Chapter 10

The sun was now sinking behind the hills casting a hue of orange and pink into my room. Acacia and Cora had only left moments ago after making sure my stylist styled me to their liking.

The dress I was wearing was made of red satin and had silver gems littering it along with my arms. It fell to the floor nicely to hide my silver heels that wrapped around my ankles. It had a wide neckline and had a low back. Just low enough to still be formal and proper. My blonde hair was in a half up and half down style that was secured with many pins. They stained my lips red and tried to get color into my checks.

I had been pacing the floor but my feet started to hurt so I sat down on the couches in my room. I was bored, I'd rather be at Acacia or Cora's house instead of at this dinner. I heard the doors opened and voices downstairs speaking. My mom's laughter could even be heard from my room. Cyran knocked on my door and opened it. He was wearing his nicest suit with his medals on show.

"It is time to go downstairs," He held his elbow out for me to grab. His face showed no emotion as he leads us to the stairs. He did not even pause at the top and just continued. This made me look down to make sure I would not trip and fall down the stairs.

I could feel the gazes of the people at the door and my parents. I finally looked up at the last step and almost tripped when I saw Christian. I instantly recognized the King, Queen, and Princess standing around the entrance.

I curtsied and bowed my head at the same time Cyran did. My heart was racing that these important guests had been the rulers of our nation. A million questions flowed through my head as to why they were here.

"It's okay you do not have to bow," Queen Amaryllis said with a huge smile on her face, "God, you look so beautiful!" She squealed.

"May, you never told me that she would be this beautiful," She told my mom wiping tears from her eyes. I was confused, I knew that they had a close relationship but this was weird. The last time I ever saw them was my tenth birthday party.

"Because you never asked," My mom said, "how about we take this talk to the dining room." We all followed my mom to the dining room table that we never used. Our finest dining ware was out on the table and candleholders were made of some type of rare metal.

We all took seats with the king and my dad at the ends, I sat between Christian and Cyran and Jameson was across from me. My parents were having fun catching up with King Henry and Queen Amaryllis and Cyran decided to subtly flirt with princess Violette. She was entertaining his antics but they were playing around with each other.

I was determined to ignore Christian so I paid attention to Jameson and his food. I narrowed my eyes as he eyed the bread roll that was on my plate. Knowing him he would only eat the bread rolls, my mom only gave him pasta.

I could feel Christian nudging me with his elbow trying to get my attention. Determined to ignore his presence, I finished my pasta and grabbed my soup spoon to eat my side dish. As I was putting the spoon to my mouth he nudged my elbow again. Irritated I dropped my spoon down and narrowed my eyes at him.

"WHAT," I forced through my teeth. He looked satisfied that I finally decided to acknowledge his presence.

"You are beautiful," he smirked and turned back to drinking his soup. His response caught me off guard, my cheeks heated up. At least the stylist got what they wanted.

I looked down and sipped my soup, covering my smile with the spoon. I looked up to see my mom sending me a smirk. I widened my eyes and looked around the table to see everyone looking at us with amusement.

I looked down in embarrassment, they must have witnessed what happened and were assuming there something that was not there. I played with my fingers in my lap and wanted to disappear into thin air. I did not know why the hormones that I have been controlling so well decided to have a mind of their own.

Christian's hand crept into my lap, chatter had returned and everyone was having a conversation. Even Christian had joined our fathers' conversation about problems in the kingdom.

I looked up a Christian as if to ask him why he had his hand in my lap when his hand took mine. I let out a small squeak of surprise when he placed our joined hands in his lap. His head turned to me as if to tell me to be quiet and he turned back to the conversation.

I was burning red hot, not in embarrassment but fury. Who was this man to tell me to shut my mouth! I put my nails to good use and dug them into his hand and held it there. I watched as he squirmed in his seat and tried to use his other hand to pry my hands off. My grip is iron tight, when I don't want to let go, I won't let go.

My lips quirked up as he was squirming in his seat. I love messing with him. My dad even asked if he was okay and I played along asking if he wanted some water.

"No, I am fine," he cleared his voice. It was huskier than usual and it caused my stomach to flutter. If he thought he could just tell me what to do, he would be fairly mistaken. I clenched my hand for a second not strong enough to draw blood but to rip just a little skin. I winced and I let go satisfied by my work.

He silently nursed his hand and left me alone for the rest of the courses. I claimed this as a victory.

Serena: 1

Christian: 0

After the courses, my dad brought us to the meeting room outside of his study and we all took seats. My dad and King Henry stood at the end, mom and Queen Amaryllis sat at their sides and I sat between Cyran and mom. Princess Violette and Christian sat across from us with Jameson.

Violette looked like a mix of her parents with hair that looked like pure gold and silver eyes. It was a nice and exotic combination. King Henry cleared his throat.

"The reason we have all gathered here today was to announce two somethings of importance," he looked around the room and focused his gaze on Christian. Christian seemed to sit up straighter at his gaze. I felt like everyone knew what he was going to announce and I was the only clueless one.

"Before we continue," my dad scratched his beard, "we would like to say this decision has been put into a lot of thought and consideration." We all nodded at him to continue. He stepped back and let King Henry continue speaking.

"I have decided in just a couple months to step down from my position as King," We all were shocked but let him speak, "and for Christian to be my successor, we have to have to assure the future of the throne." He paused to let what he said sink in.

I almost felt bad for Christian he would have to leave school to make the transition easier and have a bride forced upon him. I hate arranged marriages but it was common in the royal family to have one. They need to make sure the future of the throne to be healthy and powerful. This was another reason why I distanced myself from him, he would be arranged to marry someone when he becomes king. I was going to admit that I was jealous that another girl would be his wife.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts and went back to looking at King Henry wondering why he was telling my family this. This was weird but I could not focus on that because Christian was ignoring me completely. Even when I told him I was not interested, he always glanced at me even if it was for a second. I was so used to feeling his gaze on me, I felt cold without it. He must be preparing himself for the girl he is to marry. Maybe this distance will be good for both of us, we needed to move from each other anyway.

"That brings me to the second matter we are here to discuss," I brought my attention back to King Henry, "Prince Christian Hunter Irvings is now officially engaged to the daughter of Nobleman Dezmosa, Serena Scarlet Dezmosa."

All I remember was me standing up in shock before blacking out.