Chapter 10

At the center of Epiphanteur, in the Palace of Gahnospinel, Princess Dionne sat in the throneroom beside her sisters and parents. Today, she will be formally introduced to houses to which she may be married. This is a regular occurrence in the palace. Every day, she must sit and meet her suitors. Today's the first time after her confinement.

"Smile," her mother reminds her, "You're happy to be here, Dionne. You're the only one in the world with this many visitors."

"She would rather be confined once again than to be fawned over by these people, mother," Saisha says, "Can't she take the day off?"

"Nonsense," says the king, "These people have come from long journeys. We won't dismiss them."

Sighing, Dionne presented herself as a princess should—with a bright smile and shimmering eyes.

"Lord Jasper from house Peridot," the pager announced.

A tall man stepped forward. He was dressed in blue and white. He has brown wavy hair and jasper-colored eyes. In his hand was a guitar which he held firmly.

"What's he going to do?" whispered Saisha, "Serenade you?"

Dionne ignored her sister and fixed her attention on the lord. He's quite charming and handsome.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Jasper," she says, meeting his innocent gaze.

The lord smiled at her, putting his guitar in place.

"If it pleases you, your grace, I would like to play a song for you," he said.

"But of course," said the princess, gesturing him to begin.

Lord Jasper strummed his instrument with such grace and rhythm. His voice was rather romantic. He's a talented prince with a passion for music indeed.

"I told you he's going to sing," Saisha whispered, annoying her elder sister.

Once the song was finished, Dionne stood, giving him a round of applause.

"That was a very lovely song, Lord Jasper," she says in admiration. "Did you write it yourself?"

The prince smiled, nodding in response.

"I wrote it this morning for you, your grace," he replied, taking a bow.

"And what do you offer the princess?" asked the king. Of course, he had no interest in his talents. He wants to know what the house of Peridot has to offer in exchange for his daughter's hand. The man whom she marries will gain power, but what do they gain in return?

Jasper stood tall and unwavering. He knows the king's favor is in house Heliodor.

"I offer my wealth and fleets," he says firmly, "With the power of my house, you will have an army at sea. We also have lands you might wish to have."

Henrick, the king, nodded in response.

"A generous offer, don't you think, Princess Dionne?" he says, keeping his eyes on the young man.

"I look forward to meeting you again soon, Lord Jasper," Dionne bid him farewell, giving him an invitation to her coming-of-age ceremony.

Jasper gave one last bow and let the next candidate come in.

"Viscount Nicholas of house Rossmanite," announced the pager, "He's the warrior who scattered the rebels who attempted to invade the palace."

A redhead came forth looking confident. He had a pair of green eyes that looked like jade and a body fit for a knight. He was completely stunning.

"A pleasure to meet you, princess," he says, bowing. "I see that you truly are a goddess living among us; the rumors are true."

"Your words are just flattery," said the princess, "Tell me something about your house, my lord." Words of flattery won't win the princess' heart at all; it's skill, power, and intellect. Her decision will base on how much they could give her.

"My house is known for its ability to wield magic," he explains, "We can help you with sorcery. This offer isn't something anyone can give you." That's right. The house of Rossmanite is known for its natural ability to wield magic. This offer is far more valuable than most.

"Impressive," Dionne says, looking more interested. "But you've forgotten that my mother's line also has the ability to wield magic. The magic we have in fact is far more superior to yours."

Nicholas smirked. He's intrigued now. The princess might not remember it, but they've met before. Back then she was only thirteen. He's amused at how much she's changed.

"My my my, princess," he says, "You really are something else, aren't you? It's no question that every man falls to their feet for you. You're not like most ladies."

Dionne arched her brow.

Does he really think I'll fall for his flattery? she asked herself, folding her arms over her chest.

"My lord," she says, "I'll see you soon." She handed him an invitation and went back to her seat quickly.

The meeting went on with her bored to death. Not a single person presented to her caught her attention since Jasper and Nicholas. Everyone else seemed like a bore and so were their offerings.

Finally, the last person was announced by the pager. "Lord Clarence of house Hiddenite," says the pager, "He came from the country of the United Crystals."

Another tall redhead came forth. He looked very princely and noble. He possessed a pair of emerald-colored eyes hiding beneath a pair of silver glasses. His features were angelic and pure oppose to the very masculine looks of Nicholas.

"I'm from across the world, your grace," he says in such a respectful tone. "I'm Lord Clarence. My house is the strongest in my country."

Princess Dionne smiled. She always found herself fascinated by the country of United Crystals. It's one of the places she ought to visit. This country is one of the most powerful in the world.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she says, "I must say, Lord Clarence, you look rather tired. Could it be that you just arrived today?"

Clarence nodded in response. "Is it that obvious?" he smiled sheepishly, "Yes, I just arrived. I wanted to meet you as soon as I came. Forgive me if my appearance is quite ragged."

"Not at all," she says, smiling. "I am flattered," she says, "I would like to get to know you more and hear stories of your country. So, here's an invitation to my party. I shall count on your attendance."

Clarence smiled triumphantly. "You can count on it!" he smiled, accepting the invite.

This was easier than I thought, he tells himself. Before he could say anything more, a messenger entered the room looking quite exhausted. He wore the colors of house Nifontovite.

"My princess," the messenger greets, still trying to catch his breath. "I have a message for you from the Prince of Nifontovite."

Everyone's attention shifted to him at the mention of the prince. Every man heard rumors of Andreas' relations with the princess. He's the greatest threat among them.

Dionne's face shifted from bored to excited. Putting a smile on her face, she went to accept the message from the messenger.

"This is from Prince Andreas?" she asked, taking the letter, "You came here rather abruptly. Is something the matter?"

The messenger bowed in response. "The letter is confidential, your majesty," he says, "The prince asked me to deliver it to you directly." With that said, he took one final bow and exited the room.

The princess curtsied to everyone before her, saying, "Now that the meeting's over, I shall take my leave. Should you need my presence, you can reach out to my secretary and file an appointment." The princess left in a rush to her chambers, eager to find out what the fuss was all about. Why did Andreas send this so urgently?

Before she had the chance to open the letter, her lady Evianna came in out of breath. "Your highness," she says, "Princess Haze just arrived, and she requires an audience with you!"

Princess Haze of Kovdorskite is her closest friend and ally in her house. She's a blonde princess with enchanting lavender eyes—a trait only the purest of Kovdorskites have. Her people are known as beast tamers. They can tame any magical being; even dragons—her favorite pet.

Before Dionne could reply, Haze was already at her door making an entrance.

"Your better half has just arrived," Haze said, bowing like a gentleman.

Dionne ran happily to her, giving her a tight embrace. The last time they've seen each other was at Haze's sixteenth birthday celebration earlier this year.

"It's been a while, Haze," she says, pulling back. Taking a good look at her friend, she looked absolutely stunning as always.

"I was there, you know," Haze tells her, "I was there watching you meet your suitors. I want to tell you how disgusted I am! How do you even put up with that? Every person in that meeting was absolute rubbish!" The disgust was evident on Haze's face. She's not one to hide her feelings. She likes to be loud and badass oppose to Dionne who's more cautious.

"Don't tell me you liked any of those men," she stuck her tongue out.

Dionne would love to see how she'd react when it's her turn to find a husband. That's one show she'd pay to see.

Laughing, she shook her head in response.

"No," she says, "Actually, none of them seem fit. But there was Jasper who seemed rather romantic. I quite fancy his personality, but his offer is still to be considered."

"Jasper?" Haze arched a brow. "The one who plays the guitar?"

A small smile crept up her lips making Dionne grin.

"Well, well, well," Dionne applauds, "That smile on your face tells me that you fancy Jasper. Do you?"

Haze scrunched her face in disgust.

"Gross," she says, "No way." She made her way to Dionne's bed, slumping on it.

"What I want to know is the mystery letter you received from the prince of Nifontovite," she says smirking, "I heard the gossip surrounding the both of you and decided to come here right away. Spill the tea, Dionne."

Dionne knew that she was going to spill the tea. There's no lying to Haze. She's too smart of a girl to not realize things.

"Well," Dionne began, taking a seat next to her, "The prince and I are courting, but it's not what you think. The relationship he and I have is rather beneficial than romantic. My parents want me to seduce him and take everything from him. After that, they want to wage war against his realm."

"Damn," Haze says, "So you mean to tell me that you're in a fake relationship with Andreas?"

Dionne nodded in response. "Yes, I am," she says, "We don't want war. If my family decides to go to war, he has a lot of allies still. His allies will come to his aid and the war could last for decades. I don't want to deal with that and neither does he." She continued explaining the situation to her best friend until she had sufficient knowledge as to what was happening.

Haze sighed, thinking deeply.

"Dionne, isn't Andreas the prince you told me about a few years ago?" she asked, scratching her head. "Has he changed and can you trust him?"

"Of course," Dionne nodded, "He proved himself anyway. My main problem right now is finding a suitable match. Since you're the expert, why don't you help me find one?"

Haze grinned, flashing her perfectly white teeth.

"Of course," she says, "But open the letter! I am curious to read what he wrote you."

Dionne opened the letter, reading its contents aloud.

This is it? I thought it was urgent news, she thought feeling slightly embarrassed for him.

Haze sweatdropped, feeling very embarrassed.

What a wimp, she thought, scratching her head.

"I thought it was something urgent," she says, "He just wants your advice as a friend. What is your advice, Dionne? I suppose if he chooses to find a bride, then your plans may become a waste."

Haze's knowledge of the relations between the Gahnospinels and the Nifontovite is wide. The two kingdoms have been rivals dated three centuries ago. They've been civil with each other, but not once have they been allies. Andreas' advances are the Nifontovite's first act of peace and goodwill.

Dionne was deep in thought, unable to find a reply for Haze.

Haze then continued to say, "Why don't you two tie the knot? Marriage is a political alliance, and both your lines are great and powerful! Not to mention the obvious fact that your union will end the war that's threatening to break."

Dionne's face turned red at the mention of marriage.

"Never in a million years, Haze," she says, slapping Haze's shoulder. "Why would you even suggest that? You know how much he infuriates me!"

Haze laughed hysterically.

"From what you told me, it seems like you're both in denial," she says, "And it's an obvious solution. Surely both of you thought of it at some point."

"I'll admit," Dionne says, still blushing, "I have thought about it, and the outcome I foresaw is Andreas and I murdering each other."

"Alright," Haze dropped the matter, "I'll help you find a boyfriend. You're lucky you're named the fairest; you won't run out of men."

Was it luck though? Because to Dionne, sometimes—just sometimes—it feels more like a curse. The burden is a heavy one. The price of beauty is higher than its privileges.