Announcement

There has been small talks and laughter as the dinner progresses. My father always makes moments like this special for everyone, and right now he is just a father and a husband. Standing nearby are a few maids, Tobias the butler and of course, George the cook who's describing every meal he serves us, it is what he always does whenever we are with the king. He's been the palace cook as long as I can remember and the grey hair in his head is a testament of his age, definitely older than the king.

"George thankyou for the delicious meals you made for us", I decided to use my chance when George came to clear the table after our main course. "I think I ate a lot", I smile

" Am glad you enjoyed it, my lady", he replies returning the smile with a nod. Eating too much food as a girl does not sit well with my mother.

"If I continue eating like today am going to gain weight", I continue, the smile never leaving my face making sure my mother takes note of the words.

"Perhaps you can sit out the dessert my dear", oh finally, she replies taking a glass of wine to her lips. Her piercing gaze settling on me, displaying no emotions as usual. 

"I think a small ride with the horse will help accelerate the digestion?"

My stepmother's hand comes to rest on my shoulder and turn to my right with pleading eyes, begging her not to say anything. She understands me better and knows I didn't eat a lot. She is sitting next to me on my right, while the queen is next to Laurel opposite of us. Sebastian who is on my left holds my knee to provide support.

"I support you on that, too much weight won't look good on you", he says and everyone looks at us expecting me to be mad at him. It is what we do; fight all the time not physically though nowadays but with words and expressions. But even though we fight, we are inseparable and we do most things together. We support each other against Humphrey and Theodore, Laurel is always calm and does not allow her emotions to spill all over the place.

"Am afraid that will have to wait, his majesty has a big announcement to make", she states then turns to my father as if to tell him 'this is your chance' and we all look his way curiously.

"Patience Erica, I'll make the announcement once father Matheo arrives", he chuckles, then continues, "he'll be joining us for dessert". And as if he had sensed his arrival, Tobias announces the priest's arrival. We all stand up except our parents to receive his greetings, we've been taught to greet people while standing. 

Father Matheo is a kind hearted man in his fifties. He always gets along with most people young or old, he's been of great help in the running of the orphanage my mother allowed me to start two years ago, giving advice and direction on how to handle the children. He distances himself with matters politics but to us he's almost family. My father invites him to every function in the palace, they share friendship and mutual respect.

Despite always being calm and collected, my father today seems to be conflicted and showing hints of nervousness, he's been staring at his hands avoiding his usual eye contact. Am starting to worry about what he's about to say, I feel like it is something of great deal and he needs support of the priest and the earlier show of solidarity between him, the queen and mother all points to big news.

The question now is; what kind of news makes him this nervous?

"I call you all today because I have great news to share with you.....", my father begins when Estelle, my mother's most trusted right hand lady joins the table and has been served with the wine and the dessert just like Matheo. I was unable to secure a plate of dessert because of my earlier false confessions but I don't mind, am sure my stepmother will save some for me and have it delivered to my room all while keeping it a secret from my mother.

"Princess Laurel,.....'' he continues and I instantly snap my head to look at her, am shocked and I am not the only one, her blue eyes are opened widely with the mention of her name....."for more than a year now, I have been receiving different proposals from families seeking an alliance through marriage....." he pauses sweeping his gaze across the table and settling his eyes on my sister. I can clearly tell the news is for three pairs of ears; mine, Sebastian's and Laurel's. I can't believe my two brothers kept the information from us, I mean, we are close and we talk about anything and everything except some politics that do not make sense.

"And after several considerations and discussions, am glad to announce to you that we have finally settled on one that we feel will be most beneficial to both of our kingdoms", he continues.

Wait what? 

What does he means kingdoms?

Are they planning on taking my sister across the border? To another kingdom? 

I turn to look at Humphrey with narrowed eyes, am delivering the 'how could you message' and he gives an apologetic look. My sister is still shocked and she seems scared something she never shows. I can't blame her though I am also scared.

We knew that a conversation like this will take place sooner or later but to actually hear my father say, is still....terrifying. I look across the the table and my eyes lands on my mother sitting beside her daughter who is about to get married to a total stranger and the calmness she displays is utterly disturbing.

"We have come to an agreement to hold your marriage in a month's time", he says, his eyes still on Laurel. 

The last statement seems to put Laurel in another level of shock, she seems like she wants to run away and I just want to throw myself and hold her to provide support and to comfort her, are there worst news than these?

"Laurel, your marriage will be of great value to us and the whole kingdom, as a princess you owe it to the kingdom", he is speaking softly to her, almost apologetically as if that will lift the weight of the news off her mind,..."so you are expected to be ready when the moment arrives".