Damen and I walked side by side, hand in hand so at least his father would believe this marriage is real. I’ve only seen Damen’s father twice since I met him. Once at the engagement party, and today. I can honestly say it seems as if Damen gets his features from his father. The same midnight black hair, and chiseled jawline. They both have round eyes but unlike Damen’s blue orbs, his father had brown eyes. 

His mother must have had blue eyes. They both even have the same straight eyebrows. 

When it comes to Damen’s mother, I have no idea what she looks like. His mother passed the day of his birth and his father threw away all of her belongings. He took down the family portraits so he wouldn’t have to be reminded of the fact that his wife was gone and never coming back. If it were me, I wouldn’t take them down. I would’ve kept the family portraits on the wall and kept a few of her belongings for memories. The rest would be donated to those in need. I’m sure she was an amazing person because there’s just some qualities Damen possesses that he clearly didn’t get from his father. 

“Here we are,” I announced as we stood in front of the threshold of the dining room. 

My father rose out of his seat, and looked at us. He held a hard look on his face showing her was serious. He even wore his business attire which consisted of a black button up and a pair of black dress pants that were made of fabric. His mustache added more seriousness. When he does shave, he looks more gentle, nice, not so threatening. I silently gestured for Damen and his father to take a seat and I followed them, taking a seat cross from Damen. My father sat at the head of the table and King Harold sat on the other end. Four of the kitchen staff immediately brought out a chicken broth, crackers, and tall glasses of water, and set them in front of us. The women curtsied while the man bowed and then exited the room. Everyone was quiet. The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop. 

“I’m sure you requested our presence to discuss business and not just to eat a snack. So shall we get down to business?” King Harold asked. 

“Yes right. I guess I’ll get straight to the point,” my father replied. “The queen’s condition has gotten far worse and she doesn’t have much time left. Doctor Owens guesses a week at most. There’s a possibility she can last a little bit longer than that, but he’s not one hundred percent sure. Abbey and I both hoped we could attend Isabelle’s wedding so I propose we move it to a closer date.” 

“I’m so sorry about your wife Leonard,” King Harold spoke. His attention then turned to me. “I know how it is to lose someone close to you. I remember when Yezenia passed. Even though I was devastated, I knew I had to take care of our son. And I hope within time everything becomes okay again.”

“Thank you,” I spoke softly. 

“As for that,” King Harold continued on. “I know how much this wedding means to your family and I agree the wedding needs to be sooner. How soon are you thinking?”

“Next Saturday. That should be plenty of time to get everything prepared. Right Isabelle?” my father asked, looking my way. 

“Yes,” I responded softly. 

Next Saturday? That’s less than two weeks away. There’s no way I’m going to be able to tell Olivia the truth now. It’s too soon. I mean I just asked her to be my maid of honor and now I have to find a way to tell her that I’m deeply in love with her. I looked over at Damen and he held the same look of panic on his face as well. I’m glad I’m not the only one. 

“Then it’s settled. I’ll have invitations out first thing tomorrow. Please feel free to invite anyone you want there. Our kingdoms need to know that there will be peace, all because of our children,” my father said looking at Damen and I. 

I nodded giving off a weak smile. Damen did the same and we exchanged glances that scream “now what do we do?”