Chapter 81

I stared at the fork before me with trepidation. Lifting it according to etiquette. I dropped it.

The loud clatter of it bouncing against the fine China made me cringe and I glanced up at the fine gentleman before me, who barely looked at me. He drank and eat facing the side and looked beyond bored.

That didn't fool me.

The way his spoon occasionally bended from the force he applied didn't get passed me.

We hadn't even spoken aside from the greetings…

To think there would be a task like this. Each of us were required to spend a certain time of the day with him. I landed on lunch. The whole hour…

It would have been better better if it had been in his study while he was doing paperwork or whatever he does in there.

I glanced at the clock behind him for the umpteenth time and grimaced.

It had only been a quarter of an hour. I knew sitting in silence would only drag the time and so with much confidence I spoke up.

"The weather is quite pleasant today" I commented with a subtle glance towards the window.

He didn't even look my way as he gave a grunt as a reply.

That was it.

I looked at him in defeat, soaking in his silky locks and the way his lashes curled on his cheeks. The more I stared the more details I took in. He had a small beauty mark on the rim of his ear. Minuscule, but it caught my eye. It was unfair that he was so attractive.

I realised I was staring but I didn't bother stopping. Looking at his hands and noting the largeness of them. He suddenly settled his cutlery and cleared his throat.

"What is it?" The sharpness of his tone made my eyes shoot to his face. He still wasn't looking at me.

I found it laughable that my insistent staring was the only thing that caught his attention. I wondered if I continued to stare he might actually look my way.

"You look good this morning" I carelessly spoke and then realising the misinterpretation I flushed and began to defend my words, "I- I mean"-

He stood up abruptly. His chair screeching at the suddenness and I tensed. I thought he would say something but instead he turned away and began marching for the door.

"Your highness you are required to sit the rest of your lunch for examination purposes!" I heard his aid say from outside of the room. "If you leave we'll have to call a stand in".

"So be it". The cold voice cut through the door separating us.

I hated how my lip quivered at his immediate rejection. I didn't even want this so why do I have to go through all this?

I hadn't expected a voice from the hallway to offer to take the princes place.

"Might I offer to take the princes place?"

I didn't recognise the voice at all. Only that it was a man's and he sounded quite mature. Not old, but not quite young.

"If you could I would be grateful" I heard the aid reply, but his voice didn't rely a grateful tone. He sounded sceptic. As if the one who offered wasn't the type to make a move like this.

"I simply wish for the future princess to be one I approve for our prince".

"I understand. Please go on ahead. We shall put down some fresh food for you".

The door handle turned and opened to reveal someone I hadn't expected to see again. Long platinum hair braided at the ends and striking blue eyes made me blink in disbelief. For once he didn't wear a silly hat so I doubted my eyes.

"Lady Madeline Colter, is it?" He asked and gave a small bow which I hurriedly returned with a curtsy.

"Greeting to the royal advisor, Alexander Willow" I replied with a confirming nod. I noticed the lack of the usual robes, replaced by a long white toga, that exposed an inapropriate amount of a well toned body.

"Apologies i'm not dressed appropriate to my title today, but I was passing by and wanted to personally meet the lady discussed populary among the maids of the palace" He smiled and took a seat. The servants replaced the princes plate with a clean one along with the cutlery and wine.

"It's not a problem at all" I replied stiffly. I wasn't what it was but the way he stared at me made me feel uncomfortable. There was something more behind those blue eyes and I prayed it was simple curiousity. I didn't need to be wary of a Willow as far as i was aware.

"Rumor has it you don't wish to be queen and are simply being dragged along by awful luck" He suddenly said while filling his plate.

I paused at the accusation, fork stopping mid-way as I looked at him carefully. I hadn't been tight-lipped about my lack of appreciation fo being here, but I made sure the public hadn't caught a whiff of my true feelings so how exactly did he get a hold of such information? My mind jumped to Charlotte, but I knew she would never willingly speak to this man. I noted that he was a potential threat.

"I'm not sure who told you such things, but i'd never wish to be anywhere aside from where I am" I found my words feeling as forced as they were. I was already apprenhensive of him so when he snorted I felt a bit humiliated.

"I see. Then let's say you were to be queen, what would be your plans for Grandor?" His entire demeanor changed with a single sentence and I could feel the threat of challenge in the atmposphere between us.