Today was the day of Lord Nobel Michel the 13th' s birthday celebrations. But yet as again, I was brought to Nobel Michel Castle. There wasn't really any reason for me to come, but... Claude was unable to come, so it was decided last moment that I would in his place.
(It's odd that I should come to replace Claude though...)
(I haven't talked with Prince Wilfred since that happened as if we do talk here...)
I walked a step behind Prince Wilfred as I thought.
(But... I wonder if Prince Wilfred wants to pretend that kiss never happened...)
I stared at Prince Wilfred's back as I recalled what had happened that night.
~Back then~
I felt the heat of his lips on mine and I pressed my hand against his chest.
Regina: "Prince... Wilfred..."
My voice bubbled from the space between our lips and Prince Wilfred withdrew from the kiss. He looked into my eyes briefly before staring down.
Wilfred: "...I'm sorry."
Regina: "About... what...?"
Wilfred: "For... that..."
He cupped my face in his hand as he spoke.
Wilfred: "I didn't mean to..."
He lowered his hand and it's seemed to deliberately make his face go blank, void of any emotion. His cold appearance stirred up feelings of uneasiness within me.
(Didn't mean to...? Prince Wilfred...)
In the next moments, he said words I didn't want to hear...
Wilfred: "Forget it."
With those final words, Prince Wilfred left me in the room by myself, wondering what had just happened.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since then, those words never left my mind.
(Telling me to forget... as if I ever could...)
I sighed at the thought. I was still going to the office to take care of the flowers, but Prince Wilfred didn't come once. So today was the first time as I had been this close to him for a while.
(Maybe... did Claude do this for us?)
As thinking about what Claude had asked me, I looked towards Prince Wilfred's profile.
(That's not likely...)
As noticing my stares, Prince Wilfred glanced back at me.
Wilfred: "Let's go."
Regina: "Okay..."
Prince Wilfred walked briskly towards the castle. I had only come in order to assist and I kept behind him as we walked. I was not there as an escort today. Although I understood that in my head and it still saddened me a little.
(But, I'm here in place of Claude.)
(I must follow Prince Wilfred just as he would.)
Just as I was thinking this, Prince Wilfred stopped and he turned on the spot.
(Oh...)
As then, he held out his hand to me.
Wilfred: "This doesn't feel right..."
I blushed a little bit at his words and I took his hand.
(Prince Wilfred...)
Wilfred: "Come on, let's go."
Regina: "Okay..."
We continued on to the castle as he led me by the arm. It was more like being pulled along than being an escort. Even so, his hand on mine felt warm. He seemed not to care as people around stared.
(But I guess he still feels that kiss meant nothing. But, still...)
He led me into the castle as I kept my thoughts to myself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once we were inside, I was overwhelmed with the amount of activity going on. Just then, I spotted the King and Queen of Philip out of the corner of my eye.
(Oh, the King and Queen are here too...)
Next to them, I saw Claude in attendace.
(Claude? But he told me he wasn't able to come...?)
(Oh, maybe he meant that he has to wait on the King and Queen...)
(So that's why he asked me to wait on Prince Wilfred?)
(Hm? Is that...)
Regina: "!?"
(King and Queen from of Rose Kingdom!? It's my father and mother! And... my little sister too... oh my gosh... I'm so happy. My butler Sebastian is here too!)
I heard a voice call behind us.
???: "Oh hello Wilfred, Miss Regina."
I looked and I saw Miss Cecille smiling at us.
Cecille: "You two are as close as ever."
There was no hint of jealousy in her voice as she spoke to us.
Wilfred: "It's not any business of yours who I keep company with."
As with that, Prince Wilfred walked away from us, he heading to the center of the hall.
(Oh...)
Cecille: "Hmm. Before he was always so straight faced, I never knew what he was thinking..."
Cecille: "But there's something different about him lately..."
Cecille: "I wonder if that's your influence, Miss Regina?"
Miss Cecille gave a carefree laugh and I tentatively opened my mouth to ask.
Regina: "Excuse me... Miss Cecille?"
Cecille: "Yes?"
Regina: "Um... are you okay with His Highness and me..."
Regina: "Well, speaking so friendly to one another...?"
Miss Cecille held her head sideways once I'd asked. Then she laughed.
Cecille: "Oh, you mean because I'm his fiancee?"
Her words struck me straight to the heart.
Regina: "Yes..."
Cecille: "Well you see, I'm only really engaged to the next King of Philip..."
(Wait what?)
I couldn't work out what she meant by that.
Cecille: "Oh, well."
Cecille: "It's not a marriage so much as it's a contract between the Spencers and my family, the Germaines."
Cecille: "So there are no real feelings of love or affection."
She spoke with complete frankness. Her story was so different than what I had imagined, I didn't know what to say next.
Regina: "Is, that so..."
(But, what about how Prince Wilfred and Cecille feel?)
Regina: "Oh..."
I made to speak, but Miss Cecille had just noticed the Queen's presence.
Cecille: "Oh, please excuse me. I should go and pay my respects."
Regina: "Oh, okay."
I swallowed my own words and I watched as Miss Cecille made her way over to the Queen.
(An arranged marriage between the Spencers and the Germaines... wait... it's a fake!?)
(But then... what happens to Prince Wilfred and Miss Cecille's feelings?)
The Queen saw Miss Cecille approaching her and she smiled warmly.
(Ugh...)
It was a smile as she had never shown to me, and it made my heart ache uncontrollably.
(But I guess... they have thoughts and feelings that complete different than a commoner like me- no! I'm not a commoner! I'm lost daughter of Princess!)
As I stood thinking to myself, I felt a hand clap over my mouth and someone who whispered in my ear.
???: "Marriage is just a contract... sad way of thinking , isn't it?"
I turned around to see Prince Stephen standing there.
Regina: "Oh, Your Highness. You're here as well."
Prince Stephen's expression wavered at my words.
Stephen: "Oh, well... I had a message from my mother that there was going to be an announcement and that I should be here."
Regina: "An announcement...?"
Prince Stephen gave a non-committal nod at my question and then he looked sideways at me.
Stephen: "Why are you here...?"
Regina: "Well... I came in the place of Claude."
Stephen: "In place of Claude? But I just saw him."
Regina: "I know. But I saw him too, but..."
Regina: "I figured it's because he's so busy attending Their Majesties that he asked me."
Prince Stephen raised his eyebrows a bit.
Stephen: "I see. By the way, is my father's health not very good?"
Regina: "Oh..."
(Oh... Prince Stephen has only heard reports about his father's collapse.)
Regina: "Oh, no he's okay. It appears it wasn't anything serious and he ate breakfast with us this morning."
Regina: "But I think he'll be alright."
Prince Stephen looked relieved at my reply.
Stephen: "Thank you. I'd only heard bits and pieces from Claude."
Stephen: "So, I guess my mother is here just in case anything happens."
He directed his eyes towards the Queen as he spoke.
Stephen: "Though... I wonder why Claude asked you to come here...?"
Prince Stephen rested his chin on his hand as he spoke.
(Why? Isn't it because Claude's with the King and Queen...?)
Regina: "Oh... what do you..."
Stephen: "Oh, no never mind. Anyway, it looks as if Lord Michel is ready to speak."
I followed Prince Stephen's gaze to see Mike was accompanied by Zain, standing on the dais.
Nobel: "My apologies for summoning you all here for an old fool like me."
Nobel: "However, considering I don't have many years remaining to me, I am honored to have you all here."
Mike laughed as he spoke.
Nobel: "In order to give everyone a good time, I have planned the best enterainment possible."
Nobel: "If you have any requests, please mention them to Zain here."
Mike looked around at everyone in the room.
Nobel: "Since we have so many guests here..."
Nobel: "Could I perhaps hear a couple of words from each of you?"
Everyone smiled at Mike's request and took a step forward.
Nobel: "Good, good."
Nobel: "Now perhaps if I could hear from the Kingdom of Liberty first?"
As with that, the King of Liberty stepped forward.
Liberty King: "Please allow me to..."
Everyone turned their attention to the King of Liberty as he spoke. Next to Liberty's King stood with Prince Keith and his butler standing in attendance.
(Even Prince Keith looks regal standing with his family like that...)
I felt a wave of sadness flow over me and I found myself looking around the room. I saw Claude moving towards Prince Wilfred.
(Oh...)
Claude whispered something in Prince Wilfred's ear and withdrew. A gloomy expression fell on Prince Wilfred's face.
(I wonder what's wrong...)
As I watched, Prince Wilfred turned my way and he looked me om the eye.
(Wait what?)
I was surprised at his look as he seemed as if he had something he wanted to say to me.
(Prince Wilfred...?)
As trying to capture what he was thinking, I automatically took a step towards him. But I can't... what if my mother, father and my little sister see me. But I have to tell them as they missed me. However, within a moment Prince Wilfred's face was void of emotion. And, as if he was trying to shake something off, he averted his eyes.
(Why...?)
My heart began to throb uneasilly. He looked to me as if he had erased all his feelings. And then with alarmingly cold eyes, he began to walk towards somewhere.
(Prince Wilfred...)
Unaware of what I was doing, I tried to follow him, and ran into someone. I lost my balance and tripped.
(Oh...!)
My hands hit the floor light as those around looked down towards me. But I felt tears rolls downs my cheeks... so I let out crying.
Little Girl A: "Mommy... there's lady was crying."
(Oh no... I can't stop crying.)
Amidst the stir of people around, I heard the sound of someone running in my direction. I turned towards the footsteps to see Prince Wilfred pushing his way through the crowd. He came closer and he held out his hand to me.
Wilfred: "What do you think you are doing? You should be more careful!"
(Prince Wilfred...)
I took his proffered hand and I stood up.
Regina: "Thank you... but I'm sorry... I just can't..."
Wilfred: "You're such a crybaby..."
He said when I pout, but he drew in my ear as whispered.
Wilfred: "Your parents and sister are here, they're looking for you."
Regina: "!?"
Wilfred: "Now I can't leave you alone for worries sake."
His voice was soft and I could feel his warm hand on mine. They made my previous feelings of unease fade.
(It must have been my imagination, Prince Wilfred is by my side now...)
Just when I was thinking that... a woman's voice rang out from across the floor.
???: "We would like to thank you whole heartedly Lord Michel for inviting us to your birthday celebrations."
???: "We are extremely honored to be here."
It was a familiar voice and I looked to see who it belonged to. The Queen of Philip had begun to say her greetings.
Wilfred: "Mother..."
Prince Wilfred voice was a whisper, and he was drowned out by the Queen's.
Queen: "I know it is usual for the head of the royal household to voice our congratulations..."
Queen: "I'm sure you are already aware but His Majesty's health has been poor, so I apologize..."
Queen: "As I give our regards in his place."
Her dignified expression was that of a great Queen, and my eyes were transfixed on her.
Queen: "I also have more to say."
Queen: "If we may we would like to take this opportunity to make an announcement."
Mike and Zain faced towards her with a look of amusement.
Nobel: "Oh? What kind of announcement?"
Queen: "It is of course wondeful to be celebrating the day Lord Michel entered the world."
Queen: "But we also have some great new for the Kingdom of Philip."
(Great news...?)
My heart began to make a ruckus as if warning me of some kind of danger. Just then, Prince Wilfred squeezed my hand tight.
(Prince Wilfred...?)
I quietly turned my head to look at him as he stare at the Queen with a blank expression. But I wasn't able to say anything so I just stared at his face and I felt the warmth of his fingers. The Queen's next words seemed to want to tear us apart, as her voice echoed throughout the hall.
Queen: "Wilfred and Miss Cecille! Could you please come here!?"
A moment after the Queen spoke, Prince Wilfred's hand let go of me. The warmth I had felt up until that point disappeared in an instant. My feelings of unease doubled. I watched Prince Wilfred as he hurried away.
(What's going on...?)
Regina: "Prince Wilfred..."
As I thought when I saw him twitch at my call as he walked away. But he appeared to shake it off... as he made his way up to the dais to meet the Queen. Miss Cecille followed him up.
(They can't be...)
My body seemed to go numb as I was frozen to the spot.
(This is...)
Then, I heard a voice tinged with a sigh behind me.
???: "So they're going to do it..."
I turned around to see Prince Stephen with a hard look on his face.
Stephen: "He's having to shoulder everything all because of me..."
Regina: "Everything...?"
Stephen: "Yes, I feel bad for me. And for Cecille..."
With those words he looked straight at me.
Stephen: "And for you, too."
(That means...)
I was stuck within my own emotions and the Queen continued to speak from the dais.
Queen: "Our own Prince Wilfred and Miss Cecille of the Germaine family are formally engaged to be wed."
Queen: "Their marriage will take place soon."
(Marriage...?)
The cries of joy throughout the room brought me out of my stupor.
(No... no...!)
It was as if I was on a different plain of existence than those around me. In my eyes as I could see the Queen smiling happily from up on the dais. And, standing next to her, Prince Wilfred and Miss Cecille. Prince Wilfred showed no outward sign of emotion and Miss Cecille looked slighly uneasy. But even to me, they looked as if they suited one another.
(So, now their engagement has been made formal...)
My eyes misted over and I found it difficult to stand. Prince Stephen was at my side and at that moment, he grabbed my arm.
Stephen: "Are you alright?"
I saw Prince Stephen's worried expression.
Regina: "Yes... but I'm sorry..."
I was able to say that much as he supported me.
Stephen: "You should probably go outside for some fresh air."
And with Prince Stephen urging me to do so, I smiled sadly when I spoke.
Regina: "Sorry... you have to hear me as who I am..."
Stephen: "Huh?"
He let me go as he confused when I turn around as I yelled.
Regina: "I have an enough!?"
Everyone startled when they looked at me.
Regina: "Marriage? What a joke! Thanks to Cecille who told me about contract! Fake Marriage!?"
All guests was gasp when the Queen angry cause her face are red once she spoke, but I cuts off her.
Regina: "I don't care about stupid fake marriage!?"
Regina: "You know about photo on the paper as who am I with Prince Wilfred!?"
I glare at the Queen when she flinched, but I glance at my mother and father and my little sister was looking at me.
(This is it...)
Regina: "I am- no... I, Princess Regina of Rose Kingdom! A lost daughter of Princess is me!?"
All of guests was gasps again when the Queen widen her eyes as she shocked. My parents and little sister was shocked.
Guest A: "The Princess Regina is alive!?"
Regina's Mother (Queen) & Father (King): "Regina!?"
Regina: "Mother! Father!"
I runs toward to them when my mother and father come down as they hugged me tightly.
Regina's Father (King): "Thank god! I'm so worried about you!"
Regina: "Mother... Father... I'm sorry when you two worried about me."
I said when my parents let go of me as I saw my little sister who toward to me and she glomp me and we falled down.
Regina: "Whoa there, Megina!"
Megina: "Hehehe. I miss you big sister~"
All Guests: "Awwww~"
I smiled when I kisses my little sister Megina's forehead.
Regina's Mother (Queen): Regina, why don't you take your sister to go to the outside.
Regina: "Of course mother."
Megina: "Yaaaay~ outside, outside."
Regina: "Hahaha."
I took my little sister Megina to go outside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stephen: "Claude has really outdone himself this time."
Regina: "Huh? Why?"
Stephen: "He would have asked you to come just so you had to witness that."
I was shocked at his suggestion.
(No way... but then... that's why Claude asked me to come in his place...?)
Stephen: "But, looking at those two... do you think they knew?"
Upon being asked, I thought back to earlier... when Claude had whispered something in Prince Wilfred's ear.
(Maybe that was when...)
Stephen: "I didn't know you are a Princess."
Regina: "That's why I am lost daughter of Princess. My parents and my little sister Megina missed me."
Stephen: "I see."
His pleading eyes. The warmth of his hand on mine. The pieces came together one by one.
(But in the end, Prince Wilfred has acknowledged his engagement to Miss Cecille...)
Stephen: "I thought I should say something to him, because it was me who had forced all this on him..."
I looked towrds Prince Stephen.
Stephen: "I should have told him to choose who he wants to marry for love..."
(I think so too, but...)
Regina: "Excuse me, Your Highness... may I ask why... you renounced your claim to the throne and left the castle?"
It was something that had been bothering me and Prince Stephen smiled at my inqisitiveness.
Stephen: "A while back, Lord Michel was very kind to me..."
Regina: "Lord Michel...?"
Stephen: "Yes, so then..."
Stephen: "When he fell sick, I felt I wanted to become a doctor to take care of great people like him."
Regina: "I see..."
Prince Stephen laughed.
Stephen: "It's this way of thinking I have, it means I'm not suitable to become king."
He looked at me kindly as he spoke.
Stephen: "I do care for my country, but even so..."
Stephen: "I tend to look more towards the individual."
Regina: "Your Highness...?"
Stephen: "So Wilfred is then sacrificed by my running away and becomes next in line to be king."
Regina: "You see him as being sacrificed...?"
Prince Stephen continued as if being pressed on my whispered words.
Stephen: "He can't marry the person what he likes..."
Stephen: "He has to succeed to a throne as he doesn't want..."
Stephen: "If that isn't a sacrifice, what else do you call it?"
And at those words, Prince Stephen cast his eyes down with a sigh.
Stephen: "But I do want both about Wilfred and Cecille to be happy."
Stephen: "I know I'm not in any kind of position to say anything, but..."
Stephen: "I want them to be with the one they truly care for."
Regina: "So that means..."
As I began to speak, but Prince Stephen gave a small nod.
Stephen: "Yeah, I know. Because of my position it'll be very difficult, but..."
Prince Stephen looked directly at me as he spoke. His eyes were deep and it's seemed to look straight through me.
Stephen: "Are you okay with things being this way?"
(About me...?)
I became inundated with my own feelings as I thought about his question. I became so engulfed in my own mixed emotions, I was unable to answer him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, life continued as normal at the castle. Even though so much had changed, on the surface, time passed peacefully as if nothing had happened.
(Oh...)
As I was walking down the corridor after tending the flowers... I saw Claude approaching from the opposite direction. It was the first time I had see him since the party. He appeared unfazed as he came towards me.
Claude: "Thank you for attending Prince Wilfred for me about yesterday."
Claude: "But you did it... you're strong woman."
I looked towards his shallow smile and questioned him instinctively.
Regina: "Claude... did you know they were going to annouce the engagement yesterday?"
I said when he smiled brightly in reply.
Claude: "Of course."
Regina: "So that's why..."
I righted myself as I began to lose the ability to speak and I looked at Claude.
Regina: "That's why you asked me to go to the party?"
Claude looked at me with a blank expression and then he nodded.
Claude: "Yes."
I sighed when I spoke.
Regina: "And why would you do that?"
Claude smiled inappropriately at my question.
Claude: "Why? I thought you would have worked that out for yourself? But you're a Princess."
I groaned slightly at his cool appearance and tone. I had an eerie feeling come over me as silence fell around us. I was rooted to the spot as I stared at Claude.
Claude: "M'lady Regina... I think it's because you're a nuisance..."
I choked with emotion at being told so directly.
(A nuisance...?)
Claude: "But I didn't know what to do up until now..."
Claude: "But it has been my job to care for both Thir Highnesses, Prince Wilfred and Prince Stephen for years..."
Regina: "I understand that, but..."
Claude glared at me.
Claude: "No, you don't M'lady Regina! You have absolutely no idea!"
His tone was so harsh as I found it hard to breathe.
Regina: "Clau..."
Claude: "If anyone threatens His Royal Highness's position, no matter who it is, so I will not be forgiving!"
With those words, Claude spun around and he left.
(So that's what he thought of me all along...)
I suddenly felt somewhat out of place. It was then I truly realized. I must have been pretending cause I didn't notice it. I had been in the way the whole time.
(That's it... I'm such an idiot. But I can't stay here any longer...)
Regina: "You are such an idiot Claude..."
I said when I started head back to my room. I had walked a little down the corridor when I noticed somebody was nearby. I strained my eyes to see Prince Wilfred was standing in the shadow of a pillar.
(Prince Wilfred...?)
He looked pained as he stared intently at something. I followed the direction of his gaze.
(What!?)
There I saw a man and woman embracing one another is.... Miss Cecille and Prince Stephen!
(But why are those two...?)
I stood frozen in place with confusion from what am I was seeing when I cover my mouth with my both hands. My unrequited desire for Prince Wilfred. And Prince Wilfred's own hidden feelings. And now, the sight of Prince Stephen and Miss Cecille holding one another.
(What.... what's going on here...?)
Consumed by my incoherent thoughts, I stood there silently as I stared into the shadows.
~End of Chapter 12~
To Be Continued....