Chapter 2 CHAPTER TWO
ROSALINDA
We all sat at the huge dining table, which was laden with trays of roasted meats, glistening vegetables and decadent parties. I sat opposite Zade, the expanse of polished mahogany between us felt both vast and strangely intimate. From time to time, I'd steal glances at him, a sneaky little habit I had developed to observe without being too obvious. And well... I guess they were right, he wasn't like the rest.
He wasn't just more handsome than every other Princes, unlike them, he seemed to genuinely care about everyone around him, the well-being of his servants and guards meant a lot to him, before he even settled in his chambers, he ensured they had been properly taken care of in their own quarters. He didn't bark orders or snap his fingers for attention. He ate with grace, even complimenting the chef's delicate hand with genuine enthusiasm. He noticed every detail and was extremely intelligent and left excellent outstanding remarks when topics were brought up.
But I wasn't willing to loosen my guard. Oh no. Men were masters of charades, humans rather- surely he must have heard things about my notoriously picky nature and decided to add some spice to his performance. Impressive, yes, but not too much. My cynical mind clung to its defenses like a limpet to a rock.
I almost choked in my wine when our eyes met across the table. Damn him and his intoxicating blue eyes. They held a depth that made me feel like I was teetering on the edge of a cliff. My cheeks flushed, a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the wine.
"Are you alright?" He drawled, his voice a low honeyed rumble that made my heart flutter in a way I hated to admit.
"Yes, why do you ask?" I managed, trying to sound aloof, like someone who hasn't just inhaled half a glass of liquid in a desperate attempt to regain composure.
He smiled softly and shook his head, making his spun-gold hair fall artfully over his forehead. "Nothing, just a sudden charming blush."
My father, bless his heart, seized the moment, and I couldn't be more grateful. "So, Prince Zade," he began, clearing his throat, his gaze flickering between us like a hawk watching two pigeons. "May I ask what you think of our daughter?"
I take it back, he didn't sezied the moment. He made it worse.
Zade's eyes stared at me for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. Then he smiled, a wider, more genuine smile this time and turned to my father. "She's an excellent woman, Your Majesty. Far from what I had expected,"
"Oh?" I interjected, unable to press down the curiosity in me. "What did you expect?"
He turned back to me. "Many things. Perhaps a typical princess concerned only with courtly gossip, or needlepoint, or the latest fashion," he leaned in slightly, resting his chin on his clasped hands. "You're different from many other princesses my father had asked me to marry. You don't seem to care about witty things, you're brave, smart and sharp tongue. You keep me intrigued. Your love and admiration for your people and appreciation for war is quite charming- yet dangerous," he paused, his smile widening, the corner of his lips twitched upward in a way that revealed a hint of playful mischief. "I half expected to be bored, But Princess Rosalinda, I'm rather flattered. And for the first time in a very long time, a woman has left me speechless."
My heart surely must have skipped hundreds of beats because I was so utterly speechless, my jaw was probably hanging open like a forgotten gate. Flattered? Speechless? Does he mean I'm unique? I mean I do know I am...but hearing him say that..just feels...so sweet.
Especially the fact it was in front of my parents!
This wasn't the script I'd prepared for, I had mentally prepared myself for another harsh comment or disdain towards my preferences but hell! I felt a blush, a real one this time that crept up my neck.
"Well...I...." I cleared my throat, struggling to maintain my composure. I shrugged, trying to play it cool despite the internal heat. "I could say you're okay, I guess."
Okay? Really Rosalinda? That's the best you've got?
He laughed, a sound that seemed to fill the room, and for the first time, I noticed two charming dimples deepen in my cheeks. That sight, utterly unexpected and genuinely endearing, made a small involuntary smile bloom on my own lips.
"In that case, Princess," he said, his eyes still sparkling. "Shall we go for a walk after this dinner? Away from parental oversight?"
"Sure." I said a little too quickly, then cursed myself for the eagerness in my voice. I turned to look at my parents. My father's impassive face had softened, a hint of approval in his eyes. My mother was beaming, vibrating with glee, she winked at me, a blatant embarrassed yet sweet gesture.
After dinner, we took a walk outside the palace walls. Unlike the rest of the other princes, who always insisted on dragging a dozen heavily armed guards along. Zade preferred we go alone with just two guards walking a respectful distance behind us, their footsteps muffled by the soft grass. He was also dressed down causally, no royal finery, no ostentatious display.
God- he's so amazing.
Wait what? Rosalinda get hold of yourself! It's been barely a day!
I cleared my throat as we got to the beach, the familiar scent of salt and seaweed filled my lungs. I stood, admiring it's rhythmic waves and it's ethereal glow under the midnight moon, a silver path stretching across the water.
"Actually," I began, gathering my thoughts. "You're also quite different from what I imagined," I turned to look at him, catching an expression of genuine shock and then amusement.
He smiled, that disarming dimpled smile again. "I guess that's great then,"
"But," I frowned, the familiar weight of duty settling down on me. "I simply don't want to get married because of politics. I want to feel and know what love is, I want to know and understand whom I'll be spending the rest of my love with. I don't want to be handed off like a prize pig to the highest bidder,"
He fully turned to face me, his gaze serious, then reached out and held my hand softly. His touch was warm, comforting and firm. "You're even better than I thought,"
"Ugh?" I blinked, thrown off by the intensity of his words.
"You aren't the only one who seeks to be happy. I do too. But the lives we are meant for.."
"Are ruled by our parents, but we want something more," I finished for him, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.
He looked up at me, wide eyed, a surprised understanding in their depths. "Yes. They are."
"Perhaps we can change that?"
His smile now widened, reaching his eyes. "Yes, maybe we can. We can take some time to study each other more...but I do know that my initial judgement of you won't change," he leaned in, his blonde hair brushing against my cheek, and gently pecked my cheek. "You're amazing and brave. I admire that."
I was probably going to explode from heat right now. Just as my lips parted to respond, I felt someone approaching us, their heavy boots crunching on the sand. I turned to see one of his guards walking towards us. I rolled my eyes as I turned making Zade chuckle.
"Prince Zade, Princess Rosalinda," the guard said, his voice a low rumble from behind his polished steel helmet as he bowed. "Forgive me for interrupting. But My Lord, your attention is needed, it's quite urgent."
My eyes narrowed, a flash of irritation flaring. Gods above, can't I even have one moment of a vaguely interesting conversation without some crisis erupting? I glanced at Zade, half expecting him to brush off the interruption with a regal wave. But instead his expression had shifted, the amused glint in his blue eyes replaced by a sharp intensity.
"What is it?" His voice was now devoid of its earlier warmth, now a cold, authoritative command that sent a shiver down my spine.
The guard, even though he still had his helmet on, I could feel his eyes darting between Zade and I. His shoulders seemed to slump, with slow movements, he unlatched his helmet.
The dull metallic clock echoed. The moment he lifted it off, revealing his face, my breath hitched in my throat. My carefully constructed composure shattered like cheap glass. I felt the color drain from my face, leaving me cold and utterly confused.
I met familiar gray orbs I had thought I'd never see again. Those eyes, etched into the past of my youth, orbs that haunted my dreams for years. His sharp gaze, the faint scar above his left eyebrow- it was unmistakable. A boy I had thought I lost years ago, vanished without a trace. he was now an adult, older, harder, standing in front of me, in Prince Zade's guard uniform.
The moment our eyes met, a flicker of recognition clashed through his own, it was brief, but it was there. My heart, which seemed to stop altogether, lodged somewhere in my throat. A phantom ache blossomed in my chest, a memory of childish laughter and shared secrets.
Grayson?