Chapter 8 ( something about her, I like her )

The next morning, Ella woke me early preparing me for the day. The game begins that day and I was not ready, but as I said, I don't care, I was not interested in winning, I am here on a mission not to play games

" my lady I want you to put your best at this, you know how important it is to all of us," Ella said

" I don't get why you want me to win so badly, what's in for you," I asked with curiosity in my tone

" do you know how amazing it will be to be a maid to the queen, it's like a dream come true," she said dreamily and I shook my head in disbelief

" Clearly we have different dreams," I said

" you like it or not, you have to win," she said with little authority in her tone

" that is not for you to decide" she was about to say something when a knock on the door interrupted followed by that familiar voice

" Natalia? Are you in"

" It's your father," Ella said and took a few steps back, I wonder why she does that

" my I come in," he asked, I stood up from my sit and replied

" yes" almost immediately the door opened revealing that familiar face who I still can't believe is my father

" I dear Natalia, how are you " pulling me for a hug, I hugged him back

" Hi," I said, still not sure of how to greet my father, so I usually say I when I see him

" did you sleep well? " he asked after breaking the hug and I nodded " that is good to hear " he smiled but the smile faded immediately" I hate to break it to you but am leaving, today "

" Today?" I repeated to be sure of what I heard, I was surprised, not like I cared but it was an unexpected news

" yes today, right now to be exact," he said

" oh "

" An emergency came you, one that needs my urgent presence, so I have to leave as soon as possible"

" Should I worry, " I asked

" no, just focus on the reason you are here, ok " I nodded and he smiled " you will be fine "

" I will?" I replied

" good " he pulled me for another hug, I know nothing about this man called my father but he seems to love me as a real father should love his daughter, which was odd in a way "

" do you want to see me off," he asked

" Forgive me sir but that will be impossible, the event starts in an hour and My lady is not ready yet " Ella Spock with full respect

" that is sad," he said " but this is important, I promise I will return for the final event, ok " I nodded " that is me Princess" hugging me again

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Rowan's POV

All gathered in the hall of the event, I sat by my father's right hand with my sister on the other side, with the crowd surrounding the place leaving an open square where the two ladies sat as well, withing for the event to begin. My father stood up and began to address the crowd, but I didn't listen, it was a speech I have heard over and over again so I wasn't interested. I was interested in that one person, that one lady, Princess Natalia. There was something about her that calls my attention but I could not tell what it was, was it her unexplainable beauty?. Her eyes were hazel in colour, a mix of green and brown that looked more like gold and blue, lovey. her hair was red and wavy and when I got close to her the other night, it smelt like flowers and her skin was white, she looked nothing like her father.

I found it strange when she said she wasn't interested in marrying me, it was unusual, or was it her boldness, I remember the way she responded to my father's comment and he laughed and her strange habits of hiding to eat, I wasn't sure it was a habit. She was different, what was she?

" let the game begin, " My father said out loud and the crowd cheered, he sat down and lean towards me then whispered " after this and you pick a bride, you will have to marry and one I pick " I didn't sound nice as he spoke and I frowned, my father badly wants me to get married, he believes a king needs a queen to give him heir before he is called a king, my father always believed I was weak, that I wasn't fit to be king, he wanted to put me in order before he dies only then will he be certain that Bengland will in good shape and I have no choice

" Today " Mr Alvin, the event organiser began " the both of you do a small competition on embroidery and painting" the moment Alvin said those words, Princess Natalia was shocked, no one noticed but I did and I wondered why she was shocked, couldn't she embroider or paint, I watch her whisper something to her self and she became calm, at that point, I became interested in the event

" and each is 5 points. Your embroidery materials will be given to you and we shall begin in five minutes" their materials needed were provided " you have an hour " then it began, the time was too short, I knew that but what can I say. I watch Princess Natalia struggle with her needle and I found it fascinating, was it possible that a Princess couldn't, I wanted to go stand next to her and see what she doing but I couldn't, it will be inappropriate, I saw Malisa gave a satisfied smile whenever she looked at Natalia's work, which was disgusting. An hour ended quickly and they stopped. their work was presented to the crowd and I had no idea what Natalia did, it was a strange-looking shape and no one dared to laugh. My father as well could not comprehend, and Malisa on the other hand did her heart

" so lady Malisa, tell us what you did, " Alvin asked and she smiled brightly

" yes, I made a heart it is a sign of love," she said and my father nodded, he asked for the piece of cloth, and it was brought to him

" lovely," he said as she studied it

" my lord my I, " Mailsa asked for permission to speak

" go on " he granted her permission

" I will like to give that handkerchief to the prince " she looked at me as she spoke and I smiled, not to be rude, she was my cousin after all, " to show my love " I got irritated, my father looked at me expecting me to say something and I frowned a little, the collect the handkerchief

" This is a gift, so I have to accept it " clapping sounds filled the room and she smiled proudly. My father raised his hand and we were taken by silence, our attention was drawn to Natalia who looked confident

" And lady Natalia, can you explain what you did " she looked at the crowd and took a deep breath

"My lord, that is a rib " I raised an eyebrow showing so much interest and I wasn't the only one

" A rib? " my father questioned

" yes my lord, it is the bone extending from the spine towards the sternum" she explained using her body to demonstrate

" and why have you done a rib ?" He asked again

" that is the rib on the left side, My lord, it is the closest thing to the heart, a love sign is not the only thing that represents love, that rib also represents love " she explained and I began to hear whispering from the crowd

" bring it to me," My father said and it was brought to him " Amazing," he said as he admires the work and then he asked " and who would you like to give this to " as my father asked, she was quite for a long time, then she finally said

" Amila, I will like to give this to Princess Amila, to show my love as a friend," she said and I saw the joy in Amila's face as she accepted it while the crowd clapped

" 5 points for both ladies " Alvin announced and I saw Natalia smiling, as she smiled her eyes glowed and I found myself smiling as well

The moment her eyes fell on me our smile faded, immediately she looked away, she was strange, I like her