Engaged to the Prince

Darkness

Katie managed to catch Alexander when she saw his body start to slump and set him down gently on the floor. She grabbed his phone and shone the light over his body to check for anything that could explain him losing consciousness so suddenly. She saw blood dripping from his temple and took a closer look at it.

“It’s something blunt, probably,” she muttered. “I should get him ou-” she paused when she recalled why they were eating sandwiches in the studio instead of going out. “Crap.”

She felt movement around her and she scrambled back, her back against the dance studio mirror, shining the phone’s flashlight. The darkness around her felt as if it now hid something else that wasn’t supposed to be seen. Another movement on her right… then to her left. Summoning all of her courage, she dashed to the door.

“Help!” she helplessly pounded on the door in panic.

She could almost feel the darkness around get closer… as if it was trying to swallow even the light from the phone. When it felt like whatever was hiding in the dark was closer, she felt the familiar scent of smoke fill her lungs.

“Katie!”

Her vision was shaky as if she was running. She turned around and saw the palace on fire, the snow around it melting from the heat. The winter night no longer felt cold.

“It’s going to be okay,” two figures towering over her pulled her closer, their large arms wrapping around her protectively.

“Lady!”

She felt her body snap back to reality, all of her senses suddenly overwhelmed by the growing fire around her.

“Where am I?” she muttered to the person now in front of her.

“Where are-” the girl looked at her in disbelief but shook her head. “Never mind, grab your friend! The door is open and I already called for help! You need to leave.”

The girl sheathed the dagger in her hands and ran out through the exit. Katie rushed to Alexander’s still unconscious body and, struggling to carry him, dragged him out by his feet instead. The moment she got out, Arden’s car parked in front of them.

Arden ran out of the car and pulled Katie into a tight hug. “Gods, I thought you were still inside! Are you alright?”

Katie nodded and pulled away, gesturing at the unconscious Alexander by her feet. “I’m fine, help me carry him.”

Arden told her to stand back and effortlessly scooped Alexander up from the ground. Katie opened the door to the backseat and allowed Arden to put Alexander in. From her place, she watched as the studio burned, recalling the vision from earlier. Her thoughts were interrupted by the siren of the approaching fire truck and another car with impatient passengers. When the car stopped near the building, her aunt’s familiar authoritative voice rang clear around her. At the sound of the Queen’s voice, Arden crouched and quickly opened the car’s passenger side door.

“Katie! Oh my gods, Katie!” her aunt ran to her and pulled her into a hug that was surprisingly strong. “I was so worried when they told me there was fire in the studio building!”

King Alaster ran to their side shortly after, asking about Alexander. Katie gestured to Arden’s car’s backseat and the King rushed to check on his son.

After panicking a bit about his son’s wound and Arden’s assurance that Alexander was fine, the King finally calmed down. “What exactly happened to him?”

“I’m not so sure either, Your Majesty,” Katie glanced at the building, small licks of flame still visible in some areas. “The lights suddenly turned off and he just… lost consciousness.”

The King paced back and forth, his hands on his waist. “Victoria, will it be alright if the dance will be postponed until the next-”

“No!”

The sudden interjection from the princess shocked both monarchs. “Princess Katie, would you care to tell me why you’re prioritizing the dance over my son’s well-being?”

Katie glanced at her aunt then to the disappointed king. “I just… thought Alexander would say the same… Your Majesty.”

“Do not assume you know my son enough to know what he wants!”

“Let’s go home!” the Queen interrupted, pulling Katie to the other car.

On the way back to the palace, Katie refused to meet her aunt’s eyes, thinking her behaviour was unacceptable. She felt the Queen’s hand wrap around hers. “I’m not mad, Katie,” the Queen muttered, her voice tender. “I’m just wondering why you wish to perform so badly.”

“It’s also service to the people,” Katie replied. “I just thought the sooner we can do it, the sooner I can show our people that I want to help. I’m afraid I’ll lose the opportunity to help if I allow tomorrow to pass.”

“They’ll know you care,” the Queen wrapped her hand around Katie’s shoulders. “I already know you’ll make a great ruler, someday.”

A small smile finally tugged at Katie’s lips. She glanced at her aunt, meeting her eyes for a quick second. “How are you feeling, aunt? Arden said you needed medical assistance earlier tonight.”

Katie’s smile faded when she saw the Queen’s befuddled expression. “What do you mean? I was feeling a little unwell for a moment but I never called for Arden.”

...

Hours after the fire, Alexander woke up in his quarters, Katie, his father, and the Queen all sitting patiently in his room. Seeing him stir in his bed, Katie stood.

“I’ll go call Arden,” she muttered, giving Alexander a smile before leaving.

Alaster ran to his son’s side and sat on his bed. “How are you feeling?”

“What time is it?” Alexander muttered, groggy.

“It’s still early morning. You have plenty of time to rest.”

“What about the dance?”

His father turned to the Queen, then back to him. “We thought it best to postpone it until-”

“Nope, nope, no…” Alexander raised his hand to silence his father.

“No?” the King was visibly shocked. “Do you honestly mean that? You’re hurt!”

“I’m fine! Besides, Katie clearly worked hard to be able to perform perfectly for the past week,” Alexander replied, his voice firm. “The courtship dance is not only for us but also for the people. Please understand her motivations… and mine.”

After a silent minute, the King looked down and nodded reluctantly. “Fine. But if you so much as flinch, you will stop.”

The King saw determination on his son’s eyes as he nodded. Tell me, Alexander… he thought to himself, his chest tightening. When have you gone against my wishes?

When Katie arrived with Arden to check up on Alexander, the King left the room. The Queen noticed the conflicting emotions in the King’s expression and followed him.

“Is there something wrong, King Alaster?” the Queen asked once they were far from Alexander’s room.

The King turned to the Queen. “Would you mind if I…” the King mumbled, reluctant. “I think I need a little guidance when it comes to Alexander.”

The Queen frowned. “I don’t think I can help you with that, my friend. My experience is… not ideal, either…”

The King’s expression fell. The Queen placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “But I can hear you out. I know how difficult parenthood can be.”