Smilla had withdrawn to her room when they returned back to the castle. All Roman could do was stand by and wait for her to come out. A few hours later everyone suddenly started running around. A closed horse carriage entered the grounds. It stopped in front of the castle. Someone rolled out a red carpet before the door to the carriage was opened and two men stepped out. King Hunter hurried outside to greet them. Roman as well as many others exited the castle too in their curiosity.
"King Corbin," Hunter greeted the two men. "And this must be your son prince Dolph."
Roman knew those two names. He had never seen their faces though. Now that he was looking at them, he sure didn't like them. He knew why they were there. He stared at Dolph. To him the prince looked like a snotty brat that he could easily break in two if he needed to. Hunter turned his head and spotted Roman.
"Roman, go tell the princess to get ready for dinner. I expect her to be presentable," Hunter said.
Roman nodded his head and walked back inside the castle. He hated that Smilla had been right a few hours earlier when she was watching the crows. Bad times were indeed coming. They had already arrived. He walked to her room and knocked on the door.
"Enter!" She called.
He opened the door and looked inside. She was standing by the window. He could see she already knew, and yet she still had to be absolute sure.
"He's here, isn't he?" She asked.
"I'm afraid so," he answered.
If there ever was a time he wanted to take her in his arms and protect her from the entire world, now would be it. He couldn't. He kept standing there in the open door. He couldn't enter the room and close the door behind him. Someone might see it.
"King Hunter asked me to tell you to look presentable for dinner," he said.
"And so I shall," she said.
He could see she kept a brave face up. She was not going to break down now.
"Excuse me," a voice said.
Roman turned his head and saw the maid Lana standing there. He stepped aside and Lana entered the room. He leaned up against the wall so they wouldn't see him still standing out in the hall but he could continue hearing them talk.
"Princess Smilla," Lana said. "Your father sent me to help you clean up. My, you have grown so much, princess. You look more and more like your mother. We all miss her."
"I miss her too," Smilla said.
Roman had never met her mother. She died many years ago. He had seen paintings hanging in the castle and it was true that she looked like her mother, only way more beautiful in his eyes.
"The little princess is all grown up and ready for marriage," Lana said. "Aren't you excited?"
No answer came. Roman knew Smilla didn't even have to answer. Lana would fill in the answers to her own questions in her head and continue talking. Sometimes she had long conversations with herself without realizing that no one was ever saying anything back.
"This dress will look amazing on you," Lana said. "Go on, princess. We need you out of this everyday clothes. We can't let prince Dolph see you this common looking."
Roman sneered. Everyone was so stuck up in this castle. Smilla looked amazing no matter what she wore. Even better when she was naked. Something he had been lucky enough to experience countless times. That had to end now.
"I'll get the door," Lana said.
Roman sidestepped slowly. He heard the door to her room close, and the entire hall fell silent. He let out a sigh and walked back downstairs. If he couldn't be close to Smilla, he would stay close to the king and prince that had just arrived. He needed to know everything he could about this upcoming marriage. Mainly how long Smilla had left before being tied down to the prince.