CHAPTER 3 : GETTING DOWNTO WORK

As I went down the stairs, my eyes fell on a man whom I had been longing to kill for the past half an hour. He was one of the noblemen who worked around the castle and was the only man with whom I felt comfortable, but times changed.

As I walk up to him, I take hold of one of the swords I kept in there for practice. I put the sword around that guy's neck.

"You have less than five minutes to explain why you decided to betray me, "I said with a bit of angst.

"Well, Your Highness, I have been serving your father rather than you; I don't remember that I devoted my loyalty to you, but I ought to ask or simply beg for forgiveness," he said confidently yet in the most dramatic way possible.

I lowered my sword and looked at him for a minute. "Well, according to the rules you have taught me when a trusted person commits a crime, he or she shall be punished."

"I also taught you to never let your guard down, princess, "he said, snatching my sword from me, putting it around my neck, and getting a hold of my arms and holding them. He was standing behind me. His breath was hot on my neck as he whispered, "But I suppose rules are meant to be broken, especially for someone as charming as you." The tension between us was palpable, and I couldn't deny the thrill of danger that coursed through me.

I groaned in pain. "You're always two steps ahead." He released me and then swung the sword around, which I always found amusing.

"So what color are you thinking of?" "he asked when he looked at the fabrics that were put on the shelves.

"I don't know yet. I want to know about Clovelly. How is it? Have you ever been there?" I asked a question that occurred to me as soon as I read that invitation.

"Oh, I have been there; indeed, Your Highness, the lands of Clovelly are beautiful, so rich in greenery that they leave such a purifying, ennobling impact on the eyes that they may never be forgotten even if one tries to," 'he said, giving a description that excites me, but sadly, the king died last spring, and now his son has been crowned king, which is the reason why they are holding up a ball," he added. " The new king must be eager to showcase the beauty of his kingdom to his subjects and visitors," I remarked, intrigued by the upcoming ball in Clovelly. "It seems like a wonderful opportunity to experience the charm and grandeur of that land firsthand," I thought, considering attending the event.

"But isn't it too early to celebrate or hold up a ball? It has not been long," I said, feeling uneasy. '

"Yes, Your Highness, you are right, but the people need to move on and celebrate their new king," he said emphatically.

I went near the shelves and picked up two fabrics, red and black, and spread them on the table. I laid the black one first, which was made of silk and had a soft touch to it; then I layered a red cloth, which was made out of the net; and then I looked at Orion for an endorsement.

"Isn't that a risky combination, princess?" he laughed.

"Well, it might be worth it, if you know what I mean, sir," I remarked while grinning slyly at him.

"I feel something spicy and dangerous coming up, princess," "he said while raising his hands slightly before winking at me. " I chuckled at his comment, feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of what we were about to create together. With Orion by my side, I knew we could turn any risky combination into a masterpiece.

I laughed at his actions. "Just wait; it is going to be a stunning gown."

"Well, I will leave you to it; is there anything you want me to do?" he asked.

"Yes, can you please call Madam Beryl? She was coming with me, but she got called somewhere, and Hypaxia as well," I prompted him.

Of course, I will send both of the ladies down in an instant." He bowed and went back to his duties.

I sat down on one of the chairs and started tracing the length of the gown. I prepared the laydown model for my gown. It took me half an hour to cut the skirt and separate the bodice. I take the bodice, cut the red lace exactly up to its length, and stitch them both together. As I was stitching them both together, Hypaxia and Madam Beryl came down.

"It looks amazing, your grace, black with red, the perfect hint of spice." "Hypaxia said it slightly louder than I expected, which took me off guard and made me giggle. Madam Beryl smiled approvingly and nodded in agreement. I thanked them both for their kind words and continued working on the gown, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"I have to agree, Your Highness," Madam Beryl said with a spark in her eyes.

"But I cannot complete it with you two; I need " Hypaxia to cut me off.

Hypaxia "I need you to do the shoulder, and, madam Beryl, I am running out of underskirt material. Can you please get me some? We know your Majesty. Let's get it done," she said bluntly while smiling at me. "

''' I was surrounded by limited people, but these limited people were true to me; I did not feel the need to have anyone else around me sometimes. I feel like maybe there is no need for a prince for a happily ever after. I have a beautiful family here, but who doesn't need love and affection from a man you want to spend your life with? I do want to get out of the castle once in a while, "I thought." I pondered the idea of finding love outside the castle walls, wondering if true happiness could be found beyond its confines.

Despite my contentment with my family, a part of me longed for a connection that only a romantic partner could provide.