Chapter 22

Celia didn't really know how long she would have to wait, but as big as the garden was, it would probably take her longer to see everything than the business of the Grand Duke.

She would have loved to just walk around there, but since she had asked to be left alone, she feared getting lost.

So she decided to stay only in the front part of the garden and to settle there on a pretty white bench. The weather was really gorgeous and the roses, hydrangeas, carnations and jasmine bloomed in full splendor. It was just the beginning of July, she wondered what would grow here later.

For a brief moment, she simply closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth on her face. When she lifted her eyelids again, there was suddenly an angel standing right in front of her.

Long light brown curls framed the woman's small round face perfectly. Two golden-green eyes looked at her curiously and the small pout twisted into a gentle smile. "This is my place," she declared in her bell-bright voice.

"Excuse me!" Quickly, Celia stood up. She was so beguiled by this woman's beauty that she hadn't reacted fast enough. She looked so strangely familiar, yet she just wouldn't think of why. Had she possibly seen her at her debutante ball?

The beautiful woman gracefully sat down on the bench and then looked at her curiously. "Normally, it is proper to greet members of the royal family."

And at that moment, she realized. This was Princess Sarra Nemelia Mirielle of Lirandia.

No wonder she looked so familiar, she was so much like her brother. But the last picture she had seen of her had been as a small child, while the one before her was a young woman. If she remembered correctly, she had to be 18 or 19.

"Forgive me, Your Royal Highness. It was not my intention to be this rude. I was so dazzled by your beauty that I must not have been able to think clearly for a short time."

"You are forgiven. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" Princess Sarra's whole demeanor exuded so much authority that Celia felt more like the younger of the two. Once again, she had made a mistake that the princess had politely pointed out to her. Her teacher would have been so disappointed. "Please forgive me for the late introduction as well. My name is Celia Arinella Fleuret."

The princess tilted her head. "That name sounds so familiar. Were you not the young woman who refused my brother's proposal?"

Celia immediately blushed. "That… that is correct."

Suddenly the young woman began to laugh and Celia looked slightly surprised. "Great, it won't hurt this arrogant blockhead to get a rejection once in a while. At least he'll learn that he's just not as irresistible as he always thinks."

It was strange, really. Celia had imagined the royal family to be so very different. But certainly not this open and friendly.

"Ahhh, speak of the devil," the princess sighed suddenly, and Celia turned around. Indeed, the crown prince was coming straight for her. Why on earth had she wanted to see the garden so badly? She should have just waited in the carriage.

"Sister, I see you have a guest. Who is this lovely lady?" he inquired, and this time Celia did not make the same mistake. "Your Royal Highness, it is a real pleasure. My name is Celia Arinella Fleuret."

Immediately the crown prince's smiling face twisted into a grimace. "Lady Fleuret. You were the lady who turned down my request."

His sister was probably right, his ego seemed to have really suffered.

"I'm surprised you don't even know the face of the lady you proposed to, brother," the princess teased him. The two didn't seem to like each other very much.

Disapprovingly, her brother looked down at her, and seeing them side by side like this, it was hard to deny the siblings' resemblance. Especially since the crown prince possessed very soft features just like his sister, but his eyes were moss green without that golden glint in them. "Father wanted this connection, I just did as he said."

"Arla and I share only our father. Our mother is not the same," Celia explained nervously to the crown prince.

"At least, if you share any parent at all," he mocked slightly spitefully. Though the princess stood up in return and punched her brother in the chest, Celia wished for nothing more right now than for Alek to reappear.

"Hey, no need to hit me right away. It's an open secret that Lady Fleuret bears no resemblance to her father. Just look at her!" Rubbing his arm, he now turned directly to Celia again. "What do you seek here, anyway? Are you already regretting refusing the proposal?"

"Well, that has not actually been the reason to come here," she began hesitantly, and the princess started to laugh again. "I told you that not every woman falls at your feet."

This situation was getting more and more awkward. She was about to clarify why she was really here when the princess' gaze passed her and her eyes lit up. "Cousin Alek!" Excitedly she ran towards him and was about to jump into his arms, but the Grand Duke deftly held her back. "I'm very sorry Sarra, but I hope that in the future you could greet me with a little more distance. I don't want my fiancée to get jealous," he explained to her in a very calm tone. Almost like a big brother.

"Fiancée? What do you mean fiancée?" the princess exclaimed with little enthusiasm. Then, all of a sudden, she turned towards Celia and the crown prince also raised his eyebrows in surprise.

There was no way Alek could have missed that. Which was probably why he walked right past the princess, towards Celia, and put an arm around her. "Celia dear, haven't you told my cousins yet?" He first looked at the princess and then the crown prince with a grin. "We just got Uncle's approval earlier. Basically, we just need to look for a suitable date for the engagement party. However, you are still welcome to congratulate us even before."

Just why was I wishing for him to come? Based on the angry look on the crown prince's face for Alek and the princess's face for Celia, this news probably wasn't something that they were pleased with. Great.