The Fourth Chapter

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I stare at my soup blankly. I finally look up, not moving my head. I notice Khalid is chatting mother and Beatrice up. But clearly the tension between Beatrice and mother is still there. I take a sip of my soup as it instantly sends shivers up my spine, warming me up. I haven't been myself ever since the engagement. We're supposed to leave today. Which is a long carriage ride, a boat from the coast to France, and a couple trains to India. Might as well live in those trains since it will take a long while.

"Honey," Mother starts, snapping me out of my boredom.

"What activities do you have planned for you and your fiance?" Mother smiles fakely. Right, she set up a whole date for me and Khalid. I won't talk to him, though. I refuse to. Not even consider looking at him.

"First, we're going to walk through the freshly planted garden," I say with a high and absolutely annoying bubbly voice.

"Then, we're going to take a long hike with the little horses." I continue, making everybody wince. I realize I'm creating a fool of myself and calm down.

"And finally, we're going to have a nice dinner on my mothers balcony--"

"That sounds lovely." Khalid smiles, it was so warm I almost had to resist smiling back.

"--And pray to God that I don't push you off!" I yell, pushing my chair back. I then storm off and leave the room, which is the second time in 24 hours.

I slip on my harem pants and a plain jacket I managed to find in the town a few months ago. If I'm going horse riding with that awful man that's been sleeping in father's chambers for the past 4 months, I'd rather do it looking the worst I can. I check the mirror. Once again, my crooked nose sticking out more than ever. But this timing is perfect.

I walk down the corridor and see Khalid waiting for me in a nice corduroy jacket and linen pants with a white silk shirt. I don't get why he's making an effort while I'm over here looking like an absolute bum. But I won't and will not let him get to me.

"You look beautiful," He smiles. What's so great is that his smile makes me want to take another smack at him again and again.

"Mmmm," I grumble, letting him know I couldn't care less.

I start walking down the long passageways of the improved garden. Lillies, roses, and many bright flowers fill the stone planters.

"My." Khalid proclaims, "Lovely, isn't it?" He says.

"Yes," I let out the breath I've been holding. I was sick of not absolutely freaking out about all the new life planted into my garden.

"I've heard that mother had some important people in Japan bring in a whole ton of cherry blossom trees while you've been here. Too bad they aren't in full bloom and won't be for the next few years." I chuckle, still sad I wouldn't be here to see it.

"Cherry blossoms are amazing, yes." He agrees. Why is he only doing small talk?

"So..-" I drag, "Are you King or just a prince?" I ask, since mother announced him as the Prince.

"I'll be King within a year." He smiles, "But, even as prince I'm constantly busy. So I hope I'll be able to spend all the time I've lost with my queen." He says, smile growing brighter.

I instantly blush, but quickly cover my face.

"What's wrong?" He inquires. I look through my fingers and see his deep brown eyes looking straight into my grey-blue irises.

"N-nothing," I say, slapping my face to cover up the fact it was already red from embarrassment.

"Just tired. Had to slap my face to wake myself up. See?" I chuckle, pointing at my crimson face. Khalid then looks at me weirdly, then smiles. That was smooth.

We left the garden and headed towards the stables. I approach Celia, my horse, and Khalid picks Buttermilk, Beatrice's horse. We both get on with ease, but I slip a little and almost fall. Khalid asks if I'm okay and I gesture to him that I was fine. I signal my horse to go and Khalid follows not too far behind. He manages to catch up to me as we head under the orchard.

"You guys really have everything, hmm?" Khalid exclaims, surprised.

"You don't?" I laugh midsentence, "I'm sure your palace is much bigger than mine, let alone the entire plot." I say jokingly, though hoping it wasn't true. I didn't want to get lost.

"It's maybe a bit bigger, but we don't have the luxuries of an orchard or such flowers like yours." He says as his dazzling eyes go towards the garden in the distance.

"How come?" I challenge, trying to think of a reason why his country couldn't have such common fruits.

"It's far too heated in my country. The apples wouldn't grow, let alone the saplings growing." He answers, slight smile showing, knowing he doesn't need pity.

"Oh," I look down at the apple spotted ground. "Well, maybe I could bring some apples for the long ride to your home." I smile at him warmly.

"That'd be perfect." He beams back.

I then pick an apple off of a branch near me and feed it to Celia, feeling her chew throughout my entire body.

Khalid follows my lead and does the same, laughing when Buttermilk had half of it come out of her mouth. I laugh back as I can feel us getting the slightest bit closer. But if this man wants to be my fiance, he's going to have a lot more come to him than just some activities to break the ice.

Khalid and I walk back into the castle as we part ways to get ready for the dinner that mother had planned on her balcony. I enter my room as Lehzen was definitely waiting for me to come back and have me ready. She helps me prepare for the dinner as she places my hair into a braided bun. Lehzen then brings out a soft red satin dress with a white underskirt. I openly didn't want to talk to her and she knew it. She slips me into the dress, places in my ruby earrings, sprays perfume, and let's me go. I walk towards the ever familiar, chilling silver doors and the guards open them almost instantly at the sight of me.

I enter the room and see the windowed doors to the balcony open, curtains billowing in the wind. I step slowly towards the balcony, noticing Khalids teal and cream suit immediately. I suck in my breath as Khalids body comes more into view when I walk closer. He catches me and I can hear an obvious breath getting sucked in, and it wasn't mine. Khalid gets up and bows.

"You look wonderful, your Highness," He says, sneaking another look at me. A fragment of irritation comes up, but not as bad if somebody like Aldwin were to say it.

"Thank you, your Highness." I curtsy, chuckling under my breath a bit.

He pulls out my chair and gestures me to sit down. Its gorgeous. The tall candles seem to be burning for a while now and the sky is as clear as day, except it was distinctly nighttime. The stars shone upon us, brightening the dinner.

A maid brings out plates filled with dinner and politely says enjoy. I place my napkin on my lap and start eating as I catch Khalid staring at me.

I swallow my food and stare back.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I smile, "Is there something wrong?" I then wonder seriously.

"Nothings wrong," He replies, looking down and then back to me.

"I'm just hoping not to get pushed off a pretty tall balcony tonight." He chuckles, and I notice he has a cute slight gap in between his teeth. And it makes his smile even brighter than the stars.

Our dinner is finished and it was time to leave. I had to say goodbye to Aldwin and Margaret first, though. The goodbye hugs were tight and loving, but with an obviously hint of sadness. We'd be back for Christmas, hopefully.

"Oh, have a fun time in India, my dear." Margaret says, sucking in her breaths in small sobs. Tears streaming down her face.

"Yea, and if he ever hurts you, you better be here instantly." Aldwin says, as I reply back with a promise. I hope they're allowed to show up when the wedding comes.

I hug mother, Edward, and my sisters goodbye. I also reassure them by telling them I'd send letters.

The man on the carriage let's us know it's now time to leave as we give our last few hugs goodbye. We enter the carriage waving when the carriage starts to move. When they become out of sight, I immediately feel tears coming on. I look away and out into the starry night, crying quietly.

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Hello! I apologize for the short chapter, but I've been in such a rut. Especially with this chapter. I hope in the future the chapters will be over 2000 words now that things have gotten up to a higher speed! My goal is to finish this book by the end of the summer and onto the next project! Goodbye for now

Yours Truly ~ Author