Aria's POV (Eight Years Later)
I sit in my small bedroom and stare out the window, while I dream about my old life in the village. It's during days like these that I feel lonely, and long to see my mom, dad, and brother again. Yesterday was my seventeenth birthday, and the only person who gave me more than a glance was Catherine the nurse, who has been like a mother to me over the past eight years.
"Aria!" I hear Queen Dianne growl as she knocks on my door rapidly.
"Yes Ma'am." I say as I snap out of my thoughts.
"Why are you still in your room? We're having a banquet tonight, and the entire town is coming! You're needed in the kitchen!" Dianne tells me angrily.
I sigh before crawling out of bed, and making my way to the familiar kitchen.
"Good morning Aria." Catherine tells me with a smile.
"Good morning." I say as I hug the older woman.
"It sure is a beautiful day for a party." The nurse says to me.
"What's the occasion? It must be a big deal if the entire town is coming." I say thoughtfully.
"You haven't heard?" Catherine asks me in disbelief.
"No." I say as I shake my head.
"Prince Ezra is coming home from boarding school." She says to me.
"E-Ezra?" I ask as hope fills my fragile heart.
"Yes sweetheart." The nurse says with a chuckle.
"I finally get to see my family again." I say as tears begin to well up in my eyes.
A nervous look washes over Catherine's face, and I can tell that something is bothering her.
"What is it?" I ask her concerned.
"Honey, Ezra made that promise a long time ago. He is a grown man, and Ezra has bigger things to worry about." Catherine tells me gently.
"Maybe, but I know he'll keep his promise." I say confidently.
"Ezra wants to inherit his father's throne, so he won't do anything to upset the king." Catherine says.
"Ezra is a decent human being, he'll do everything that he can to help me." I say as I start to get frustrated.
"You haven't seen what royal schools do to men like Ezra." Catherine says sadly.
"You don't know him like I do." I argue.
"Sweetheart, I just don't want the prince to disappoint you." The nurse says as she wraps her arms around me.
"He won't." I say as I storm out of the kitchen.
As I'm walking through the corridors, I feel someone grab me by my waist from behind.
"Hello street rat." Prince Wes says as he pulls me close to him.
"Please don't touch me." I say as I push him away from me.
"Is that anyway to talk to a prince?" He asks me with a smirk.
A started gasp escapes my lips when I see his eyes wander to my breasts. I don't know what goes on in a man's mind, but the nurse has told me about some of their sinful desires.
"I should get back to the kitchen." I say as I cover my chest with my arms.
"The food better be good." Wes mutters as I walk away.
Line Break
A few hours later the banquet begins, and the dinning hall is filled with Rosewood's finest. I can't help but feel self-conscience when I see how beautiful some of the ladies look in their fancy dresses. All I have to cover myself are the rags that Catherine sowed into a dress for my seventeenth birthday.
"Aria!" A hostile voice says to me.
I turn around and see Queen Dianne standing next to a tall man with curly brown hair and beautiful blue eyes. I don't think I've ever seen such a handsome man, and just looking at him makes me blush.
"Y-yes Ma'am." I stutter nervously.
"Go get a glass of wine for my son Ezra." She says to me.
Ezra! I can't believe I didn't recognize him, but he's grown so much! I stand there for a moment to see of he remembers me, but he doesn't even acknowledge my presence.
"Why are you still here?" The queen asks me furiously.
"Sorry." I say as I scurry out of the room.
Ezra's POV
I stare at the girl in front of me and watch as she runs out of the room. She is easily the most beautiful woman at the party, and I can't shake the feeling that I know her from somewhere.
"What is her name?" I ask my mother curiously.
"Aria." My mother says with an eye roll.
Aria, the sweet little girl who I taught how to read. I can't believe she's blossomed into such a beautiful young woman.
"Ezra, I've looked all over for you!" Jackie says as she wraps her arms around me.
"I've been over here darling." I say as I give her a gentle kiss on the lips.
"We've been apart for eight years Ezra, and I don't want to spend another minute away from you." She says as she runs her arms down my chest.
"Don't worry Jackie, we're already in the process of organizing your wedding." My mom says as she beams at my future bride.
"I can't wait." Jackie says as she gives me one of her sweetest smiles.
I respond by giving her a kiss on the forehead. Jackie is a beautiful woman, and she comes from one of the wealthiest families in Rosewood. Our marriage will please my parents, and it will secure my spot as successor to the throne. However, I get an uneasy feeling in my stomach, and something tells me that I'm making a terrible mistake.
Line Break
I sit at the large dining room table with Jackie and talk casually with her.
"Tell me all about England!" She begs.
"It was wonderful, and I can't wait to take you there for our honeymoon." I say with a warm smile.
"England? I was hoping you would take me to Italy." Jackie says with a pout.
"Anything for you princess." I say as I try to contain my annoyance.
"If you'll excuse me, I have some people who I'd like to say hello to." Jackie says as she walks over to a group of women.
I smile when I see Aria approach me with a glass of wine.
"Here you go." Aria says as she hands me the glass.
"Thank you Aria." I tell her with a smile.
"Y-you remember me?" She asks in disbelief.
"How could I forget about you?" I ask her.
A blush covers her face, and her beautiful hazel eyes begin to twinkle.
"How old are you now?" I ask her curiously.
"I turned seventeen yesterday." She tells me.
"Well happy birthday." I tell her.
"Do you remember the promise that you made to me eight years ago?" Aria asks me suddenly.
"No." I lie.
"You promised that you would find my family and take me home to them." Aria reminds me.
"I made that promise a long time ago Aria." I say as I avoid eye contact.
"So you're not going to keep it?" Aria asks as her face falls.
"I'm afraid not, I can't do anything to jeopardize my chances of inheriting the throne." I tell her apologetically.
"Oh." Aria says as tears begin to pour out of her eyes.
"Please don't cry Aria." I beg.
"I need to help out in the kitchen." Aria says as she runs out of the room.
I've never felt so guilty in my life, and I feel horrible about breaking the beautiful seventeen year-old's heart.
"Hi there." Jackie says as she takes a seat next me.
"Hello." I say in a dismissive tone.
"Why were you talking to the maid?" She asks me curiously.
"We were friends growing up, don't you remember?" I ask her.
"Oh I remember." Jackie says angrily.
"She's a sweet girl." I tell her truthfully.
"Stay away from her Ezra." Jackie says sternly.
"But Jackie..." I start to say.
"If you want me as your wife, stay away from that worthless little street rat." Jackie says as she storms out of the room.
What did you think? Thank you for all the positive feedback on chapter one :). I'll update as soon as I get 20 reviews. Thank you all so much for reading, and have a nice Christmas :).
