Chapter 1: The Prince

[Vereena]

The sun had finally ventured right under the horizon, blanketing the moonless sky with its scintillating glittery stars. The soft crackling fire from the blazing hearth resounded in the background, totting up the tranquility inside the chamber.

"Lady Vereena, your father has arrived."

Upon hearing Mrs. Charlotte's voice—the governess in our house, I immediately stiffened, my head whirling towards the consecutive three beating on my door. Brimming excitement had filled me inside soon as she announced the return of my beloved father from his voyage.

"Coming down in a bit," I responded, lowering the book that my nose had been buried in for the past few days. I set it aside on my bedside table, near the candelabrum, and hopped off my bed.

I fixed the layers of my skirts—which I thankfully hadn't changed to my nightdress yet and adjusted the corset of my sunny yellow dress before I swings the door open, seeing Mrs. Charlotte standing right at the side of the foyer, patiently waiting for me.

"Lord Admiral is in the dining Miss, waiting for you along with someone he would like you to meet," she dipped her head lowly right after informing me where my father's whereabouts at the moment.

With someone? Her statement struck me a bit. My brows dipped lightly, puzzled at the thought of whom it might be. I already have some snippets of ideas however, I immediately disregarded them and followed Mrs. Charlotte as she ushered me leading to the dining hall. I couldn't help but beam with happiness knowing that after how many moons had passed he had come home, alive.

I've always feared that he might, one day return to me inside a box with a note informing me that he had perished in this world, leaving me entirely alone. I was a breached baby and I lost my mother upon delivering me into this world. Ever since then, my father filled me up with stories of her every night till I turned six. When King Hanry requested his assistance soon as the wide spreading of piracy became a menace to our lands. Stealing and killing, leaving nothing but fray.

Now, though, I am thrilled that he has finally returned home. If only I could run and crossed the foyer at a much faster pace, I would have already done it. Yet that would be very unladylike behavior and most probably distorts Mrs. Charlotte's face into a perpetual scowl. I don't want to give the woman who nursed me since I was young a hard time, so instead, I folded my hands right in front of me and walked with grace, breathing in shallows as giddiness thrummed in my veins, enlivened to see my father's faring.

"Ah, there she is. My pride and joy," his voice greeted us as soon as we cleared through the dining hall's entryway.

"Father," hastening my pace, I gasp delightedly on finally seeing his face, almost leaping on my feet to meet him halfway, turning to his embrace and feeling the familiar warmth.

"I miss you," I whispered softly wounding my arms around his neck and planting a chaste kiss on his cheek, heedless to his beard tickling my lips. He smells of sea salt and ocean breeze. A very nostalgic scent I adore of him.

"I miss you too, my precious little dove," he said, slowly letting go of our embrace and caressing my face with his knuckles.

"I believed, I am not too little anymore," I tittered, taking a gander at his face, noting the few more wrinkles adding upon his forehead and the laugh lines bracketing at the corner of his mouth. The sandy white hairs almost occupied his entire head, brows, and beard. He's getting older, but the briskness of his stature had never dimmed.

He merely laughed at my statement and shook his head as he escorted me to the table, where I noticed someone standing right behind us, patiently waiting.

A very handsome blonde-hair man. I fought not to ogle at him and made fool of myself as I waited for my father to introduce me to him.

"Ah, I almost forgot," my father exclaimed, letting go of his hold on my back as moved towards the person that caught my attention. "Prince Tarquin, I believed you have yet to meet my daughter, Lady Vereena Braxton."

Prince? The Crowned Prince? Father had brought home the Prince of Ebondale? The heir to the throne? Oh heavens. I was literally nailed to my feet and starting to hyperventilate, though I tried my best to remain calm and composed as Prince Tarquin steps forward.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lady Vereena," he flashes me a gentle smile, dipping courtly his head. He then takes my hand, bringing it up to his lips and kissing the back of my palm.

I am shaking my wits off at his presence, but as a lady, I am schooled to know when to smile, when to speak, and when to extend courtesies. I forced to bend my knees gracefully, bowing low before I turn my gaze to meet his majesty's sparkling blue eyes.

"The pleasure is all mine, Your Grace," I softly said as he slowly lowered my hand, releasing his hold.

My heart is beating wildly inside my chest. This had been the first time I have been presented with someone directly related to the throne. Although I had been with the court of houses on numerous occasions, attending tea parties with other highborn daughters, I had never met anyone from the castle, let alone the prince himself. I have only known him by his name and not his visage.

"Prince Tarquin will be staying here with us for a week till the banquet for your engagement," my father suddenly interrupted between our trance, clearing his throat as he clapped his hand, calling for the servants to plate out our dinner as he motioned for us to take our seats. However, there's only one thing that quipped my very attention, muddling my head for a moment thinking if I had heard it wrong.

"Pardon me father, our what?" I catechize aloud in befuddlement with the statement he recently voiced. Both he and Prince Tarquin halted on their steps, turning their attention back to mine after they have exchanged some knowingly looks.

"Oh, skies, years had rendered me rather forgetful," he throws one hand on his head as he let out a peal of boisterous laughter.

"Come my little dove, there's an important matter we have to discuss about," he came back on his steps and clasps his fingers around my arm, steering me clear toward my seat, pulling the chair out and pressing my shoulders down as I roosted myself in front of the table.

"I have talked with the King and he humbly asks for your hands for the crowned prince to marry, and I delightedly agreed. You have already come of age my little dove, I deemed that it is time for you to settle down and there's only one place worth for you, my dear…" he trailed off his statement, ending it with a wink as he rounded towards the end of the table and eased himself on his seat, clasping both his hands, propping them on top before him as he bore his gaze on mine.

The palace. If I were to marry the prince, I will reside within the palace's walled enclosure.

My attention went to Prince Tarquin as he took the chair directly adjacent to mine, sparing me a glance. Suddenly, two pairs of intense stares landed on my face.

My mind suddenly became distorted for a moment, digesting each word that my father had said. Since I was a child, I have been promised that I will soon marry a prominent man whose name will replace mine and will bring honor to our family.

As the lady of our house, I am aware of society's expectations that have been placed upon me and the rules that I must adhere to. House MacGhille had been one of the strong families descended for centuries, and joining its name with the royals will only solidify its power. It will mark yet another milestone in our family's prestige and status.

This was my father's dream for me ever since I was little. There's no reason for me to object, nor reject this betrothal. He was doing it to ensure my future and set me in place on top of society.

I have read many stories about love. How it feels like for someone to find the one destined for them. I wanted to experience that too, but in the world that I live in, I don't get the chance to choose who I will marry in the future. Mrs. Charlotte had told me stories about my father and my mother, detailing how they fell in love with one another. She said that it wasn't easy and the both of them had a rough start getting well with each other's presence, but eventually, fate intervened in their marriage and blessed them with a child.

Me.

Perhaps, the prince and I will have a similar love story to that of my parents. He seemed nice and gentlemen, handsome even, and if my assumptions will serve me right, then this union might not be difficult for us to adjust to one another.

I do hope so.

"If you say so, father," I humbly agreed, smiling toward the crowned prince.

My soon-to-be husband.