Chapter 5: The Dinner

Tiqa walked down a hallway that had soft gray walls and windows that touched down to the floor all the way up to the ceiling that were covered by dark gray curtains. While Tiqa was walking, she said, "Oh God, why did I run away? He's just so charming, and I was so afraid. Oh God, why did I have to make such a big deal about it? God, I know you led me here for a purpose, but oh God, why did they have to fight over me? God, why did I run away?" Tiqa heard the voice of a woman say, "Tiqa." She turned around to see Ana walking up to her. Tiqa curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, why are you here and not in the ball?" Ana smiled and said, "First call me Auntie Ana, and I will not have you curtsying to me." Tiqa said, "But I thought you always had to curtsy to royals even if you have the title of a royal." Ana said, "No buts start calling me Auntie Ana." Tiqa said, "But your Stephen's aunt, not mine." Ana said, "Hmm, speaking of Stephen, he would really like to introduce you to his family." Tiqa said, "I can't let him introduce me to his family." Ana asked, "Why, don't you want him too?" Tiqa replied, "Of course I do, but I just can't allow it." Ana said, "Child, is something bothering you? What's wrong?" Tiqa said, "Nothings wrong, it's just Stephen is... h

He's different, and I... It's just... I've been in that forest with Driaka for almost 8 years. I've never really interacted with someone like Stephen." Ana asked, "Haven't you seen or met a male other than your father before?" Tiqa replied, "Of course I have. It's just that Stephen is something different, and he interacts with many princesses, ladies in waiting, and noblewomen. I'm just a girl who borrowed a princess title with a little sister who hasn't been outside the forest since she was 3 months old. Not to mention, I've never been a princess before or even held a high title for that matter. I don't know how to act around him... I just can't allow it right now." Ana smiled and said, "Stephen doesn't have to introduce you if you don't feel comfortable, but let me say this you are more well-mannered and princess like then you think." A woman dressed in a gray dress and an apron walked up to them, curtsied, and said, 'Your Majesty, your Highness dinner is being served right now." Queen Ana said, "Thank you." The woman walked away, and Ana said, "Come child, I'm sure King Mark will talk about you to the family at dinner anyways." Queen Ana and Tiqa walked to the dining room. In the dining room, it had a long dark brown table that sat 54 people. On the table were lace placemats and silver plates that had a covering over them, silverware that was wrapped up in white cloth napkins, glasses that had sweet tea in them, and candle holders with candle sticks in them that were lit. Around the table were chairs the same color as the table that were cushioned and had arm rests on them. The colors of the walls in the dining room were light gray and had two windows that were covered by dark gray curtains. There were portraits of the royal family and Crosses on the wall. In the middle of the ceiling was a glass chandelier, and around the ceiling was crown molding. The floors were dark brown, and there was a white rug underneath the table. The room was 3000 square feet. The royal family, ladies in waiting, and Stephen's best friends all sat at the table speaking to one another, Ana and Tiqa walked into the dining room, and Stephen stared at Tiqa King Joshua said, "Nice for you two to join us." Ana said, "Sorry daddy, me and her Highness got held up a bit." Two servants walked up to Tiqa and Ana. One of the servants said, "Come, we'll take you to your chairs." One of the servants escorted Ana to a chair next to Victor, and the other servant escorted Tiqa to a chair next to Stephen. The servants pulled out the chairs, and Ana and Tiqa sat in them. The servants left, and Mark said, "Everyone, I would like to make an announcement." The room went silent, and Mark said, "For all of you who don't know, we have two new visitors in our castle. Driaka and Tiqa. They will be living here and will hold the title of a princess although they are not a part of this family..." Ana interrupted, mumbling, "Yet." Catherine asked, "What was that annoying little sister?" Ana said, "Hmm, what, nothing, I said nothing." Mark said, "As I was saying, Driaka and Tiqa will live here and hold the title of a princess. I hope that we all accept them with open arms as they live here in this castle." Hannah said, "Well, of course we can all accept them." Justine said, "Yeah, especially Driaka she's a sweet little girl." Justin and a group of servants entered the room and bowed. The servants went to different plates that had covered them and stood there. Justin announced, "I hope this food is to the royal family's liking. Tonight, you are having lobster tail, cheddar, mash potatoes, corn on the cob, steak, and to drink sweet tea." The servants uncovered the plates and left. Justin said, "Enjoy the food," and left. Everyone said Grace, and then everyone except Stephen began to eat. Ana looked at Stephen, seeing that he was staring at Tiqa and said, "How's that wife hunt coming along?" Stephen looked at Ana, his face turned red, and he said, "Well, uh ah... Hmm, the food looks good." Stephen began to eat, and Gia said, "When is my older brother going to find himself a wife?" Stephen said, "Emm, the food is just great. Justin did a great job." Justine said, "Yeah, when is my 21 year old brother going to find a wife? You know I married Adam at 20, and Hannah, Samantha, and Alice got married at 20 as well." Rachel interrupted, saying, "And I married Tony at 19, and Linda got married at 19 too." Ruth added, "And me, Brianna, Gina, Gia, and Lisa all got married at 18." Stephen said, "That's because God led you to who you were going to marry at those times." Ava said, "You know Stephen, they have a point. All of my granddaughters have someone to marry, and you are the only one who has yet to find someone." Ana said, "Okay, okay, let's lay off Stephen for right now. He will get married in his own time." Amanda said, "But they do have a point! Even Susan is betrothed, and she's 9. Stephen, you're going to be ruling this kingdom, and you haven't gotten anyone to marry. I mean, when I was 17, I knew who I was going to marry and was married on my birthday that next year to Simon, the man of my dreams. We are having kids now." Hannah said, "You know time is ticking." Stephen said, "I'll marry on God's time and not my own. The difference between me and all of you is God's timing. What was a perfect age for you to get married wasn't for me. God wants me to hold out for who He has in mind, and she is worth the wait. I can't go against Him it won't end well if I do. I would rather be married at 40 to a woman that God had for me than jump at a random woman and be miserable for my whole life. When I get married, it will be the most beautiful, wonderful, kindest, sweetest woman you've ever met, and I'll be happy because God knows what's best. Let's all just let me wait and not force a marriage that I'm clearly not ready for. Now the food is great its good food. Can we please focus on that instead of me getting married?" His sisters said, "Fine," and Ava said, "You're right, Stephen. You need to wait on God, and it's good that you've stuck to it." Hope said, "Speaking of marriage, Princess Tiqa, how old are you, my dear?" Tiqa said, "Oh me, I'm 19." Hope said, "Hmm, 19 years old, have you found a suitor yet?" Tiqa's face turned red, and she answered, "Uh well, um, no." Ava said, "Really child? Why haven't you found anyone? You're a very beautiful girl. You should have a suitor by now." Tiqa looked down, and Cedar said, "Yeah Tiqa, you must have millions of suitors. You're a very beautiful girl." Tiqa said, "Th-Thank you... But I..." Justine interrupted, saying, "You have such a rare beauty, Tiqa. You must've turned down a lot of men to not have a suitor." Brianna said, "Yeah, I've never seen a girl with such beauty still single." Driaka said, "Well, me and Tiqa used to live in a forest until today, but she'll find her prince charming. She's been Praying for him, and God will do what's best." Tiqa's face turned red, and Samuel said, "You Pray for your husband?" Tiqa said, "Yes, I do Pray for him." A soft smile came to Stephen and Ana's faces, and Mike said, "Maybe I should do that too." Amanda chuckled and said, "Yep, you sure should." Catherine said, "That's great that you Pray for him." Rose said, "That's always a great thing to Pray for your husband and for men to Pray for their wives. God will lead you to them. Just wait on The Lord." Nina said, "Well, I'm sure you'll catch the eye of a prince very soon." Ana said, "Yes, very, VERY soon..." Catherine chuckled and said, "What's that supposed to mean Ana?" Ana said, "Oh nothing at all, just saying Tiqa is beautiful and will catch the eye of a prince very soon, that's all." Tiqa said, "Well, thanks for the compliments. I hope to just find someone to love." Rose said, "Well, who God has for you, you'll know, and it will be a great marriage." Ana said, "Yes, just a beautiful marriage."

2 hours passed, dinner was over, and everyone went home.

3 servant girls entered the dining room, and Cathrine said, "Well, that was a great dinner." Mark said, "Yes, a very great dinner. Now Susan and Jenessa, it's time for bed." Susan said, "Awe papa! Can't I stay up a bit longer?" Mark said, "No, but it's bedtime." Tiqa said, "And it's time for you to be getting to bed too, Driaka." Driaka said, "Awe, do I have to?" Tiqa said, "Yes, you have to. You'll be tired in the morning if you don't." Driaka said, "Okay," and whispered in Susan's ear. Susan said, "Oh, Papa, can Jenessa and Driaka please, please, please sleep in my room tonight? It'll be a sleepover." Mark said, "Okay, but let Driaka get settled into her room first." Susan, Driaka, and Jenessa said, "Yay." Catherine said, "Alright girls, now it's bedtime. One of the servants will escort you to your room, Driaka." One of the servants curtsied and said, "Follow me, Princess Driaka, and I'll show you to your room." Driaka, Susan, and Jenessa followed the servant, and Susan mumbled, "We can sneak snacks into my room." Catherine yelled, "And there better not be any funny business!" The girls giggled and left the room with the servant. Mark said, "Now Cedar and Tiqa, these servants will take you two to your rooms." Cedar chuckled and said, "Awe, you didn't have to get a servant for me. I practically lived here my whole life. I know all the rooms." Catherine chuckled and said, "Yeah, that's why we have a servant escorting you to a new room." Cedar asked, "What'd I do?" Stephen laughed and said, "You don't remember last time you came over, and we trashed one of the formal rooms with snacks?" Cedar chuckled and said, "Oh yeah, that was great." Catherine said, "Not to mention you left the old room you used to sleep in as a pigsty." Cedar said, "Hey, I blame the servants for that one. I know I had a keep out of room sign up, but how can you trust my room is clean when my bedroom is so close to the kitchen yet so far from the trash?" Stephen laughed and said, "There was a trash can in your room and one in the kitchen. You're just lazy." Mark said, "Well, that's why we have you in a room on the other side of the castle so you won't be tempted with food." Cedar sighed, and Stephen said, "Awe, your food stash is gone." Cedar said, "I mean, I can always call a servant." Catherine said, "You better not dirty up another room and put the keep out of room sign up!" Cedar chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I won't, I'm a changed man. Now good night Queen Catherine, King Mark, Stephen and Princess Tiqa." The servant escorted Cedar to his room, and Tiqa said, "Well, I should be going to bed too. Good night, your Majesty Queen Catherine and your Majesty King Mark." Tiqa looked at Stephen, curtsied, and said, "Good night, your Highness." Stephen's face turned red as a smile came to his face. He bowed and said, "Goo... Goo... Good night, Tiqa Princess. I mean, I meant Tiqa Princess. I mean... ugh... I meant your Highness." A smile came to Tiqa's face, and she followed the servant to her room as Stephen stared at her while she left the room. Mark and Catherine chuckled, and Stephen asked, "What? What did I do?" Catherine said, "Nothing, you were adorable." Stephen's face turned red, and he said, "I'm going to bed." Stephen left to go to bed, and Mark said, "I think our Stephen has found a wife dear." Catherine said, "I think so too. I hope this is the girl we've been Praying for. I believe she is." Mark and Catherine left and went to bed.