Helping Hand

The next morning after I had dinner with Edward in my palace, was clamorous in many ways.

First of all, I woke up once again with the 'rise and shine' chanting.

Yes, Edward had already sent her back that night. I had no idea what in the world Flora did to make Edward sick of the sight of her. Not only that, the royal palace had another ongoing mix-up. The queen had already summoned everyone in the palace to the throne hall to make an announcement early in the morning.

I sloppily went to the royal pond then got ready with the help of Violet and Lilly. I chose to wear a sky blue outfit that day. To be honest, I just wanted to wear something in a similar colour as Victor's uniform. I also braided my hair into a fine french braid with the help of Lilly. I, my guards, and maids went to the throne hall soon after that.

I sat in one corner beside Edward waiting for the queen to start. It was too early in the morning so I had to try my best to keep my eyes from closing again. Also, the silence in that room reminded me of my morning high school morning assembly, not to mention the queen herself was almost like my headmaster. If Victor was somewhere around the corner, I would have looked at him and the time would have passed so easily. But he was not there. I couldn't find him even after searching for him for a while.

Within a few minutes, Evelyn too arrived with her four maids and two guards. The white crystal gown she was wearing didn't match that silent morning. I peeked at Edward, checking his reaction. I expected him to make a face but what I witnessed was something but what he did had awakened me from my sleep. When he saw he nodded in acknowledgement.

This made me frown. I looked at Evelyn. She was looking at me then. I immediately averted my gaze to avoid any future trouble. But she didn't seem to be bothered by that. She walked to me and stood right in front of me. I tried my best not to look up, but how long can I pretend? When I looked up I confronted a smiling face.

She was indeed so beautiful, like most of the evil villainesses. Her bright, green eyes were looking at me and her pure white teeth were exposed because of her 'heartfelt' smile. Golden curls were cascading from her two shoulders.

"Your Highness! It's been a long time!" she smiled fondly.

"Yes, yes!" I sheepishly smiled back.

"You've grown into a beauty!" she giggled.

"Yes, yes!" I nervously turned my head away trying to find my way away from her.

"Princess! My sister is sometimes afraid of strangers! Please don't scare her like that!" Edward came to my rescue.

"No, no! Brother, you don't know me well! Do you? We don't get along well. Do we?" I sheepishly blabbered as I turned to Evelyn. "Me and princess, we are not strangers! I know Evelyn very well" I continued.

"To be honest, my brother talks about you a lot! Probably you must be the most favourite person for him in this world, no, no entire universe. Right, brother?" Now I turned to Edward with the sheepish smile. He was looking at me perplexed.

"Hahaha..." I turned and laughed at Evelyn!

"My brother. He even doesn't know what his heart wants. He had always been like that. But we can say" I continued.

"You can say just by looking at him?" Evelyn asked me with a sweet smile. Only I understood the evil intentions hidden behind that lovely smile.

"No, I didn't mean that. It's just too obvious. It's not like we are close" I somehow spat the words.

"Oh, but His Highness talks a lot about you, Your Highness!" Evelyn told me still with a smile.

I didn't know how to protect myself from her anymore. When I turned towards Edward, I saw my death was staring at me still with a perplexed expression. I hopelessly turned towards Evelyn again.

"Please be seated! The event will start soon, princess!" I blankly told her. When she was about to sit next to me, I got up and swap seats with her allowing her to sit next to Edward.

Then I patiently searched for my love in the crowd. Still, I couldn't find him. I finally rested my head on my palm as I waited for the event to start.

The queen didn't let me wait for too long. When she started her speech, I sat straight sharpening my ears.

"As the Astranian queen, here, I'm privileged to announce that my son and daughter, will get married soon!"

When she said that, the whole crowd cheered expressing their happiness.

'What the...' my lips parted in horror. 'This queen...' I couldn't help but mumble in anger.

"As our shaman advised, we will hurry and hold a ceremony the next month!" she announced. This had lightened up the fire of anger inside me. I searched and found the shaman in the crowd.

When I saw him, he was also looking in my direction. I couldn't help but grit my teeth in anger. He looked pale since he didn't understand why I was angry then. He hid behind the health minister to escape my gaze.

"Before that..." she paused silencing the crowd, the palace will hold a ball. All the citizens in Astrana are welcomed!" she finished.

This was a bummer for both me and Edward. When I looked at Edward in fear, he looked at me, still with calm eyes. Once everyone was settled after celebrating the good news, the crowd started to scatter.

Since the poisonous air around Evelyn was polluting me, I hurried my way out of the throne hall.

'Where is Victor? I can only calm down if I see him. Where's my baby? Where's my baby? Where's my baby?' I mumbled as I searched Victor. Finally, like someone who had been starving for a whole day found their food, I found.

He was carelessly leaning on a pillar. When I saw him, I smiled, involuntarily. He looked so handsome, standing there. 'Does it usually happen to everyone in love? Why does he look so handsome suddenly?' I pondered as I started to walk towards Victor.

When I was a few feet away from him, my legs involuntary slowed down. For the first time in my life, I hesitated to speak.

"Vic..." When I finally gathered my courage and was going to call his name, Violet jumped in between the two of us out of nowhere.

"Your Highness!" startled by her cry, Victor turned towards us. "I'm so happy. So happy that you're getting married" she continued. "Yes Your Highness! We need to celebrate this!" said Lilly who was standing on my other side.

Hearing their shout, Victor straightened himself as he bowed a bit, "Your Highness!" I saw his lips mumble.

Though there were a few people already surrounding me, I wasn't able to avert my gaze away from him, since he looked troubled.

"Should we all move to Letresh once you're married?" Violet asked. Now Victor looked at me. "What we will need to buy then?" Lilly asked. I was too distorted to answer those questions.

"Lilly, Violet, leave Her Highness alone!" Flora came to my rescue. Since she was aware of what kind of a scum James was, she probably felt pity towards me. I sighed as I stepped closer to Victor ignoring the two hovering around me.

"Victor," I stepped further closer. He looked fuzzy. "Come back to the palace. Enough with the prison duty" I said. He looked at me then hummed an 'Mn'. "About the marriage..." he meticulously looked at me in my eyes, expecting my next words.

"Help me stop the wedding," I said leaving Violet's and Lilly's mouths open.

Now I could see Victor's lips curl into a smile. "It's not going to happen without the groom anyway!" he replied with his trademark smirk.

"But that'll cause problems to Astrana," I told with a worried expression. Before we could speak the next words, we heard an unexpected voice near us.

"I told you to leave it to me, you forgot sister?"

I was indeed startled to hear Edward behind me. I turned to him. "Brother!"

Edward's blue eyes shone once then met with Victor's for a second before they fell on my face. "You don't need to ask help from anyone! You are my sister. Keep that in mind!" he said with a frown.

"I..." when I hesitated he dragged me out of the crowd.

"There's no need for you to marry James nor ask help from Victor," Edward said.

"The ball..." I started again.

"I'll take care of it"

"Evelyn..."

"I'll take care of her!"

I frowned as I looked at Edward. "How?" I frowned.

Edward smiled as his blue eyes gleamed in excitement. He patted my head once. "Just focus on having fun. I'll take care of everything else," he said as he started to walk away disappearing in the crowd.

When I turned around, what I confronted was a pair of fiery hazel eyes!