Chapter 5: The Oak princess

   GWENA'S POV....;

"What do you think princess?", Maria asked intruding on my thoughts. I looked at my hair in the mirror .

"Looks fantastic Maria, thank you", I said smiling and patting her hand on my shoulders. It brought a big smile to her face that made me think of the rising sun.

I walked into father's chambers for he had requested my presence. He sat on his king sized canopy bed with legs crossed and facing the window that looked out to the gate of the palace.

"You called, Father", I quietly said. He seemed lost in thoughts for he looked a bit startled but immediately regained composure and ordered me to sit with him.

" Gwen, since your mother left us, it hasn't been the same, you've been my backbone and rock, but it won't be forever....." He said all these quite emotionally, he always gets sober when talking about my mother.

"The Snow Dom sent a letter" He continued. He picked up a letter from his bedside table and handed it to me, I took it and opened it slowly wondering what it's content might be.

"No!" I uttered firmly as I read through it. "No Father, I do not want this" I said again shaking my head from side to side.

"My love, I have already accepted their request to come visit us, you need to be with someone, just as your mother was with me. I wouldn't want you to waste your whole life being...."

"No Father, I promised mum I'd take care of you, I made a promise. I can't just leave you all alone by yourself " I countered cutting him off.

"I am a grown man Gwen, I took care of myself before your mother came into my life" He said, a hint of amusement playing around his lips. I just stared at him not believing he accepted without letting me know of it first. "You'd need to prepare yourself for they plan on coming the day after next, and I want you to familiarize yourself with the snow prince.." I groaned slightly and placed my head on both my hands.

"Do this for your Father Gwen" He looked at me pleadingly. "It might be of great benefits to the kingdom" he finished off.

I didn't agree to this meeting so when the D day came, I didn't come out to greet the new arrivals. Instead I went out to the gardens where my best memories layed.

"Gwen darling be careful with those flowers, they have bits of thorns in them, I wouldn't want you to get hurt"Mother said

"But they're so pretty mummy" I said wide eyed and admiring the flowers as I touched and played with them.

My memories got disrupted by someone trying to walk quietly, I focused intently and cocked my head to listen attentively when the footsteps stopped, I sensed the person turning away and I got to my feet facing the direction I heard it coming from.

I recognized the snow prince immediately, for I had seen him once at a ball but we were much younger then and were only getting introduced into society.

"Evening Your Majesty" I said rolling my eyes but bowing just in time so he wouldn't notice it.

He didn't give an answer for a while and I started wondering if I'd remain this way for the whole day. What a pompous show off.

"You may rise" He finally said. I looked up a bit, he still hadn't changed after all these years. With golden locks framing his face and eyes the color of honey, his jaws well structured with a cleft chin and full pink lips. I managed to look away, I'm not going to be with him, I repeated this over and over in my mind.

 "I suppose you're the much awaited Prince Arden of the Snow Dom" I said a bit sarcastically hoping he'd notice it.

 "I suppose you're right, mi lady" he said giving me what he perhaps hopes is a charming smile.Nope not moved by that, I'm so done with him.

"Well, welcome to the Oak Dom" I managed to voice out already getting slightly irritated with the smile still on his face, I bent to pick up my gardening instruments so he doesn't notice it.

"I'm happy to be here...." He started saying. He turned facing the palace and I managed to slip away into the hidden garden door leading into the palace that's been built to look like a tree.

 "At least I've familiarized enough with him, I fulfilled Father's wish" I tried convincing myself as I navigated my way towards my room.