The Castle Girl

Chapter 2

This was originally a short but I wanted to extend it further. 

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Nevins P.O.V

Her waist length chocolate hair and her bright blue eyes. She was beautiful! I polity bowed and she gracefully curtsied. What I didn't expect her to do next was  walk towards me. My heart started to race and my palms become sweaty.

She stops just a few feet away and smiles. I believe I have a huge blush on my face and look down. She comes even closer and lightly puts her soft hand under my chin and raises my down cast face. I'm greeted with a bright smile and she removes her hand. 

"Hello," she said sweetly.

"Uh, um...Hi... oh.. Um," I stutter. Gosh I'm such an idiot. 

She laughs lightheartedly. " My name is Ariela, what's yours?"

"Nevin." 

Ariela's P.O.V

Nevin...I liked the way he said it. The name flowed and I would have expected no other. He seemed nervous however and I felt bad. He shouldn't have to feel nervous even if I was a princess.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Nevin."

"Oh, it's an honor to meet you my princess," he states very formally, almost to formal for my liking.

"Please, just call me by my name. I'm fairly modest you know. Not big on titles and everything."

"Of course," he says.

After our brief conversation I knew I needed to get back to the castle. We both exchanged greetings and promised to meet at the bottom of this hill the next market day. 

" Good bye Nevin," I say with the wave of my wrist.

"Good bye princess," he says.

With that we both headed for home.

~ Back at the castle  

I raced back through the gate and into the castle. Waving at the gate guard I took the stairs by twos. I opened my door to be met with a page and Madame Kona in my sitting room. Madame Kona flagged for the page to be on his way and gestured for me to have a seat. I took it hesitantly and stared at my teacher in curiosity. 

"Princess Ariela, that page came with a very important message sent by your father." Madame said. 

Oh my, I thought, this must be truly important.

" Because this upcoming year you'll be turning fifteen, the age in which a royal will court to find a husband; Your father, King of Polaris, has sent for you to live with him in the imperial city of Mydona ( mi-done-ya)  so that the choice selection may begin."

Seriously, my father wants me to live with him! This day couldn't get any better. I was so excited to see him after 13 years without him. 

"Before you get to excited princess, the news gets better," she said with a smile. " You may chose a friend to come and be your lady in waiting or squire, your father thinks it's a good idea because you are the only child. Choose wisely though and choose soon, we will leave at the end of the month to ensure that your entrance is announced."

This news was greater then anything I could imaging. There was only a slight problem though. What friends did I have? I mostly talked to the cook and Madame Kona, and she was already coming with me. What a decision to make...

Nevins P.O.V

Meeting her, hearing her voice, her name. Today was defiantly something. Sitting by the fire with my little sister and mother life couldn't get any better. 

"Nevin, you look awfully happy today," my 8 year old sister Bre said.

"Well of course Bre, I think I met the love of my life," I chuckled half joking.

" Well it's about time your stubborn boy," my mom laughed.

I mean it truly was. Being 16, most of the boys in my village had found their sweat hearts or started the courting process. The courting process is sort of funny though. A girl who turns fifteen can start accepting invitations to be courted. It's not until their 16 that a deal can be made by both families and after the deal and dowry making process is settled she can be married at 17 or 18. 

A boy on the other hand starts to notice girls when he's 16. Then he'd give an invitations to the girl he likes, then the process continues until a settlement can be made and a marriage happens. The new couple will either go and build their own farm or stay with the family to be passed down they old homestead.  

I however haven't been looking for a girl. Half in hopes that fate would bring me the perfect girl and half that I'd get to know the princess. She obviously hasn't turned fifteen yet of her father would have called for her right? If thats the case then I'm willing to wait and to get to know her. It would probably never work though considering her status. 

I settled my gaze from thew flickering flames to my younger sister. Since my father passed away from an unknown sickness when I was young I've been the provider and protector of this family. My dear mother is healthy though. She's strong, and smart minded and teaches my sister well. My mom is also a skilled silk dyer in our village and we are fairly well off. This is also thanks to out King. I've heard stories of him being stubborn but I feel he's just and organized and has done well to provide for the country. 

I get up and pick my now sleeping sister up and place her on the bed in the corner of the house. My mom smiles and beckons me to sit next to her. 

" So, who's this girl that has stolen my sons heart." She says with a smile

" Mother, she is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. Her long golden brown hair goes past her waist and her bright blue eyes and like a clear sky."

" Oh boy, she's really got you around her finger, may I ask who this lovely lady is?" my mom says.

" I wish you could meet her, I truly do; however she isn't really at "our status." I say with a faded smile.    

My mother looks down and gives me a smile. " Nevin, there is nothing that hasn't stopped you from your dreams and If this girl loves you and you love her I'd pray for you to purse her no matter what." 

With that she gets up and walks over to her bed. I get up myself and crawl in beside Bre and she nudges up to my shoulder. 

" Maybe," I thought. 

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** I'm actually loving where this story is going, I'm defiantly gonna try some things out. Needless to say this wont be a short anymore!

Thanks 

E. Emeree