13

"How could you do this to me? What did I ever do to you?" Fiona yelled in my face as I massaged my aching cheeks. I did a breathing exercise to help keep my anger in check while reminding myself that she has every right to be angry at me right now after what I did.

Seeing tears well up in her eyes tugged something in me that I immediately regretted my action. If the almighty Fiona is crying in front of me, that means this meant a lot to her, or maybe she is hurt because for once in her life, she didn't get what she wanted.

I am just joking, haha.

Fiona, hurt? Never.

She is a spoilt brat who is used to having everything at her beck and call without having to work for it, which was why when her father tried to make her prove her worth by declaring her the only eligible Princess, the first thing she did was to come to me to do the work for her, which I am glad for.

Looking into her eyes, I saw a familiar look in her eyes; that look she has any time she wants to throw a tantrum when things don't go her way. I need to tread carefully so that my efforts won't turn to waste.

"Did you lose your mind or something to think you could backstab me?"

"Fiona, listen to me. First of all, I am sorry. I didn't mean for things to happen this way, but I didn't have any choice."

"You didn't have any choice? What does that even mean?"

"The beast is in this kingdom!" I blurted,

Her brows furrowed before it slightly widened, "How do you know this?"

"I overheard some men talking about it earlier,"

"I don't believe you! Why are you making things up now?"

"Why would I do that? We are talking about something I have devoted half of my life to."

We glared at each other before she raised one of her brows in a questioning manner, "Okay, if the beast is in this Kingdom, how does that justify your betrayal?"

"I want to help the prince find it. You know how much this means to me."

"That still doesn't change anything. If I had married the prince, I would have still helped you!"

I almost scoffed at her claims. There is no way she would have even remembered our agreement if she had succeeded tonight, but there is no way I am saying that to her face. "I know you would have helped, but I had a rethink. You helping me and me doing it myself are two different things. I won't achieve the satisfaction my heart desires."

Her nose flared, "Have you always been this greedy?"

I almost screamed at the top of my lungs as she wasn't ready to reason with me. Time to bring out my pity card. "Probably. Can you for once put yourself in my shoes? What would you do if Uncle Zaius had been the one killed right in front of you? How will you feel seeing a beast tear your beloved father apart like a condemned beef?"

She looked at me for a few minutes before gulping and looking away. I continued,

"Fiona, you of all people should know that marriage is the last thing on my mind,"

"That was why I chose you for the task!" I looked at her quizzically as her words didn't make any sense to me. Before I could ask her anything, she let out a dry laugh, "You really think I am stupid, don't you?"

"I would appreciate it if you go straight to the point."

A pompous smirk settled on her lips, " Did you think I chose you because of how talented you are? Well, unfortunately, that is one of the reasons, but use your head. Since we were little you have only fantasised about changing the world in your strange way. You have always liked war and politics-related topics, which is very unladylike. You have always talked about how you will never let yourself get tied down to any man or let any man control you just like other ladies. You have always adored the fantasy of living a free life without being answerable to anyone. You always blabbed about how you will make a name for yourself and end the patriarchy or whatever nonsense you had in mind. The talk of getting married had always repulsed you–"

"Go straight to the point," Her blabbering was starting to irritate me.

"My point is, I thought you were perfect for the task, but I should have known that you were just pretending. You are not different from other girls as I thought you were."

Oh, poor thing, "I don't care what you think of me. All I know is I want to avenge my father's death. Once that is done, I am also done. You can have the prince all to yourself. For once, I want to be normal. I want to close my eyes and not see images of my father lying in his blood. Do you get me? I want my life back! I want to be normal again like every other girl out there."

After a few seconds, she rolled her eyes, "You could have fooled me,"

I smiled at her. What was I expecting? This is a girl whose parents are somewhere in the castle, probably enjoying a pot of tea. She doesn't know what it means to lose a parent, but I do. I have been there. "All I am asking is for you to be patient. You can have him all to yourself once I have achieved my goal, okay?"

Should I tell her that she has a rivalry? Nope. Let the best man win while I sit back and get entertained.

"How long is it going to take for you to achieve this goal?" She asked

I pretended to be thinking, "Maybe thirty days or less. But, If we can find the beast before the wedding then I will call it off and go my way." I really hope we find the beast before the wedding, or it will make it harder for me to wriggle free.

"Thirty days? That's a lot of time, but I will wait."

I smiled at her, happy that I calmed the situation, "Good. Now if you may excuse me,"

I was surprised when she suddenly grabbed my hand in a firm grip. With a crazed look in her eyes, she began to speak, "Not so fast! You might have outsmarted me the first time, but don't think I would let it slide the second time you try to play games with me. Thirty days or less. Your words, not mine. It shouldn't be more than that, else I would do something both of us will regret for the rest of our lives. Am I clear?"

I offered her a firm nod of understanding and she released my wrist. She smoothed out her dress and replastered her infamous smile. The smile made her look on top of the world. The smile that made her look… Elegantly royal? That doesn't make sense but it's fine, I will go with it.

I waited for her to leave before I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. This might be more difficult than I had planned— no, let me rephrase that, this might be more difficult than I had thought. Yes, thought is the right word to use because I didn't plan this whole thing very well, and I can't help but feel stupid right now. I should have thought the whole thing through. I had let my emotion get the best of me.

However, what is done is done. I just have to try my best and keep my head on my neck.

Inside the ballroom, I looked around in search of my siblings, Ava in particular, but I didn't see any familiar face.

Maybe they are waiting for me outside.

When I was close to the entrance of the castle I heard someone call my name from behind, causing me to stop in my tracks.

"Princess Gwendolyn!" The person called out again. I turned to come face to face with the man that had done the big announcement, Emmanuella's brother.

His smile nearly blinded me and I had to squint my eyes. How can a man smile so much? "Milady," He greeted me with a little bow which I returned with what I hoped was a graceful curtsy, "I have been looking for you everywhere."

I couldn't help but stare at him confusedly as I wondered why he was looking for me. "You have been looking for me? For what reason?"

"Your presence has been requested by His Majesty, King Armstrong, the Prince, and your uncle." He announced with the same blinding smile on his face.

"Oh, okay. Please, lead the way,"

"Sure, Milady."

I flashed him a little smile, hoping not to look like what I feel right now. Not wanting to focus on how my heart was rapidly beating in my chest and how my palms quickly got wet after several attempts of drying them on my dress, I decided to make small talk with Princess Emanuella's brother who has been stealing glances. "So…" I looked up to see that I have his attention as I noticed how his eyes twinkled.

"So?" He asked,

"What is the name?"

"My name? You want to know my name?" He pointed at himself for emphasis, leaving me confused as I nodded. "What do I get in return?"

His question threw me off guard, but it had me smiling, "You want something in return for telling me your name?"

He looked at me innocently, his smile less blinding. "Why, is there something wrong with asking for something in return for telling you my name?"

Is this man serious? "Why do you want something?"

"Because the name I am about to tell you is not an ordinary name."

"Hmm, I get it. So, if I were to give you something in return for your name, what would that be?"

His lips tipped further apart, "Fifty gold coins."

"Fifty what?"

"Gold coins?"

"Why do you need fifty gold coins? You are a Prince, are you not?" He gave me a shrug in response. "I mean, it is just a name. I think I will stick to calling you Mr stranger."

"Just a name? Who told you it is just a name? Do you know how rare my name is? Do you know who I am?"

"That is a lot of questions. Who are you, by the way?" I asked out of curiosity. He suddenly stopped walking causing me to do the same. "Eh, why did you stop walking?"

"Did you just ask me that?" He took threatening steps towards me and in my defence, I moved back as my eyes darted towards the guards who acted like nothing is happening. What is he planning to do?

"Eh? Which one are you referring to, Mr no Name?"

In response to my question, he leaned in to be on the same eye level as me, but at a reasonable distance. "Don't call me that."

"How about Mr Prince? Better?" I couldn't help but tease him more.

Before I could even blink I felt a light flick on my forehead, "You smell like trouble."

"I do?"

"Yes, but I like it. You are just what he needs."

"Mm?"

"Nothing, Milady. Let's get going, they are waiting for you."

He straightened up and cleared his throat, regaining his poise posture. Oh, his blinding smile is back.

"Okay,"

Upon reaching a guarded door, he said, "Prince John."

"Prince John?" I couldn't help but repeat the name.

"Yes, I am Prince John, but you can call me John."

I nodded, "Okay, John?"

"Bye, see you soon." With that closing remark, he turned and left with the guards, leaving me with the two guards guarding the door that will either make or mar me.

Though the door is closed, I could still feel the powerful tension from where I am standing outside. Hmm, the idea of running away doesn't sound so bad right now. Before I could implement my plans of running away, the door suddenly opened.

"How long are you planning to keep us waiting, my dear soon-to-be wife?" Came the taunting voice of an individual I am not particularly fond of.

Oh, well.