10 The Heir and the Heiress

"I'm glad we finally meet, princess," the corner of his mouth quirked up.

Allyria's face went blank, still trying to process what was going on. Finally, this is the guy she'll marry. His face was unfamiliar to her though, someone she didn't come across with in reading the books given by Professor Nadriel. But he did look princely.

She examined his face. Prince Kaius was a fine-looking man. He had caramel hair swept back in a sleek cut, lustrous as onyx stone. His eyes were dark brown, framed by graceful brows. His skin was a light shade of ash. Aside from that, he had prominent cheek and jaw bones covered with a clean-shaven, short box beard.

If there was one person to describe what a prince actually looked like, Kaius Vansandair would be the perfect example.

Everyone was still staring at her, waiting for her reply. Instead of saying something, a wry smile formed on her lips. The Prince must have noticed the discomfort in her face, so before her parents could realize it, he said his greetings for the last time and turned to her mother and father.

A slow smile worked its way across her mother and father's lips as the Prince approached them. They all said their compliments to each other just like how royals in parties do. Same old script if you'd ask her.

She seemed invisible from their eyes. A relief. At least, no one would force her to do things she'd rather not do. But still, she had to act interested, as were her siblings. So she forced her usual smile, prim and proper, like how her mother taught her.

"Allyria, my dear," the Queen motioned for her to stand alongside them.

When they were done saying their introductions, the Queen ushered them inside the Great Hall. Allyria just tried to smile her way through as they were all preoccupied talking about each other's kingdom—boasting on their riches and successes.

Kaius then joined their conversation and told them what he knew about politics. As what Allyria anticipated, the Queen and King were in awe with his knowledge.

He's an impressive speaker, she could give him that, but it was the least of her concern so she just nudged it off and walked to the corner where her siblings stood when she noticed her mother wasn't guarding her movements anymore.

"They are all boring," she groaned.

"Right," Markolin affirmed and looked at them jokingly with disgust in his eyes.

Nikolai and Vysela suppressed a laugh. If there was someone who could understand her, it's them.

"It's been weeks since we last had classes and training," Allyria said. "I'd rather stay in Professor Nadriel's history class in a day than pretend to enjoy talking to them."

"But History class is hell," Markolin said.

"Then I'd rather die than take History class in a day and talk to them," Allyria stated.

Nikolai chortled, "Blame Vysela's birthday."

"Hey," she hissed, "It's not my fault everyone's busy in the castle for the celebration."

"Well..." Nikolai murmured and glanced at the ceiling, as if thinking. "It's still yours."

Vysela snarled and tried to hit him but he was swift enough to catch her hand.

"Easy there," he said, bursting in a cynical laughter.

Vysela pulled her hand away, "You are all bullies!"

They all laughed at her accusation and looked like they had no intention to stop not until Nikolai froze, "Guys…"

The other three followed where his eyes went and straightened their posture when they saw their mother looking at them with a scornful eye.

"I apologize for their behavior," she overheard her mother talk to King Maximilian, "If you will please excuse me."

King Maximilian just nodded in reply, still laughing at his comrade's jokes or whatever they were talking about. He seemed not to notice the ruckus the young royals created.

The Queen gracefully extended a gentle bow and left his husband with the Vansandairs. When their mother already had their back on the King, her eyes widened in warning and stomped her way towards them, furious.

"What are you doing?" she reproached in a hushed tone, "You're all princesses and princes for god's sake. Act like one!"

They all looked down on the floor, consumed with shame for how they acted.

But who could blame them though? The castle was already a detention center; they wouldn't want to make it feel more like one by acting as prisoners in their own home.

"Go to your rooms or anywhere else in the castle. I don't care. Just stay away from the Vansandairs if you won't do anything good," she ordered.

They were all about to leave the Great Hall until a voice from their mother stopped them at their pace.

"Wait." They all turned to see her.

"Allyria, you stay," her mother glanced to the other three. "The rest of you can go."

Her siblings didn't respond and paused for a moment, looking at her as if asking for permission. She tried to muster a smile but failed when it didn't reach her eyes.

"I'll be fine," she mouthed.

When her siblings were finally out of their sight, she looked up to see her mother who was examining her. Or her dress. She wasn't sure.

Before, she would've ran to her mother's arms in these kinds of situations, settling in the solace her mother always used to give but it was different now, no matter how many times she'd try to regain that love, it was all gone.

Her mother was about to speak when King Averardus suddenly called for her. A feeling of relief washed over her face when she realized she's been saved from her mother's wrath.

"Yes, father?" she scooted past her mother and walked to where he was, barely concealing her delight.

"Why don't you take this gentleman here for a walk, hija?" he placed an arm around Kaius and patted his shoulder.

The smile faded from her face. But before anyone else could see, she quickly brought the corner of her lips back into a strained smile.

'Great. Just Great.'