CHAPTER FIVE

“Do not mind your sisters,” General Rometrius implored.

I nodded slightly, although I was a bit angry. He signaled for the guards placed in front of the door to open it for me and they did without reluctance.

My eyes sailed into the hall as the chattering voices of the people got to me. I could see many people from the noble and high classes wearing beautiful dresses and suits. Some are discussing, some are eating, and some are dancing on the dance floor.

The musicians suddenly stopped playing. One servant blew the trumpet to get the guests' attention.

"Gentlemen and ladies. Let us welcome Princess Rosia Katherine, daughter of King Herbert von Erlone, the current ruler of our great kingdom.” The Herald inside announced my presence.

Drawing in a deep breath, I strode into the hall carefully, holding my chin up, head high, but kept my gaze only looking at the floor until I reached the throne where my father was sitting with my stepmother next to him.

“May his Majesty live long.” I bowed before the king as a princess would by holding the helm of my skirt and making a bend.

I could feel the guests still pouring their eyes on me. My heart increased its pounding beats. I felt my legs trembling.

The Queen sneered a smile on her face upon nothing.

Ignoring my stepmother, I went to sit at the table nearby. Taking a seat, I managed to glance around the space of the hall.

The guests came in their numbers, filling up the two sides. They haven’t stopped looking at me. Some looked awed, some surprised, while most others looked at me with irritation. Irritated as if it was my decision to marry the cursed king.

But why is the young king cursed? Is he evil as people say? No. I don’t have to start believing those rumors now, I scolded myself. He is now my husband, and my only duty as a wife is to work towards making our marriage work instead of considering the wicked plots of people.

Besides, he is very handsome, having those captivating and mesmerizing features that could get any woman vying and driveling over him.

I am sure he will make a better husband.

He is unlike most men and kings, very gentle and polite in speaking. How could he be evil? For someone to be evil, he or she has to look brutal, arrogant, and merciless, but he looked just meek.

Wait! Am I actually comparing him with other men? Huh? I am even thinking about him. I felt hot blushes flush my cheeks.

I looked around, I didn’t see him in the hall or any representative from his kingdom. Why is he not in the hall yet?

The king grabbed the attention of all by gently striking the glass up on his hands. The guests turned their heads from me to him.

“Our in-laws are yet to arrive,” he addressed, filling up a golden cup with wine. He raised it to the guests. “In their absence, to my third...” he shrugged. “to the blessed marriage of Princess Rosia Katherine, the third princess.”

The guests returned him a response by also raising their cups. Immediately, the clasping sound of glasses against glasses filled the air.

“The ceremony should begin. Thank you all for coming. Enjoy yourselves. ” He spoke with the essence of a king.

The people clapped, the musicians began to play their instruments and the dancers started dancing again while most of the guests went back to discussing amongst themselves.

I am celebrating my marriage without my husband present. That's awful, very awful as it sounds. I looked down at my hands, nervously rubbing them together. And all of a sudden, the entrance door flew open and an old lady’s voice panted in.

The guests all gasped, looking startled including me.

“My king, they’re here,” the lady sang on. I saw it was Irene.

Irene. What’s she doing here? And who is here? Is it the groom and his people?

“Our in-laws are definitely going to be here, woman,” the king said, showing that he is pleased.

“They are here, my king... they are... re,” Irene kept panting, still struggling to hold her breath. She seems to have run a mile.

“You are insane, Lady.” The king drawled. Looking away from her, he addressed the guests who stood beside themselves, confused and befuddled.

“Ladies and gentlemen, do not worry, nothing has happened. I am pleased to announce to you that our in-laws are on their way. ” He explained.

“No, your Majesty!” Irene disagreed with the king politely. I wondered what she had to say, but I prayed she wouldn't get on the king’s nerves.

“Guards!” Queen Aurora took charge. “Take this woman out of here,” she ordered, her voice evidently intolerant.

“Your Majesty, please hear me out!” Irene kept asking as the guards were dragging her out of the hall.

The king signaled for them to leave her. They obeyed him immediately, without reluctance.

“Who is here, Lady?” the king asked, his voice soft but carrying an authority.

Irene got herself together before answering, her face still looking very troubled. “The soldiers of Baldamon have surrounded the palace,” she finally said. My heart abruptly slowed and stopped beating for real.

Soldiers of the kingdom of Baldamon, our greatest enemies, surrounding the palace? Oh no! They've finally come to carry out their threats on the day of my marriage? This isn't good. My heart started beating again. This time it was banging behind my chest.