CHAPTER 2

He smiled at her again and moved away from her. Since she was standing against the wall, there was a little chance that anyone heard their conversation since they were whispering.

To her surprise the prince removed his golden ring with a ruby in the middle from his finger and he took her hand and he slid it on her finger.

Even though she had an idea what was happening but to really watch it happen was the craziest thing she was seeing. The ring felt heavy on her finger. How was she qualified to wear such a ring on her?

The prince kissed her hand and just like that while she was still in shock he said, “mother, this is the lady I am choosing for my bride.”

She looked at him and then to the queen who didn’t seem to be in shock. She smiled at her son and stood up.

“Bring her here,” she said.

“Remember not to talk too much. You promised.”

“I will remember that.”

She followed the prince to the front with all eyes staring at her.

“Kneel down,” the queen instructed.

She looked at the prince and he nodded. She knelt down in front of her and she touched her head.

“I bless you and I wish you happiness. May you take care of my son, this kingdom’s price and your husband; love him and never be unfaithful to him.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” she said.

To be honest she had no idea what she was doing but the prince seemed to be enjoying it a lot.

The prince helped her to stand up and just like that handmaidens came in to escort her out of the hall. She looked at herself and she looked at Chloe who was very angry and she knew she was just a pawn in the two’s game. What had she gotten herself into?

She followed the maid outside who escorted her to this other room. She looked at the room, so beautifully furnished with a nice floral painting which brought back memories. What exactly was that painting that had brought her so much trouble in the end?

The maids left and the prince came in.

“You like the room?” he asked.

“Can you tell me why you hate me so much to the extent of putting me into this position now?”

“Why do you say I hate you?”

“Why did you pick me when you were supposed to pick her?”

“By her, you mean who exactly?”

“You know exactly who? Chloe Spader.”

“I never said I would choose her, as you have heard I am obliged to choose a lady and I did. You, Talia will be my wife and end of story.”

“How do you even know my name?”

“I will be a fool if I don’t know at least your name.”

“We have never met until today. Don’t make such a mistake, it’s still early you can rectify this mistake.”

“I didn’t do a mistake. People will come and attend to you, just be a good girl and don’t let anyone bully you. You are my bride after all,” he said and left.

She wasn’t going to be part of this game at all. She sat down on the chair and looked at her clothes. She wasn’t even wearing those designer dresses but a waitress clothes and yet he chose her as his bride. She was going to find out what was really going on one way or the other.

She was still seated when the door suddenly opened and Jane walked in with a smile on her face.

“What’s going on?” Talia asked her.

“Congratulations,” she said.

“Did you know this was going to happen?”

“How am I supposed to know that? It’s not like I’m a seer.”

That was true; there hasn’t been one in centuries though their kingdom was founded by them. They were people who had great abilities to discern the future. Because of their powerful visions they helped the royal family to conquer and form the kingdom of Qarth which stood still until this day.

“So, what is going to happen to me now?”

“Since you are familiar to me more, I have been assigned to you. First you need to change and then rest. From tomorrow you will start your lessons and in two weeks you will be getting married to Prince Neal.”

“What lessons?”

“Etiquette, you need to know how to be a princess, it’s no longer a joke.”

“I know it’s not a joke, I just don’t understand why he did it.”

“Did you know him before?”

“I wish I did. I saw him on TV and earlier today he helped him and that’s what got me to this now,” she explained.

Jane laughed at her explanation.

“I’m serious.”

“I never knew the prince could be this way.”

“Why didn’t he choose her?”

“I guess we will never find out but at least the Queen likes you. I will run your bath.”

“I can do it myself.”

“That was before and now everything will be different. You will understand it as time goes on.”

“And my grandmother, I must see her.”

“You will see her after you dress up. You need her blessings too.”

That was better, she waited for Jane to run her bath and when she was done, she washed herself. It was the first time she was dipping herself into warm water full of jasmine fragrance.

There seemed to be a lot of advantages being part of the royal family after all. Maybe from now on she shouldn’t worry about her grandmother’s medical bills; her new family will definitely take care of that.

She finished with her bath and changed into a floral dress that was just below her knees. She had her hair styled and make up applied to her face.