Two days later, in the afternoon, as Katie read a book in the palace greenhouse; she heard a gentle knock from the door. She glanced up from her book and was greeted by Arden’s warm smile.
“Hey!” he greeted cheerfully, holding up a coffee cup with the word 'Princess' written on it. “Were you bored?”
Katie exhaled, a tired smile on her face. “Exhausted. I just finished my lessons. Dancing was fun but tiring so I am kicking my feet up,” she stared at the coffee cup in his hands. “I thought you would bring me coffee two days ago… seems a little late, isn’t it?”
“I didn’t indicate a specific time,” Arden grinned, handing one of the cups to Katie, taking notice of how red the soles of her feet were. “So how is your fiancé? You’re right here so I assume he’s boring?”
Katie accepted the cup and took a long sip. "He was... condescending. Just a little bit."
Arden inhaled sharply, making a show of being surprised. "Did I hear that right?!" Arden beamed as if he had a newfound pride for Katie. "Is the Princess Katie speaking ill of someone? I think I'm starting to see you in a different light!"
Katie laughed, raising her hands in surrender. "I'm sorry but he just acted like he had me figured out already!"
"Careful or he might hear you," Arden looked around. "Where is he, anyway?"
“He’s doing something at the library. I’ve been told he’s been in there for the last couple days.”
“Sounds to me like there are already marital issues,” Arden teased. “You do know you can tell your aunt you don’t want to marry him, right?”
Katie tightened her grip on the paper cup, wrinkling it a little. “Actually, objectively, I don’t think he’s a bad match for me at all. I do find his academic side a plus, he’s not entertaining anyone else at all,” she shrugged. “And he’s… well, cute.”
The smile on Arden’s face faded and he took a sip so his companion would not notice. He cleared his throat before replying. “Don’t you think you should take your feelings into consideration? You did say he's quite the proud person. You hate people like that.”
Katie nodded, understanding Arden's point. "There's just something about him," Katie took another sip of her coffee. "I think he just developed that personality to stay guarded."
"Or, hear me out, you secretly have a bad-boy complex!"
Katie stared at him in silence then burst out laughing. When she stopped, she smiled at Arden and managed a faint chuckle before speaking again. “Alright, enough about that," she glanced at the large marble fountain at the center of the greenhouse. "You know the real reason why. It’s not like I can just say no. You already know my reputation in this palace. If I refuse the engagement, they’ll probably think I’m full of myself regardless of what I think. It’s not only for compatibility… I know it’s also for the good of both our kingdoms."
Arden pursed his lips. She was right, of course, and he knew she would do whatever was given to her without complaint. It was evident she gave up any sense of control in her personal life ever since she entered the palace. Still, it irked him at how docile she was. What kind of life was she leading before she got to the palace? “Why are you doing that?”
Katie stared blankly at him, unblinking. “I’m not doing anything.”
“I mean that!” he gestured at her stoic face. “You’re being too…” he wrinkled his nose in disapproval, “…nice.”
A look of disbelief flitted across the princess’ features. “What’s so bad about that?”
“Everything!” he threw his hands up, “If you wanted to end the engagement, just say so. You don't have to throw away everything just so you can impress everyone!”
Katie tilted her head, expressing her confusion. “I know you're just concerned for me, but why are you so fixated on my engagement? I’m not opposed to it or anything.”
“But the romantic feelings-”
“Arden, I don’t think that has a role to play in my life anymore. I’m just lucky that the guy I got engaged to happens to be a catch,” Katie raised her cup to the doctor. “You can have my romantic feelings. That way you can love someone even more!”
“At this point, I don’t think it’s of any use anymore,” Arden grumbled, his teeth biting on the rim of the cup.
Katie laughed. “Of course it is! I saw the lady you were eyeing the other day,” she smiled and gave the doctor a thumbs-up. “I heard she’s a model. Honestly, I am not surprised that she’s your type.”
“I have a type?”
Katie nodded. "Dark haired women with an air of mystery around them," she waggled her eyebrows with a grin on her face. "But I could be wrong. Some of the ladies you've been with have light colored hair."
“That sounds-” Arden paused when he realized that Katie's smile today seemed off. No matter how brightly she tried to smile, it never quite reached her eyes. She was hiding something. "Alright, Katie. Out with it."
The surprise in her face made Arden feel more confident in his assumption. "What are you talking about?"
"Katie..." Arden slid closer to her. "You know I always know how you're feeling."
Katie sighed and looked down at her cup. Her hands were trembling, but Arden chose not to do anything. "King Alaster thinks I'm unfit to rule Aelysia."
There it is, Arden thought to himself. Everyone thought the same way and their opinions never changed no matter how evident it was that Katie was learning at a fast pace. "I'm sorry everyone still thinks that way."
Katie shook her head, wiping a tear at the corner of her eye. "I'm used to that. To be fair, he did give me a chance to change his opinion of me during the engagement festivities, starting tomorrow. I just don't know where to start."
Arden smiled, seeing the opportunity to help. "I have a few ideas. Come with me." He grabbed Katie's free hand and pulled her to her feet. "If your feet are a little sore, you can wear sneakers. I won't tell anyone."
"It's fine," Katie said, grunting as she reached down to fix her high-heels. "Palace protocol. I try to stick to it as much as I can."
"Is there any way I can change your mind?"
"No."
Arden chuckled and laughed, knowing he will not be able to change Katie's mind once she had decided on something. They walked into the palace and Arden led her past so many hallways and turns that Katie failed to follow their path with her mind.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked, an uneasy feeling starting to rise in her gut. "You seem to know the palace quite well."
"The late Queen's closet," Arden answered. "Well, actually, it's something she prepared for you. I never knew why she would prepare 20 years ahead but it made sense now."
"My mother? You knew about this... how?"
"My father was the previous royal doctor. He was the one who treated Queen Isabella when she was having trouble with her pregnancy."
"Oh," there was a hint of sadness in Katie's voice. "Did I give her a hard time?"
"As far as I know, she had a problem that seemed to have baffled every physician in the kingdom... that is, until my father showed up."
"Must have been hard succeeding him after that," Katie paused. "Sorry about that."
Arden couldn't fight back a smile as he tugged at a wall lamp with a midnight blue ribbon tied to its base. He always felt understood by Katie no matter how vastly different their circumstances were growing up. His colleagues always envied him for getting such a prestigious position but they never did consider his talent. Not that he ever cared. So long as he could help Katie now, he didn't care if everyone hated him for being friends with her.
He heard a faint mechanical click and the wall panel slid aside, revealing a narrow hallway leading to a large room filled with clothes perfect for courtly occasions. Katie entered the room, her mouth agape. The time to admire the room before her was cut short as her phone vibrated in her pocket. She stepped out into the hallway and muttered a greeting. Arden watched as her body language quickly shifted from calm to panic. When Katie hung up the call, she faced him, a look of terror on her face.
"Who was it?"
"One of the staff called me. I was supposed to make arrangements for everything!"
Katie felt her knees weaken and she leaned against the threshold to the closet to keep herself from collapsing on the floor. She clawed at the fabric on her chest, feeling her chest tighten, making it difficult for her to breathe. As her breathing became quickened and shallow, she could feel herself start to get lightheaded. Arden rushed to her side and made her sit on one of the chairs.“Alright, Katie, I need you to breathe slowly, okay?” Arden told her, demonstrating what she should do.Following his demonstration, Katie fixed her eyes on Arden, the gentleness in his eyes calming her heart. After a few deep breaths, Katie felt calmer and was able to think clearly again. Arden glanced inquiringly at her and she nodded, unable to hold back a faint smile.“Why are you smiling?” Arden muttered, resisting the urge to smile as well.“It’s just… with how much you distance yourself from me from time to time, it’
Katie sat on a wooden deck at late afternoon; her feet dipped in the water. She stared at the orange-tinted horizon for a brief moment, sighing contentedly at the sight and the sound of the waves rolling on the shore. She looked down at the clear water below, creating small patches of foam as she kicked at its surface. She giggled to herself, laughing at her antics like it was the funniest thing in the world. “I came as fast as I can!” she heard someone say behind her.She glanced over her shoulder. A boy around her age smiled brightly at her, his brown eyes sparkling. She slid a few inches from her spot, giving room for her friend to sit. The boy took off his shoes and sat on the deck, sighing with contentment he submerged his feet into the water. Now that she got a closer look at him, Katie couldn’t help but think that he looked familiar. He looked like… Alexander.Katie gasped and she jerked awake, the ceiling in her b
On the way to the ballroom, King Alaster stopped Alexander in the foyer. The prince tilted his head quizzically. Knowing his father was never a fan of being late at a social event and that they were already running late, Alexander found his father’s behavior highly unusual.“We never had a chance to talk ever since we got here,” his father said, his tender voice always taking over when he talked to Alexander. “I’m sorry if I can’t always give you what you want.”Alexander’s jaw clenched. “I gave up a real connection ever since I realized my responsibilities. You know where my priorities lie now.”“That’s what I’m worried about,” Alaster sighed. “I was hoping you would retaliate a bit, but I guess I’m thankful that you’re doing what’s best for the kingdom. Aelysia is a large, wealthy kingdom with a strong influence over other countries. Being associated wit
Despite herself, Katie stayed calm. She paced back and forth as she thought of a way to give the band time to fix their instruments.“How long to they need?” Katie asked.“Ten minutes would suffice. They’re fixing it right now but the guests want music to dance to,” Arden spoke rapidly.Katie groaned, her shoulders slumping. “Okay, I have an idea but can you play the guitar?”Arden eyes widened… then a playful and teasing smile tugged at his lips. “I’ll grab one quickly. I’ll see you inside.”“What are you planning?” Alexander muttered, following Katie as she darted back into the ballroom, where the restless guests were starting to complain.“Something I never thought I'd do in this setting,” Katie replied.“You? Wha-”Alexander watched as the princess ran to the platform where the band was staying and muttered: “T
In the morning, after Katie’s lectures in the library, she was left behind by her tutor to self-study. In the silence of the library, the creaking of the large doors opening almost sounded deafening.“Sneak attack!”Every instinct to survive kicked in and she jumped back from her chair, colliding with another table behind her. A heavy broadsword fell upon the table, bouncing on the thick books but it didn’t fail to leave a mark. She jumped over the table and her pursuer did the same. The figure chased her around the library, flipping over tables and chairs, and dropping books left and right. Katie ran toward the door and her pursuer pounced, reaching the door first, blocking the way out. Immediately, the person raised the sword over his head and sliced it downward. Katie crouched down, her hands over her head, and expected the dull sword to crack her head in two. After a few seconds, nothing came.Arden’s laugh echoed in the library
They all sat inside Arden’s car, all silent, none wanting to break the tension. They heard Katie’s breath hitch and she looked away, wiping a tear threatening to stream down her cheek.“We’re going back to the pa-”“Take us to the studio,” Katie said firmly.Alexander’s head whipped toward Katie’s direction, surprised at the princess’ response. He had anticipated she would follow Arden’s advice without question. “Are you sure? You don’t have to force yourself.”“My imagination played a trick on me. I am not injured,” Katie replied opened the door and got out, dropping any further protests.Both men exchanged glances on the rear-view mirror before following Katie. Arden felt irritated that he couldn’t stop Katie from practicing once she had calmed down.Katie slightly threw open the doors, showing aggression but trying to be polite at the sam
A week passed and the dance practice always carried on until late in the night. At the end of each lesson, the students would always request more time to practice in the studio so the instructors would leave first. With how much Arden had stuck with Katie before this week, Alexander wondered why he was nowhere to be found now. Ever since Katie came back from her walk with Arden clutching her bruised arm, he had never seen him around the palace again. Katie had discussed her injury with no one, hiding it with bandages until it eventually faded. The day before the dance, Alexander finally saw Arden in the palace, walking out of the Queen’s study, holding a folder full of papers. Alexander turned toward the stairs, but after a silent argument with himself, spun sharply on his heel and darted toward Arden. The young doctor noticed him and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “What?” Arden asked, mildly irritated. “You were gone for a whole week. Why?
Katie managed to catch Alexander when she saw his body start to slump and set him down gently on the floor. She grabbed his phone and shone the light over his body to check for anything that could explain him losing consciousness so suddenly. She saw blood dripping from his temple and took a closer look at it.“It’s something blunt, probably,” she muttered. “I should get him ou-” she paused when she recalled why they were eating sandwiches in the studio instead of going out. “Crap.”She felt movement around her and she scrambled back, her back against the dance studio mirror, shining the phone’s flashlight. The darkness around her felt as if it now hid something else that wasn’t supposed to be seen. Another movement on her right… then to her left. Summoning all of her courage, she dashed to the door.“Help!” she helplessly pounded on the door in panic.She could almost feel the darkn