Annette

" Then I'll marry him."

She said.

Her father looked surprised for a moment but he quickly concealed his emotions.

"I'll go back now father , thank you for telling me about all this."

She forced herself to smile and quickly made her way towards her room. She was looking down the whole time , biting her lip to stop herself from crying.

To stop the tears from falling down. Her body was trembling. Every step felt so big. She couldn't see anything because of the tears.

Just why??? Why would he do that??? Why would the crown prince propose to her??

Everything was a mess. She couldn't do anything.

"(Hicc)....(hicc)...."

She was sobbing now. Just then she saw Aaron come out of his room. She looked at him.

He was looking at her sadly. He had heard her cries on the stairs.

He held her hand and took her to his room. He made her sit on the bed and crouched in front of her.

" Did he tell you?"

He was asking about that incident.

"(Hicc) yes."

She replied.

Aaron wiped the tears falling from her eyes with his thumb and caressed her face. He sat next to her and embraced her.

"You're fine Annette. Don't think too much about this matter , no one's going to force you."

She hugged him tightly and sobbed

...........

She didn't know how much time had passed since he hugged her , but it was evening and the maid was calling them to come down.

She quickly stood up and looked at the mirror. Her eyes were red and and swollen. Her face was so red from all the crying.

Aaron stood up and turned her to face him. He kissed her forehead lightly.

"I'll ask them to bring our food here."

Maybe he knew what she was thinking. Annette smiled softly and went back to sit on the bed.

After a few minutes , some maids came and started putting the dishes on the table. Annette and Aaron made their way to the table and sat in front of each other.

Aaron knew about her favourite dishes surprisingly. Even the things she didn't like.

"How do you know all this."

She was honestly curious.

"Well...., I used to write letters to Arlen and he told me all about your favourites."

"Oh"

She was surprised , she didn't know he cared so much.

"I care about you Annette , that's why , please tell me if you really want to marry the crown prince."

"I-"

But she couldn't finish because the door opened suddenly and an angry Arlen barged in.

" Who does he think he is!! , how could he just ignore me."

He was clenching his fists tightly.

"What happened?? Why are you so angry??"

Aaron asked him.

"I went to visit the crown prince but they refused to let me meet him."

He grumbled.

"Why?"

Annette asked hesitantly.

"Because , father was inside."

He answered in a small voice. His face was getting red because of the embarrassment.

Aaron and Annette looked at each other and then burst out laughing.

"Hey!!...it's not that funny."

"So you DO think that it's funny."

Aaron said between his laughs. Annette chuckled.

"You should join us."

Annette offered him a seat.

"I would love to , but I have to talk to father."

With that , Arlen went out of the room.

"My-my lady!!!"

One of her maids came into the room suddenly.

"I'm sorry."

She quickly bowed after seeing Aaron.

"What's the matter Sasha."

Annette asked her , frowning when she saw a letter in her hand.

"A letter from the royal family has arrived for you."

Sasha exclaimed.

"What?!"

Aaron was surprised too.

He snatched the letter from the maid's hands and quicky read it.

"What does it say?"

Annette was curious too.

"Haaaa...., The crown prince has invited you to meet him tomorrow."

He said , rubbing his forehead. Annette froze.

____

(THE NEXT DAY)

Annette got ready hesitantly. She was getting ready to meet the crown prince.

The royal carriage was waiting outside their mansion.

Annette peeked out the window and then at herself in the mirror.

She was wearing a light gown. It was white with shades of pink in it , adorned with white and golden beads , the sleeves were plain , with a hint of some light needlework at the ends.

It was elegant.

At last the maid handed her white gloves. Annette wore the gloves and made her way outside.

Her father and brothers were standing at the end of the stairs. Annette was nervous.

"Don't worry sister , we'll always have your back."

Arlen caressed her face. Annette smiled.

"Be careful of your words Annette , the queen may visit the two of you."

Her father interrupted.

"Why would the queen visit father?"

She was confused.

"To check if you really had the potential to be a crown princess."

She was scared now. She didn't know what would happen if she made a mistake.

.......

Annette was nervous the whole time in the carriage. She looked at Jessy , her attendant.

Jessy was the one who always accompanied her to formal meetings or tea parties.

But the night of that party , Jessy had a fever so she decided to go alone.

If she had taken another attendant , then maybe she wouldn't have met the crown prince.

But there was no point to regret now. The past is the past. She couldn't turn back time.

But somehow ,.......the thought of not meeting the crown prince made her uneasy. It was a weird feeling.

The carriage stopped in front of the crown prince's palace. Annette got out with the help of her attendant.

She looked at the magnificent site in front of her. She would have to live here for some time if she became the crown princess.

She hated that idea. She hated being away from her family.

Would she really be the crown princess?? This thought was killing her inside.

She was walking slowly, not focusing on her surroundings when she bumped into something or rather , 'someone'.

Annette touched her forehead and looked up to see who she had bumped into but she regretted it as soon as she met the eyes of Aiden Ruelle.

"I.... greet the crown prince of the empire......"

She bowed lightly.

"It's nice to see you again lady Valentin."

The crown prince seemed distant....., He was different from before ,......it felt...........cold.

Annette was anxious. Why was the crown prince acting so coldly...., She didn't know how to act around him now.

"Do I have your permission to be your escort today , Lady Valentin?"

He offered his arm to her.

"Yes...,of course."

She took his arm hesitantly and they started making there way towards the garden.

Annette wasn't excited to see the garden anymore. Everytime she thought about it......, That incident came to her mind.

On the other hand, Aiden was wondering why the lady next to him was getting more and more tense as they came near the gardens.

He felt her clutching his arm tighter as the pathway of the garden came to sight.

Aiden didn't know why she was reacting that way.....but he had a clue.

____
(TBC)