Chapter 4
"Alice, I heard that there's a ball next week," Louisa said to her sister the day after their arrival.
"Oh, right, I heard that too," said Catherine.
"But I also heard that the princesses of Galla and Carthak are coming to the ball too," said Florence.
"Then we must try harder to get Prince Roald. Oh, he's so handsome! I especially love those sapphire blue eyes. They are so dreamy," said Louisa. Alice just smirked, and said nothing.
"Alice, it's not fair. You will get all the attentions during the ball. I bet the prince will fall in love with you."
"Yes, Alice. You are the most beautiful girl in Bardia. The prince will certainly fall in love with you." Then all the girls, except Alice, giggled.
While Alexis was reading in his room, there was a sharp knock on his door. Alexis opened it and found it was one of his cousins.
"Lex, I haven't thought that you and Princess Kalasin will be, you know, so quick," she said dryly.
"Nat, I don't know what you are talking about."
"You do not necessarily have to know what I am talking about. I just have to know what you two are up to. The monarchs saw it yesterday too. Oh, including Duchess Deborah," Natalie, Duchess of Carnought said while walking into Alexis' room, and he shut the door.
"Okay, calm down. Yes, I'm smitten with the royal princess within three hours and don't speak to me in that tone. It makes me think you are jealous," Alexis smirked.
"Yes, I am jealous. From now on I will lose my best friend, forever."
"Oh, come on, I will be your best friend forever, Milady," Alexis said mockingly.
Natalie rolled her eyes and asked, "What should we do now, Your Highness? I'm bored."
"Well, let's wonder around the palace," Alexis said.
"Do you know the way?"
"No, but we can ask someone to show us around."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. You have your pretty princess Kalasin," Natalie said causally and that made Alexis blushed.
Just then there was a knock on Alexis' door. Alexis opened it and said, "Oh, Prince Roald, Princess Kalasin, I am not expecting you. Please come in." Nat raised her eyebrows. Roald and his sister came in. Natalie quickly recovered. She curtsied and said, "Your Highness."
"Ah, I believe you are Prince Alexis' cousin, Duchess of Carnought. Please, don't call me by my formal title. Call me Roald."
"Yes, call me Kally."
"All right, call me Alexis."
"Call me Natalie then," the duchess said with a serious and icy tone. Roald ignored her unfriendly tone and said, "I have a day off today. Kally and I want to show you and the princesses around the palace and introduced our other siblings to you. Would there be any problems?"
"I guess not," Alexis replied.
"Then let's go to fetch the princesses," Kally said.