THE PALACE

We quickly get dressed since the commotion outside our room seemed endless.

"My love... I'm so sorry about this but I'll make sure that next time, no more disturbances." I squeeze her hand in comfort.

I am feeling chagrin.

Beatrix just smiled and squeeze my hand in response.

"Your highness.. do not worry so much. I'm fine." she said genuinely.

Then I escorted her to seat in the sofa, give her a peck on her soft lips and swiftly reached the doors to open for the unexpected visitors. King Sven and Queen Evi are standing outside our doors with Princess Sophie and the military escorts.

"Hello Your Majesty! Mother... and Princess Sophie... Please come in!"

The military escorts waited outside.

Then, Beatrix eyes widened and bow down.

"Your Majesty.. and Princess Sophie... It is nice to see you again!" she said politely.

Princess Sophie hugged me and Beatrix.

"Oh how I missed this two lovebirds! Princess Sophie cheerfully said.

" Sophie!?!!?! Queen Evi and King Sven said in unison.

Then they all seated on the sofa.

The King surveyed the room and said "What is this all about Stefan?!?! We never know that you are here until we saw some photos of you and Beatrix on the television!" he added.

" My son, our home is much comfortable and bigger than this room and safer " Queen Evi stated.

"We just arrived earlier today...about a few hours ago Your Majesty! We're supposed to stay here for two days in the hotel and we surely are going to pay you a visit anytime soon" Stefan responded.

Our hearts are fluttering and still feeling the ecstasy earlier.

"O How your both skin shows great colors! And Beatrix looks differently than last time we've meet" Queen Evi look sternly to both of us and expressed her observation.

"That's how the weather of Stockholm affect us, Your Majesty!" Stefan defended.

"You better collect your things now... before those paparazzi haunting you here!" Queen Evi added while she surveyed the messy bed and soiled clothes on the floor.

"And we have an urgent matter to discuss my son." King Sven announced.

So, we are compelled to follow the orders.

We collected our things and two of the military escorts approached to help us with our suitcase.

And we started moving out from the room.

The King walked side by side with Stefan and discreetly talked.

"Your Uncle Charles called me earlier about him and the Heiress of Oblonsky is in Seward. Why did you left them there? Good thing that Mikael is around to cater them." King Sven said in disgusted manner.

"Your Majesty, we can talk about it later?" Stefan annoyingly responded.

Three cars are waiting outside the hotel.

A limo and two military cars.

We are quickly loaded inside the limo to avoid people and paparazzi.

Stefan seated beside Beatrix and hold her hand most of the time.

They had a peaceful twenty minutes ride in the snowy road of Stockholm from the The Lady Hamilton Hotel to the Palace of Dothinghelm.

"We are now entering the Grand Palace of Dothinghelm..My love.." Stefan whispered in my ear.

Prompted me to look outside the windows of the car.

I couldn't helped myself to be mesmerised by the grand majestic entrance!

The Grand Palace is enclosed with high bricked walls with military guards in crisp blue uniform roaming around the vicinity.

The gated entrance welcomed us with the metal ornate gold design markings and symbols of the Royal Family and two marble lions.

The military escorts from the two other cars, went down, opened the gates for us while others on guard.

The calming yellow facade of the castle reminds of sunshine and liveliness.

The magnificence of the Grand Palace revived the memories I had during childhood.

I am amazed by the French Baroque designs of the garden of which is clothe by silver white snow.

As the limo moved along the garden, there were bronze statues and sculptures and fancy fountains and thick tree avenues.

It exudes opulence!

I'm drawing myself closer to Stefan and whispered in his ear "Your highness.. the Grand Palace is so beautiful! I could imagine how it would be during summer time, strolling on the walkways of the gardens."

"Don't worry My Love.. you will have a lifetime to enjoy it! Stefan smiled flirtatiously.

And I hid my red face in his neck while holding his hand tight.

And...

We are now at the west wing of the Grand Palace is the Royal Chambers.

"My Love.. This is where we stayed every summer. But during winter... I loved it staying in my mansion in Seward. It was a gift given to me on my 20th birthday because he knows that I loved outdoor activities." he proudly announced.

The car parked slowly in front of another luxurious gateway. The military escorts stand on guard around the car then opened the door of the limo.

Then the Royal family started to disembark the car and Stefan courteously assisted me.

Two butlers helped us with our suitcases.

And we are moving into the walkway entering to much bigger hallways of the Chambers.

Gold carvings and metal ornate gold designs on every walls, along with wall paintings and French rococo style interiors.

Then.. Stefan halt to one of the doors and the Royal family bid goodbye then, King Sven said "See you in twenty minutes in the Pillared Hall for dinner."

We both accede.

Then they moved on to the other room.

The two butler already opened the door for us and our suitcase is already inside.

Stefan ushered me.

"The room is magical! Your Highness.." I joyously exclaimed.

I surveyed the interior.

Big wall portrait of little Stefan, Royal family portrait and a teenager Stefan in a military uniform.

The powder blue hues of the walls and gold designs.

And two clear crystal chandeliers gracefully lighted the room when I look up the ceilings.

And I more wowed by the beautiful painting on it.

Glass windows showed the vista outside the Chambers.

Stefan embraced me from the back.

"My love.. we better freshen ourselves, we do not want them waiting." he whispered in my ear and kissed my nape.

"Your Highness..."

"Yes, come with me.. let's take a quick shower together." Stefan induced me.

I nodded and he leads me to the shower room.

We are fully undressed.

The warm water falls gracefully into our body.

Then, Stefan put helped me put some body wash soaps on the body and I reciprocate his actions.

Then we rinsed off.

Stefan grabbed Beatrix and give her a peck on her lips.

"My Love... How I wished to make love to you right now but I don't want them waiting." he breathlessly said.

And we swiftly put on our clothes.

I'm wearing a lilac blue puffy sleeves long gown, with lacy lilac gloves and a pair of leather lilac French heels.

Stefan wore a dashing black tuxedo and pants with leather black shoes and I lay down my wavy long soft silver hair.

While he brushed up his hair in elegance.

My heart is full of fondness while looking at Stefan.

"You are so gorgeous My Love.."

"Thank you.. Your Highness! And so are you.." I lovingly responded.

Then, someone knocked on the door.

He reached out his arms and entangled mine.

And we started to walk our way out, the butler is waiting outside. He leads us to the Pillared Hall for dinner.

The hallways are all the same but when the butler opened the doors of the Pillared Hall is showing a different color pallet but gold symbols, decors and chandeliers

The long table is waiting with red chairs and twenty butlers standing by, ready to serve.

The butlers bow down as we arrived.

And Stefan ushered me to my seat.

The King, the Queen and Princess Sophie just arrived and welcomed by the butlers.

And seven course meal is served.

As the last course of meal served, wines are given to us and a musician played a harp on one side of the hall.

Then, King Sven speaks "Stefan, my son. As I have stated earlier about your Uncle Charles called me from Seward about his proposition on you marrying the Heiress of Oblonsky. He was done by his investigation of the lost Heiress and she found her already. They will be coming here in the Grand Palace. "

Beatrix choked upon hearing the news.

Stefan helped her for a drink.

" Your Highness.. Is there something that I should know? " I asked Stefan in curiosity.

" My Love... Please let me explain. We will talk later..ok?" he plead.

I felt suffocating.

" I'm sorry but I need to go. Thank you for the wonderful dinner.. Your Majesty! " I stand up, bow down and leave the hall.

The butler ushered me to the room.

My heart is shattered into pieces.

How could Stefan lied to me?

We left Seward to avoid Uncle Charles and the Heiress?

How is this happening?

My tears started to fall.

And Stefan marrying her is the most heartbreaking part of it all.