Chapter 3:
"How dare you do such a crazy stunt!" an older woman dressed all in black cried. "A princess dressed as a pauper, caught with some man of unknown lineage!" Cecilia was shaking in her shoes. She was still dressed in her peasant clothes, being lectured by Lady McGrail, a widow of the court. If Cecilia had not been her target, the princess would be calling her Madame Crow, for her appearance made her resemble one. "Furthermore, making Christina lie for you—the list goes on and on," Lady McGrail said. She crossed her arms as if waiting for an explanation.
"I just wanted to better acquaint myself with the land and her people. I am going to be queen," Cecilia answered. Lady McGrail opened her mouth to speak when someone cleared their throat. The king and queen had entered the room and were quietly watching the scene. The queen glared at Lady McGrail. It had been kept secret, but Lady McGrail had tried to kill Queen Sophie after Lord McGrail had unexpectedly passed. (Some suspected Lord McGrail was done in by his wife's foul play) Lady McGrail hoped King Christopher would marry her, but she had few supporters. Christopher knew nothing of this and Lady McGrail was kept in his court, much to the unknown displeasure of his wife. Lady McGrail returned the queen's glare, but left when dismissed by the king.
Cecilia was almost a perfect copy of her mother—red hair, brown eyes, slim figure. However, her mother was short, even for a woman. Cecilia's father often joked about what a ridiculous looking couple they must be since Christopher clearly towered over Sophie. Cecilia, her eldest brother and two sisters were tall, like their father. Their youngest brother was going to be on the short side, after their mother. Cecilia also had a similar temper to the king's: patient, but when set off, could explode. Her mother's temper was shorter and longer in length.
Cecilia stood with her head hanging down. She felt her father's hand on her shoulder. She looked up and was surprised to see him smiling at her. This was not the reaction she had expected from them. "So, you went out exploring our country. Good for you, shows real leadership initiative," he said. "We just wish you had told us," her mother added. "I'm sorry. I guess I enjoyed the feeling of doing something without the whole court knowing," Cecilia said. Sophie nodded, understanding. "Your father knows that well. Pulled the same stunt. I had to cover for him." Christopher just shrugged.
"So, who is this young man that Lady McGrail was raving about?" Christopher asked his daughter. "His name is Orlando and is the best," Cecilia gushed, happy to finally tell her parents about him. Her joy soon diminished when she saw her parents' pained look. "What? Is it something about him?"
"No, Cecilia, no. It's something about you," her mother said. This immediately panicked Cecilia. "Before my father died, he made an agreement we were not aware of nor could we break. He and the king of Purez wanted to see the kingdom restored." Christopher paused. Cecilia knew that her grandfather had re-established ties with Purez; even her own family didn't like the kingdom split. Her father continued. "The king of Purez's heir was a boy. You were a girl…" Cecilia didn't need her father to finish his thought. "An arranged marriage?" Sophie nodded. "The engagement will be official on your birthday. We will meet the prince then."
Cecilia darted out of the room and dashed down the halls. She burst into her chambers and began sobbing into her pillow. Tina followed her and began apologizing. "I am so sorry. They asked me where you were and I told them you went riding, but Madame Crow didn't believe me." Tina cut off her story there when she realized the princess wasn't crying over that. "Cece, what's wrong?" she asked. Slowly, Cecilia croaked out the entire story. "An arranged marriage. Oh Cece," Tina said, hugging her friend.
"Stupid, foolish, idiotic…"
"You forgot dangerous Philip."
"Thank you, Marie. Dangerous. Have we made our point clear yet, Orlando?" The man asking was tall and plump, his face currently resembled a beet. The fact he was mostly bald with some brown hair starting to grow back added to the beet like appearance. The woman behind him on the throne was slender, pale and raven haired. Orlando looked like a perfect mix of both of them.
"Sorry, Mother, Father," he apologized. He no longer wore peasant clothing, but a nice blue shirt with black pants and black boots. "You are the prince of Purez and should act accordingly," Marie, obviously the queen, scolded. "I was trying to learn more about the peasants, to help them when I ascend the throne," Orlando explained. "The village Peter and James found you in doesn't belong to Purez; it belongs to Minelia," the king said, though calmer. "I hope this doesn't happen when you're married." Orlando debated whether or not this was a good time to tell them…The queen left the dais and embraced her eldest son. "Orlando, you know why we are upset. We have every reason to worry," she said gently. The prince nodded.
His parents had told them of their wedding trip. Due to his grandmother's death, Philip and Marie had to postpone it. They made it a one year anniversary trip and were passing through a town. Unbeknownst to them, the town was controlled by a greedy duke and the townspeople were upset. When they heard the royal couple was driving by, they attacked the carriage in an effort to free themselves from the duke. They shook the carriage so hard it toppled over, scaring the young couple. Doctors attending to them soon realized Marie was pregnant and the topple had nearly caused her to miscarry her unborn child—Orlando. So they kept a close watch on their eldest child and still fostered a deep fear of peasants.
Orlando hugged his mother. Both of his parents were now calm. "So, son, was there a girl involved?" Philip asked, causing Marie to give a sharp look. "Not at first," Orlando replied. "Then I met Cecilia. You two would love her. I think she's the one," Orlando said, happily.
His parents suddenly became uncomfortable. "Orlando, there are some things we need to discuss," Marie said. "What? Is it because she's a peasant from Minelia?"
"No, it has nothing to do with Cecilia," Philip responded, "but more to do with your grandfather. He and the King of Minelia agreed to restore Purez and Minelia back to its original forms as Drumin."
"So?"
"The way they did so was by setting up a marriage between you and the Minelian king's granddaughter," Marie said.
Orlando escaped his parents to the gardens. He banged his fist against one of the marble rails. "That bad?" Matt called, now dressed as a Purez palace guard should be. "Worse. Apparently there is an arranged marriage between me and the princess of Minelia. Life sucks," Orlando said, sliding down to a sitting position on the floor.
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A/N: I just want to thank everyone for reading this! Special shout-outs to Gina, Lucie and Fati! ~*Mac*~