Yeah right. He was not even remotely handsome. He made Prince Vortigen look like the handsomest man alive.
"Dear nephew," said King Lensley "I thought you were not returning until next week."
"Yes, well I changed my mind and decided to return early from my travels." The prince said.
"Your majesties, allow me to introduce my nephew, Prince Mordred." King Lensley said.
Prince Mordred took Hermione's hand and kissed it for a long time. She finally made him release her hand and wiped it on the side of her dress while no one was looking.
"How lovely to meet you Princess Hermione," said Prince Mordred.
"Enchanted," she finally managed to say. She noticed a bit of a conceited tone in Prince Mordred's voice.
"Hello Mordred," interrupted Prince Vortigen with a jealous look on his face.
"Ah, how wonderful to see you, cousin." Mordred said as he went over to shake Vortigen's hand. Vortigen gave him a piercing look that Mordred didn't see.
Hermione noticed that Prince Mordred kept scrutinizing her. I'm not a trophy, she thought to herself. King Colin saw the look on his daughter's face. She looked like she was preparing to run away. He decided to break the silence.
"Will you be dining with us this evening?" King Colin asked King Lensley.
"Yes my lord, but we must return to our kingdom shortly after." King Lensley said.
"Thank goodness," Hermione muttered under her breath. Queen Gwen gave her a look, but Hermione pretended not to notice. Hermione couldn't stand to stay in the room any longer along with 2 unbearable suitors.
"Father, may I be excused? I am not feeling very well." She gave her father a pleading look. He knew she simply wanted to get away from her suitors.
"Certainly Mione," he said. Hermione and the king received disapproving looks from Queen Gwen.
"If your majesty does not object, may I escort the Princess to her chamber?" asked Prince Mordred.
"How very kind," said the Queen before Hermione could open her mouth. "Of course you may." Hermione rolled her eyes. She had no choice but to let him escort her. Prince Mordred offered her his arm and she politely accepted it.
As they walked out of sight, Hermione saw that Prince Vortigen had a mean look on his face. Prince Mordred began to strike up a conversation with her.
"I'm sure you've heard all about me," he said with an arrogant tone in his voice.
"Well, no actually," said Hermione rolling her eyes.
"No?!" Mordred sounded surprised. "Would you like me to tell you?"
"Well, something tells me you are going to tell me even if I were to say no," she said sarcastically.
Mordred began to tell her all about the adventures he'd had while on his travels. He kept going on and on about all the dragons he'd slain and all the princesses he'd rescued. As he was telling Hermione about one princess named Isilinwe and how she would've died if he hadn't saved her, she had never been happier to reach her chamber.
"I will see you when we dine tonight, my precious buttercup," said Mordred. It made Hermione cringe. She decided that since her mother wasn't there that she could say something back.
"I am not your buttercup," said Hermione firmly.
"Oh, but you are," Mordred said as he leaned in and tried to kiss her. She ducked just in time and made him hit his face against the wall.
"No, I'm not," she said. She tried to hold back her laughter as she went inside her chamber and slammed the door behind her. I just need to get out of here. Hermione decided to sneak out of the castle for a horse ride. She changed her clothes so that no one would recognize her as the princess if they saw her. She was in her "commoner" clothes and ready to go riding. She was used to sneaking out because there were always times when things felt overwhelming and she needed to get away. She went through the secret passage behind a large painting of her grandmother that she had in her room. The passage led her all the way to the stables.
"Hello Lia," she said as she patted her beautiful white stallion. She hated riding sidesaddle. She taught herself to ride the way men ride horses and found it much more comfortable. "Take me away from here," she said. She gave Lia a little nudge and they began to ride off into the forest.
Hey guys!! Sorry it took me so long to update, but I was out of town looking at colleges all of last week. I hope you liked this chapter. Please review!!
