Pressure

Jolien left the building, the maids had repeatedly tried to get her to have breakfast but that was screwed.

She was on her way to the throne room where her mother and father would be waiting and possibly the Prince of Atlantis too. She scowled at the thought of meeting the so-called Prince. 

She might as well get ready to ditch him before he proposes to get her married. It's not like they ever propose, once royalty wants you they get you but good thing she's also royalty. That gives her the advantage to refuse at least for now.

She was soon at the huge metal doors of the throne room and two guards stood tall at it.

"Your Majesty" their voice resounded before pulling the door open and she got into the room.

"Jolien" It was her father and Jolien bowed before taking another step as long as he recognised her. She had to bow.

"Greetings, Your Majesties" 

"Forget the formalities, come and see the Prince of Atlantis" it was her mother this time and she stifled the hiss that almost left her lips.

"Yes…" she looked up to see a man opposite her, something inches away from her. He was tall and well built.

She walked to him at once. 

'You don't want to keep the Prince waiting' her mother would always say.

"Your Highness" she said but the Prince stopped her from bowing and then she caught a glimpse of his face.

'Not bad'

He was handsome, tall and had the body that every woman would die for. He knew that he looked good, that's why he had been smiling from ear to ear.

Jolien wished that she was driven by his handsomeness like every other girl but she wasn't. She didn't feel anything, not an erratically beating heart or her heart leaping in her chest. She felt nothing at all.

She smiled though.

'You have to always show that you are interested whether you want to be interested or not'

"We can talk outside if you don't mind" he said and she gave a curt nod. Glancing at her mother who seemed to be urging her to do her best and soon they left the hall.

They got to a little garden. The Prince stopped in his tracks and turned to her.

"I've heard so much about you milady," he started. 

'Well that's normal' Jolien had a smile on her face like she's a doll.

"But I will go straight to the point" he added and her smile dropped.

'Had my mother told him that I'm not moved by pleasantries?'

"I want us to get married real quick," he said. 

'You dare not object whatever they say'

She didn't meet his gaze so she wouldn't say the words that she had hidden in the darkest part of her heart.

He took her hand, which was new and surprising.

"You are beautiful and I know you will make a good bride so just accept my proposal and we will be married in a week" he said.

'Am I some kind of property?' Because he made her feel like one.

She got her hands out of his.

"I will have to think about it, Your Highness," she said.

"Forget the formalities, just call me Fred" he said and she almost scoffed.

Why would she call him by his name when she can bet that they would never cross paths again.

She just nodded and kept her head down.

"I can look at your face right?" He said more like a question. 

He reached for her chin and held it, tilting her face to look at his.

He stared at her face for a while before he let go. His eyes wide like saucers. 

'That's the reason why I always bow my head but they all want to see her face' and then the shocked look happens.

"Your eyes" he said and Jolien raised a brow. 

"Your eyes… they… are… mm.. beautiful" he stuttered. 

Seems like his confidence had fallen out of place. Her eyes always win, it's not like they were revolting or ugly. It is just that it was a mistake of both enchanting and intimidating and a closer look makes it seem compelling like being drawn into endless holes.

"Thank you" she said although she knew that a part of what he said was a lie. She waved it off.

"We will talk about everything later" he said and looked at the watch in his hand. It looked like a limited edition. She was not moved by fancy things too. She had seen a lot of that.

"I will leave now, or I will be late" he said and she nodded.

"Sorry I won't be able to see you off, Your Majesty" 

"No problem… I will wait for your reply" he said and with that he was gone.

Jolien sighed after he out of sight but her heart started beating fast again when her mother appeared out of nowhere. 

"Do you always have to scare me?" She asked, adjusting her clothes.

"No… just wanted to make sure that everything went well" her mother said.

"So how was it with the Prince?" 

"The usual mum, I told him that I will think about it"

"What?" Her mum asked.

"You didn't finalise it…"

"By telling him I'm not interested"

"You've got to be joking… you are getting married whether you like it or not, Jolien" Mrs Irene voiced.

"You are not in control of my life"

"I'm in control as long as you are under my roof, young lady," she said.

"I just want what's best for you, please  you just have to follow the tradition and get married" her mother pleaded.

"Forget about everything you ever had and live a happy life"

"That doesn't mean that I will live a happy life, mum" Jolien said.

And in the next second, they heard the sound of trumpets. 

"Seems like your brothers are here" 

"Behave like the Princess you are" Mrs Irene said and pulled her gown to walk away.

"I might as well be a demon for the last time" 

"Wait what?" Before the woman could stop her. Jolien had teleported out of sight.

"Jolien!!!"