Chapter 3

My body suddenly felt... cold.

I have never felt cold in a room before. My skin rippled with goosebumps. A shiver ran up my spine. Andrew notices me shiver.

"Are you alright?" He steps in front of me, blocking most everyone's view of me and my line of sight to Prince Azriel.

Andrew's eyes hold concern. His body language comes off calm and casual as to not alarm anyone who might be watching. His lips are pressed into a thin line.

"I-I..." I clear my throat and nod, smiling.

"Yes. I got a chill is all." I smile warmly, placing my hand on his arm to calm his nerves. He raises a brow at me.

"Do you require a escort for the night, your majesty?" He asks me using a more public volume. A few heads seem to tilt in our direction to listen.

"No, I don't believe-"

"Your majesty?"

Andrew turns around to expose a clear view of a dark women in a golden tribal gown. Her strong hips hold up a sheer golden skirt while a deep golden halter top covers her chest. Her hair was a halo of curls around her head while a fine golden chain softly cascades around her thick hair like a crown. Her escort is a tall dark man. A colorful shall covers his broad shoulders.

I notice Andrew grow stiff at the sight of her.

"Yes?"

"May I introduce Princess Corinthia of the Isles of Endora," her escort's deep voice is familiar. I recognize it from many minister meetings.

"A pleasure to meet you finally, Princess. Archivold, it's good to see you again." I greet them with a smile. Princess Corinthia curtsies low while Archivold bows.

"The pleasure is ours, your majesty," Archivold says, noticing Andrew.

"Prince Andrew," he greets. Andrew bows back and lingers for a moment.

"I'll leave you," he tells me but I stop him.

"Princess Corinthia, this is your first time here in Valeris, correct?" I ask her. Her dark brown eyes find mine as she nods.

"Yes, your majesty." Her voice was smooth and confident. Many Princess's were submissive things with little confidence in their presence. This one held promising power within herself.

"Archivold, I'm sure you'd like to enjoy your evening. Andrew, would you be able to escort Princess Corinthia for the night? Perhaps educate her of our kingdom's... social circles in the room?" I ask, glancing at Andrew who looks between Archivold and I.

Minister Archivold has a knowing look but acts as if he doesn't know what I'm doing. His strong stance takes a relaxed breath as Andrew looks towards Corinthia and smiles.

"Of course, your majesty," Andrew nods to me and steps in front of Corinthia. She bows deeply as he does the same.

"Princess," he greets.

"Your highness," she greets back.

"Minister," Andrew bows his head. Archivold bows while Andrew sticks his arm out for Corinthia to take. He leads her into the crowd with a stiff nervousness.

"You are a devious women," Minister Archivold chuckles, glancing at their lingering path before looking up at me.

I notice his left eye has become more clouded since I last saw him. His blindness is setting in. Soon he won't be able to hold his position as a Minister once fully blind. The price of magic can be harsh.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Archivold. Princess Corinthia must learn her potential allies if she wishes to remain a stronghold port." I point out, keeping my intentions strictly political. He hums his understanding before poking me again.

"And a potential husband, perhaps?"

I lift an eyebrow, tilting my head as if watching them.

"If she finds one tonight, would that be so bad?" I ask him. His chuckles fill the air around us as he takes in my theory.

"A strong husband would suite her well. She is a tiger, you know," he tells me. It was his known specialty to boast about the royal family of the Endora Isles. The Princess was especially his pride to boast about.

Corinthia was known to be the wild child of the family but she had threw that reputation to the wind when she saved her kingdom from invaders of the south. The story was a wide tale but encapsulated her bravery and cleverness against the odds. I had heard the tale and was somewhat impressed but more so of her ability to outsmart men.

"Much like her mother was, I believe you told me."

"That's where she inherited it, yes. I don't think she'll be living in her mother's shadow though." He says confidently.

"What makes you think that?" I ask him, intrigued by his enthusiasm for his Princess. Archivold smiles widely but before he can tell me, someone else comes to introduce themselves.

"Your majesty," a booming voice gains our attention and the attention of most of the room. Minister Archivold instinctively moves in front of me on the steps and faces the man.

"Minister Remy," Archivold greets with distain, "what do you want?"

Archivold had never sounded so dry before but now he was stiff. Almost like a predator.

Minister Remy was the minister of Gantrick. A kingdom renown for its vulgarity and crime rate. It was a kingdom of outlaws and a kingdom of war. Our alliance went as far as resource trade and that was all.

"Archivold, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," minister Remy chastises Archivold with no remorse to my presence. Archivold's hand becomes a fist behind his back but he remains emotionless with him.

"What do you want?" Archivold repeats. Minister Remy rolls his eyes.

"Always business, never play, Archie! It's a party! Enjoy yourself!" He slams a hand on Archivold's shoulder and gives him a firm shake. "Anyway, I'm here to discuss something with her majesty, the queen. Nothing to concern yourself over, Archie."

Archivold doesn't move. I begin to see why he is so dry with Minister Remy. As if sensing he would not get his way, Minister Archivold tries to address me now.

"Your majesty, I believe we have met before..."

Minister Remy was a skinny man. His dirty blond hair was greasy and his eyes were a pale blue. He was not a very attractive man. His skinniness made him look skeletal.

"I was speaking with Minister Archivold before your rude interruption, Minister. It seems to me your business must be urgent to interrupt so abruptly." I scold him, noticing his confidence waver in his realization. He takes a moment to compose himself before continuing.

"Is your business urgent, Minister?" I ask him. He looks to be caught between saying yes and Archivold's cold stare.

"I believe so, your majesty," he says.

"This is a party, Remy. You should enjoy yourself!" Archivold boasts, clasping his hands down onto his shoulders with a shake.

"You should come talk to Minister Perry! I remember you saying a great deal of your kingdoms interest in their improving harvests these past years!" Archivold tells Minister Remy.

"But I should speak with her majesty about the upcoming resource change," he tells Archivold.

"All preparations have already been made. Everything is on schedule, Minister." I tell him dryly. Minister Remy nods with a air of embarrassment. Archivold continues to move him away and into the crowd towards a group of men. Minister Remy becomes the main man of the group very quickly as a glass is placed in his hand. Archivold too takes a glass from the waiter.

I breath a sigh of relief at Archivold's sacrifice of the night.

I take in the room once again, scanning over the many faces and gowns. Much of the room were men but a great amount were young. I didn't know where to begin.

"I see you're enjoying Minister Remy's stimulating conversation," I hear my father's hum of smugness behind me. He joins my side and motions for me to join the crowd.

"I hope to find better conversation partner soon," I hum, feeling his eyes follow me as I take my leave.

Many eyes follow me as I make my way through the crowd, saying hello to familiar faces. I find the feast near the balcony and steal a sugar cookie from the table.

Few people talked on the balcony but soon made their way either to the garden or back inside. I could only imagine what it must be like to enjoy these parties. The only thing I enjoy about these parties were the food preparations.

I take my alone time and eat my cookie in peace. Enjoying the small dances happening in the garden among the many guests. Lords and ministers clap along to the music as couples joyously dance with one another. I spot Andrew with Princess Corinthia on the sidelines, clapping along and talking over the music as they lean to hear one another.

I hum. "Looks like I'm getting another sister," I whisper to myself. I lean over the stone railing and hum to the music.

"And who would that be?" I hear behind me. I jump slightly, not expecting someone to be listening let alone talk to me.

I turn to find Prince Azriel watching me. His fire eyes capture my attention.

"Who wants to know?" I counter, trying not to stare at his handsome features. His lips curve into a smile. His strong jaw and beautiful eyes make my heart skip a beat.

"I apologize for my rudeness, your majesty. I am Prince Azriel of Ravaryn." He bows and again takes my breath away with his eyes. I bow back.

"A pleasure, Prince Azriel."

"The pleasure is mine, your majesty. I couldn't help but overhear you talking to yourself. Do you do that often?" He asks me.

"I tend to. It's not often I keep company."

"I can't imagine why." I smile.

"Hard to say. Could be my brothers or my talking to myself." He smiles.

"May I join you?" He asks. I nod, looking back over the garden dances. He doesn't seem relaxed one bit. His whole body is strained by every movement.

"I too have intimidating brothers." He tells me, trying to continue the conversation.

"I doubt as intimidating as the Dagon of the West's children. I can't remember a man who didn't want to know their weaknesses."

"I can imagine that becomes tedious for company."

"I suppose that's why I don't keep any company."

"Has anyone talked about you?" He asks me. I glance at him.

"Useful of them to talk about me rather than to me, I suppose," I shrug. He glances down at me and nods, taking in this information.

"Shame. I'm enjoying our conversation."

"Really? I suppose that's why you're so tense, hmm?" I poke at him. He says nothing.

I must have pinched a nerve with that one because he doesn't say anything. He just watches the garden below us.

"I do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I do not know," he says, his eyes never leaving the party below us.

"You seem to be doing well so far, Your highness," I assure him.

I notice his eyes glance my way before he continues the conversation.

"I've met you before." He tells me. I look at him now. I study the side of his face, trying to remember him.

"I can't say I remember."

He turns and looks down at me, his red eyes scanning my face. "I never forgot."

I smile softly, noticing his confidence growing as we continue talking. He watches me closely as I turn to see the party inside.

"I suppose we should rejoin the party. My father will want to know who I've been conversing with." He seems unmoved by my passive farewell and instead offers an alternative.

"I'm not very familiar with much of these kingdoms and their affairs. I'm not usually the one who is chosen for diplomacy." He tells me, a air of vulnerability now surrounding his words. His eyes seem to scan the party with hard eyes.

"You're not one to make friends easily, I'm guessing." I observe. His brows pull themselves together as he opens his mouth.

"I require an escort for the night." I tell him, his eyes now trailing back to me. His eyes seem to intensify before takes this as his opportunity.

"Would you like an escort for the night, your majesty?" He asks me.

I almost laugh at his question but notice his full seriousness. He was a serious man for a prince.

"I would like that."

He nods, extending his arm to me and allowing me to take it. I move to his right side while he leads us back to the party.

The whole room seemed to become a rush or murmurs and whispers the moment we entered the room. Lifting my head, I prepare myself for the nights enlightening judgement and enthusiastic eyes.