Chapter 9: In which there are some mushy bits
The next day Alex left her bedchambers to be greeted by a large vase of flowers on the drawing room table. Grinning she inhaled the scent of the red roses and jasmine; the two had always been her favourites, before lifting out a card from the blooms.
Alexeika,
Be warned I am now officially courting you! You cannot flee to the hills; I will follow you to the ends of the earth! I know you love these flowers. Yours always,
Faldain.
P.S. My father requests you and your father join us for lunch at noon, please come.
Smiling Alex looked up as a familiar pair of footsteps entered the room. Still facing the door he was closing Illymir, voice thick with sleep, grumbled, "Alex do you have any idea why the maids are obsessively giggly today?" the prince turned and caught sight of the bouquet, "Oh. Didn't waste any time, did he?"
Alexeika looked at her father oddly; "That Prince of yours!" Alex looked just as blank, "Prince Faldain! The prince you have spent the past year studying with, the prince who dragged me and his father into his chambers to tell us that he intended to woe you until you couldn't stand up straight."
Alex blushed and inconspicuously laid the card back on the mahogany table, "Oh, Faldain." Illymir rolled his eyes and muttered something about love- struck women. "Said Prince and father have asked us to dine with them at noon." She commented sitting down to a bowl of porridge and a glass of apple juice.
"Truly?" the general picked up the card before quickly scanning it, "Then we must attend." Alex nodded a little dreamily, missing the general's resigned sigh. "Let us hope his majesty does not try to converse with you, if you're this bad away from the prince I doubt you'll notice anything else in his presence."
A knock came at the door as Alex finished the last of her repast. A page stepped forward with a bow, "Princess Thiaterekia wishes that Princess Alexeika join her and her school companions, in the library."
Alexeika moved swiftly down the arched hallway back to her rooms to meet her father. The morning had been fun, the girls from school found numerous books to enjoy. Thia had been engaged in a book on healing; Sandrina a foreign recipe book and Pheresa had found some rather, Interesting poems that she and Alex had giggle over for several minutes. Needless to say 'twas a morning well spent.
Lost in thought Alex didn't notice a movement in the shade of a nearby archway until and strong arm snaked round her waist and pulled into the shadows. About to sink her teeth into the hand over her mouth Alex recognized her abductor and settled for the strongest glare she could find.
Grinning cheekily the prince replaced his hand swiftly with his lips in a sweet kiss before drawing away. "See you at lunch, my love." He whispered in her ear before disappearing down a side corridor.
Somewhat ruffled she continued back to her rooms and upon arrival studiously ignored her father's questioning look at her flamed cheeks. As they walk through the brightly lit corridors, with their intricate wood floors she focused on taking several deep breaths in an attempt to maintain some form of outward composure, whilst chanting an inner mantra of 'that damn prince.'
"Pet?" her father asked softly, after she had been staring at the door to the dining room for several minutes.
Effectively roused she gave her head a quick shake before offering a reassuring smile. "Sorry, I must have been lost in thought, Papa."
With a knowing smile, Illymir took her hand and led her into the red room and to her seat, conspicuously opposite a smiling prince. After exchanging pleasantries, Tobeszijian had them start the meal; roast beef, vegetables and potatoes.
After near the end of the meal Alex was beginning to become annoyed at the smug look on the prince from his earlier surprise. Deciding revenge would be sweet Alex couldn't help but smirk inwardly as the prince jumped at the feel of her foot against his shin. Pleased with the reaction she slid her foot a little higher and swore she just saw the prince's eyes cross.
Sending her a swift glare across the table the prince was rewarded with a maliciously innocent look in return. Sadly Faldain was a quick thinker and caught her foot between his knees stopping her from moving anything but her toes; which she exploited mercilessly against his leg.
Then the unexpected happened, "Shall we move to the balcony?" Tobeszijian queried and at Illymir's nod rose, looking pointedly at his son. As Faldain's grip on her foot loosened she took her father's hand and stood. Faldain himself went red, coughed, took a sip of water and slowly stood whilst pulling his blue tunic down at the front.
As they strolled onto the long balcony, Faldain sent her a heated look before turning to her father. "Prince Illymir, may I have a private word with your daughter?" Illymir gave them a calculating look before nodding slowly and moving to converse with his king.
"Why you little she-cat!" Faldain growled in her ear as she fought vainly not to giggle at his apparent discomfort. "I take it you think this is funny?" Alex nodded, holding her hand over her mouth in an attempt not to laugh.
Faldain gave a dramatic sigh, "And to think I wanted to give you some thing today, and you laugh at my pain!" Alex gave him a disbelieving look.
"I tell the truth; here." Faldain offered with a flourish. Holding out a small iron key and a slip of paper, smiling at Alex's now thoroughly confused look, "You'll understand when you return to your rooms."
Alex's eye flew open in surprise before her father appeared. "Alexeika, his highness, King Tobeszijian and I are required in a meeting, will you make it back you your rooms unescorted?" Alex nodded, and with a last look at Faldain heading back to her chambers.
Once there she quickly spotted what Dain had been referring to. A foot high rectangular oak chest, carved with varying plant patterns sat in the centre of the room under a bunch of jasmine flowers. Lifting the key for closer inspection she realized she had yet to read the prince's new note.
Alexeika,
Thia, Sandrina, Thum and I intend to take a ride down to the city markets and a picnic spot on the plains tomorrow afternoon; please come with us, alas there shall be an armed escort so I cannot kiss you senseless, but one cannot have everything.
My love, always, Dain.
Alex rolled her eyes slightly, wondering why the daft prince had just not asked her. Still smiling though, she bent to unlock the chest. Opening it she was greeted by the smell of rose petals strewn within and lo and behold, another note atop a mass of fabric.
Alexeika,
I got Thia to steal your measurements so I could have this made, I hope you like it (Thia, Sandrina and Pheresa said you would so I hope they were correct!) Please wear it to tonight's' celebrations.
Love, Dain
Shaking her head Alex lifted the dress gingerly out of the box and laid it across her bed for closer inspection. The dress was made of silk the colour of fallen red leaves with long hanging sleeves of gold lace that shimmered as it moved. Glancing in the box she found a pair of matching slippers and a golden wreath with yet another note attached.
You can't chicken out of the wreath, Thia is coming to drag you off to get ready she will make sure you wear it!
Checking for any more notes looking to jump out at her Alex sat down beside the dress, running her hands through the soft material. Tonight's festival was the last day of the Beltaine celebrations; bonfire night. Traditionally couples and lovers would jump the fire to seal their love for one another, revelers would dance and drink around a large bonfire until they tired, collapsed or morning came and a green man and may queen from they young men and women would be crowned to bring in the new season.
Thia arrived as Alex slipped into a lovely daydream in anticipation of the night's events. Slightly grouch at being drawn from such a lovely fantasy Alex sent a mock glare at her friend. "Do you not tire of dressing me up like a doll? Or has your brother significantly bribed you to do so?"
Waving a dismissive hand Thia gestured for the maids following to collect the garments and numerous other objects from Alex's room. "Pish! I'm allowed to act like a girl in some instances. Don't try to deny that you secretly enjoy this kind of thing as well, particularly when there is a prince who, for some obscure reason, you fancy waiting for you at the end of it."
Alex decided now was not the time to be stubborn, Thia would see through her anyway, and cracked a huge grin. "Where to then, oh great princess?"
Thia grabbed her hand and threw out a dramatic arm, "Why the bath house, one cannot have you arriving smelly!"
Giggling Alex followed Thia down the corridor, "What of Pheresa and Sandrina?"
"Pheresa is being held hostage pretty much by her uncle and cousin, so shall not be joining us and our darling Sandrina awaits!"
Alex's grin twisted slightly as they swept down a quiet stairway, "Poor Pheresa!" she dropped her voice to a whisper, "Is Thum courting Sandrina?"
Thia gave a soft sigh before putting on a misty voice, "No one knows; not even them!"
"Hmm perhaps we should focus on Sandrina and you gaining some transformations, I already had enough stares thanks to that dress of yours!" Alex replied evilly as they crossed the garden between the palace and bath house.
"Don't think I've been lazy whilst you have been swooning for my brother, Thum, and several other males, have caught onto our dear friend's beauty." Thia replied with a grin as they entered the bathing house before greeting the object of their discussion.
Alex laughed as Lanyl took one look at Thia in her blue gown, kissed her soundly and dragged her into a lively dance. The trio had just appeared at the edge of the clearing set aside for the night's festivities and the two princesses were most proud of the transformation the reaped upon Sandrina.
The noble's long blonde curls had been twirled upon her head amid a mass of pink flowers. Dressed in a deep pink gown, her cheeks seemed to glow a soft rose and her blues shone. As Alexeika and Sandrina moved over to Faldain and Thum, both male's jaws fell.
Faldain composed himself first and sent a sharp elbow into Thum's ribs. Blushing further at Thum's reaction Sandrina lent back on Alex's arm. "Sandrina you can't be a coward now do you like him or not?" Alex whispered violently.
"Yes." Sandrina replied timidly, still unconvinced to move freely.
"Then I suggest you at least spend time with him or he'll think you despise him." The final sentence snapped Sandrina out of her meek position and the two girls reached the males.
Unable to control her facial expression Alex beamed at Faldain as they arrived, even more so as he ran his hand through the hair beside her face, ridding her mind of any other thoughts. Any hope at comprehensible thought left as he, with no thought for the spectacle produced, drew her in for a sweet, yet probing, kiss.
"Lady's and gentlemen; I believe we have found our Green Man and May Queen!" a voice boomed from nearby, before being followed by rousing applause, not that the two noticed. The couple drew back from the kiss to find themselves garlanded in flowers, and Faldain's case branches.
"Well you're dancing with me the rest of the night!" Faldain commented wickedly as he swept her into the fast dance and for once Alexeika did not argue a command.
AN/: yes I know pure fluff don't worry I'll do something devious next chapter I figured I'll end this one on a high note, and I wasn't bothered to perfect it, I'm never happy with my romance-y scenes if I did so I'd never update! Anyway enjoy, if you want me to try anything or have any suggestions just tell me! Luv ya! Annuna Btw you should all tell me if anymore fanfics are discovered/written for these books.
Ok I feel like replying to you all so hehehehehe (yes I have had sugar today)
Amber Myst: Thanks for all the reviews they're lovely - I aim to please! Glad you liked the eyelash story, thanks for the birthday wish and the comments on the fight scenes they made me feel special! I shall do something to Gavril the ass...still plotting.
Cai: Thanks ma petite souer...u should probably grab your own copies of the books sometime!
Jessica Scarlet: Love the email! You have to tell me when you start writing, thanks for the review, I think I'm going to do something evil to Gavril soon I'm just working out what's nasty enough, maybe it'll reflect onto Pheresa, I'm still undecided. Glad you liked me keeping Thia.
Chaosti: glad I have opened you onto others who have read these stories, thanks for the review, nice to have another 'Thia alive' supporter!
Princess Myra: Thanks, you were my first reviewer and it was good encouragement, the review made a bad day shine.