Chapter 4:
(Hildegard POV)
I wasn't sure what to say to him as we walked inside the interior gardens in the palace. Zandar had let go of my hand and we were walking side-by-side. I began looking down at my hands waiting for him to say something. Finally I spoke, "Congratulations." He turned to me and smiled, "Thank you." We both got quiet again. "So what are we supposed to talk about?" Zandar asked. I though back to what Astrid had told me, "Well I can ask about your kingdom. What it is like? What you do for fun? Etc. But we talked about that when we went to Royal Prep. I can also ask you about your interests: hobbies, sports, etc. And a bunch of other polite conversation pieces that are ultimately meaningless in the end." He started to laugh as I listed everything off and I started laughing to at the absurdity of the preplanned conversation topics.
"Alright, well you've been to Tangu before and you know as much about the kingdom as I know to tell other people. We both went to Royal Prep so you know that I was on Flying Derby and Hockey but, I went to the School of Science and Alchemy after Royal Prep. Then insert your choice of polite conversation about your kingdom and the garden." I nodded, "Fine, you've been in Freezenberg for a while so you know that the interior gardens is the only place where flowers will grow besides Nettledrops. We both went to Royal Prep so you know a bit about my hobbies with painting and fashion and I went to the School of Fashion and have designed some gowns on the side for other royals including some weddings." I paused for a moment, "Insert your choice of polite conversation about the weather and your victory." We laughed again and kept walking.
"Now that the tension is broken," Zandar started, "why didn't you tell me about the Gauntlet back at Des and Amber's wedding?"
(Zandar POV)
I was glad that Hildegard started talking and it was nice to see her a little more relaxed than normal. Ever since we were kids she had to be this picture perfect princess all the time. I never understood why but, I always wanted to know. I'd try to make her smile, laugh, show her a good time and sometimes it seemed to work but she never let anyone besides Amber and Clio in. Then another thought that had been weighing on my mind, "Now that the tension is broken...why didn't you tell me about the Gauntlet back at Des and Amber's wedding?" She looked straight ahead with her hand in front of her, "What would the point have been?" "I'm your friend and someone who cares about you," I started. "I know you are but, it is a tradition of Freezenburg even if I told you it would still be happening. I would still get married at the end of it," she shrugged, "it is out of anyone's control. It was easier not to talk about or even think about then try to wrap my head around it."
She was quiet again and I went for her hand and squeezed it, "Alright let's not talk about it anymore." I then brought her closer and interlocked our arms. She then looked over at me, "Thanks." I nodded and we walked a little more, "Last I remember you have a younger sister..." she started and we fell back into a natural conversation that felt like it could last forever.
We continued to walk and talk about our lives, our families and more only avoiding talking about the Gauntlet itself and her mother. I even caught her laugh and smile more. "King Zandar, Princess Hildegard," her sister came over with Prince Axel, "your time is up. Hildy I'll walk you back." Hildegard turned to face me and went into a curtsey, "Goodbye King Zandar." She walked off with Princess Astrid. I watched as they both walked down the hallways, "If you are looking at Astrid I'll kill you. If you are looking at Hildegard she isn't going to look back." I looked over my shoulder and saw Prince Axel. "Let's walk and talk."
(Hildegard POV)
"So King Zandar?" Astrid started asking. I just kept my eyes forward, "He won." She rolled her eyes, "Please I have seen the way he looks at you and you look at him." I turned to face her, "We were friends back in Royal Prep. That's all." "You expect me to believe that. Why are you fighting so hard against the Gauntlet? It is fate." "Fate..." I started my voice clearly angry. I took a breath, "Fate isn't always fair. I am going through with the Gauntlet because it is tradition and it is what is expected noting more. If Zandar does win well at least it will be a friend but, I won't be surprised if it is someone else. Fate just isn't that kind to me to grant me the love of my life like it did you." I walked off before Astrid could say anything else. I enjoyed not having to talk about the Gauntlet when I was with Zandar and I knew it wouldn't last long but, I had hoped I would be able to make it to my room first. I sat down on my bed and put my face in my hands.
(Zandar POV)
I began walking with Prince Axel and it was strange. Still he was the last person to win the Gauntlet so he probably knew something I didn't. "Can you tell me anything about the Gauntlet that could help?" I asked and he laughed shaking his head, "Look tomorrow is the intelligence challenges and the last one is dedication. I can't tell you anything more but, if you are meant to win you will." I looked over at him, "Do you believe that?" He shrugged, "Look I wasn't the strongest or the smartest when I ran the Gauntlet all I knew was that I couldn't let Astrid end up with any other one of the ones I was up against. I saw you during the stone hold, I had that same look in my eyes when I thought someone else was going to marry Astrid. I love her, she loves me and with or without the crowns I would spend the rest of my life with her in a heartbeat." He began to walk away and I added, "What about dedicated?" He turned back, "You said you weren't the smartest or the strongest, what about dedicated?" He shrugged, "I won, didn't I?"