Chapter 2 | les choix

les choix

Choices

"PRINCESS Olivia of the Rubies!" The Arminda announces as I step inside the hall. A familiar sigh greets me, even though the faces have been subjected to the wrath of time.

I bow to my parents, both of them sitting proudly on their white marble throne. Decorations of pure gold glitter due to the sunlight that makes way to them from the glass rooftop. Even though the sunlight is faint, it leaves it marks.

My father looks at me with eyes fill with pride and a welcoming smile on his handsome face. He might have developed some wrinkles and grey hair - but their is no denying that my father can sway the head of ladies in his direction, no matter what their age is. His red eyes provide me comfort in the toughest of times and I can't wait when we are alone and I would be enveloped in his comforting arms.

He wears a black suit - his well earned badges standing proudly against the fine black fabric. His gold crown sits proudly on his head, radiating his power and dominance throughout the room.

My mother sit next to him, her brunette hair tied in a neat bun. Her maroon gown compliments her dark red eyes. I have acquired my father's eyes, thankfully since my mother's eyes were deadly - something I didn't want to look for sure. No smile is on her face - she is as cold as ever. As her eyes meet mine, a shiver is sent through my spine and I am instantly insecure of my look. She accesses me with her eyes and when I finally see her head nod in approval, I somewhat calm down. Well, I passed the test with flying colors.

In the middle of the throne room, a pond is located filled with holy water and Henrietta flowers. Henrietta flowers are our kingdom's magical flowers, they hold the powers for the royals that will be granted to them when they are officially crowned. They have golden petals with a red ruby stone in the middle. They look absolutely stunning.

The walls are carved with the Treaty of Five Kingdoms that shine against the light that is emitted from behind the wall, the candles illuminating them. The story of Origin can also be found there, reminding us that nothing lasts forever. Every beginning has an end.

The ten members of the court sit on their marble thrones - adorned with grey bear skins to provide warmth. I bow to each one of them, I might have higher authority than them but they have earned the respect and admiration of all the Rubies.

"Welcome home, daughter." my father addresses me.

I smile, his voice warming up my heart. How much I have craved to listen to his words all these years!

"It's good to be home, your majesty." I reply, my eyes meeting his.

I can see the wide smile that forms on his face. I know he wants to know all about me - what had happened me in all these years and how life has treated me. I wanted to do the same, discuss endlessly about the books I have read in my free time, the proposals of the boys I have got as I grew up and how I had finally defeated Sir Adam. It was my proudest moment, for sure.

But in court, matters of heart are taken aback. Duty before family, as they claim.

"Lady Ankita will take you to your chambers. We shall discuss about your duties later." he says and I know I need to take a leave.

With one last look at my parents, I bow down and start walking backwards. It is extremely disrespectful to show your back to your ruler - so one needs to bow down and walk a few steps backward and then turn to take a leave. I do so and the Armindas open the gate for me to leave.

When I step outside, I am greeted by the familiar sight of my helper, Lady Ankita. She was my mother's helper before me and ha watched me grow up. She is one of those helpers that we trust. She was after all, a member of the Brown family and Mr. Brown was our family butler. He had groomed his family to serve the royal family with grace and perfection all these years. He is like a second father to me.

"Greetings, your majesty. Please follow me. We need to get you dressed for your welcoming part tonight. " she says as she bows to me. I nod and smile at her.

Something tells me that this party isn't going to be ordinary.

***

I adjust the crown on my head, taking one last look at myself in the mirror before I head to the part

I adjust the crown on my head, taking one last look at myself in the mirror before I head to the part. My sky blue gown shimmers in the light, giving it an enchanting look. With a lace back and sweetheart front, it looks absolutely stunning. I couldn't have been more proud at Ankita for designing such an amazing gown.

But a knock on the door interrupts my thoughts.

"Come in." I answer, my eyes not leaving my figure in the mirror. It is essential that I look the absolute best tonight, since my kingdom is seeing me after a long time. The times are tough for us, as I have been briefed up with by Lady Ankita while she was getting me ready.

A rebellion is on the rise, much to our dismay, demanding the removal of monarchies from the five kingdoms and combining them together. They are naive, I think. They don't recognize the consequences of their demands, how they would enrage the ones who are above even the royals and create chaos. And removal of the monarchy? That's absolutely outrageous! Us royals have sacrificed so much to be good rulers to them.

I gave up my childhood - spending my days with swords and arrows rather than toys. Learning the ways of the commoners and passing through different stimulation tests. And then they say, that we don't know the best? That we aren't fit to rule them? I am sure they don't even know a single thing about how to be a good ruler.

Hands grab my waist and I squeal. Through the mirror, I spot my dear brother. Giggles erupt from my mouth as I turn to face them, a grin on their as well as mine faces.

Alexander and Cal are twin brothers, even though they look nothing alike. Alexander is the eldest - beating Cal to the thrown by eleven minutes. But Cal has no envy against him and being twins, they are simply inseparable. Sometimes, I feel like a third wheel in between them.

Alexander has black hair, with my father's blood red eyes and freckles on his face that he got from our mother. His eyes though, always hold seriousness even though he is a fun person around his family. Cal contrasts him with his dark brown hair that he inherited from mother and her dark red eyes. But he doesn't look deathly with them since they have carelessness written all over them.

"I missed you both so much!" I exclaim as I grab them both in a tight hug.

Even as the years have passed, they were one thing that were constant in my life - meeting me every month during my training even though my parents couldn't do the same. The three of us were going to be team in future, after all.

Like my father had his brother, Sir Theodore or uncle Theo as well call him. The eldest son of the king takes the thrown, the second son becoming the commander-in-chief and the daughter holding the position of Enchantress. It has been like this forever, our genetics have this design somewhat programmed in them.

But the children of the king's siblings can although, choose to leave the life of royals. Although my aunt, Hasel chose to not be an Enchantress, hence passing the title to my mother. It was rather scandalous at that time but my father loved his sister enough to let go of her. Everything has finally settled down for her, though.

"But I know Olivia missed me more." Cal teases Alexander.

"Na, I missed you both equally." I reply back.

"That's her polite way of claiming that she missed me more." Cal says, again.

Gosh, they are never going to stop fighting over this. I know it's rather ridiculous, but then I like it when they fight for my love. Reminds me why were are such a great team.

"Olivia doesn't need to prove her love for me in words. My little sissy obviously missed me more. Now, you know the rules, pumpkin. Leave the door to your room opened at night, we will be sneaking in. We have a lot to catch on." Alexander says and I nod.

I know we have a lot to catch on. The fact that they are now married, and haven't waited for me to complete my training in order to do so. It felt like they seriously didn't want me to attend their wedding. They are just 21 and married! They seriously couldn't hold their horses when they met their mates.

I have met them, though. Alexander is married to Lady Katrina of Lagina and Cal to Lady Zara of Gerda. They had come to get my blessings for the marriage, for sure but then it didn't ease the pain of missing it.

Somethings can't be undone though.

"Sure. But make sure to bring me some chocolates. I am still pissed off at both of you." I reply.

"Yeah, for sure." they both reply instantly and I chuckle. They might not look alike but they surely have the weird twin connection between them.

"Now, let's go. You don't want to be late for the party that is meant for you." Alexander says.

I nod and the three of us leave the room.

***

Parties were a compulsion in my life - not a choice. My mother thought them to be the means of bonding with the noble Rubies so as to form alliances with them. I found them a burden, though. A burden we have to carry no matter what.

My mouth had already started paining with the smile plastered on my face and my legs were aching because of the heels I was wearing. So much for looking taller than you already are. My parents introduce me to many nobles, clearly showing me who could be trusted and who needs to be taken care of.

This is more of like a political gathering rather than my welcoming party. My brothers had already left me for their dear wives - much to my dismay. I would be lying that I didn't miss their constant company. I liked it way better when it was just the three of us. But seems like it might not happen anytime soon. Well, never actually.

I excuse myself from the bore talk, needing couple of glasses of champagne because I was seriously not sober enough to deal with all of this.

I grab a glass from the waiter, nodding at all the nobles who greet me as I pass by them. My eyes are although searching for a particular someone since I am in a dire need of his company.

As if the Gods had heard my prayers, I feel a familiar touch on my back that send current down my spine and the scent of lavender surrounds me. I just want to turn and kiss him senseless, not caring about what the others might think.

"You can't." I hear his masculine voice, that sent my knees weak.

Same old.

"But we can have a different arrangement in your room." he replies. I turn to face him, his rose red eyes send warmth to my heart - making it beat furiously in my chest. My eyes drift to his lips, the urge to kiss him.

"Sir Sebastian, what brings you here?" I tease him, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing what effect he has on me.

I had met Sebastian two years back during training, and rather than irritating me with all the talks about politics, he had actually spent time getting to know me and soon enough, had started courting me. I had surrendered my heart to him after serious thinking since I have to be cautious about it - my duties always came first to me and having a relationship required some time of mine which I didn't know I could give to him.

But with his charming blonde hair and rose red lips, he was like an addiction and his way with words always amused and calmed me down. He was the person in my life I needed. His body attracted me in ways I couldn't fathom - with the drool worthy sight of his eight pack abs. He swayed my heart, that's for sure.

"Well, that's a surprise. And I am sure your father is getting it to right now." he replies.

My attention drifts to my father, who is now addressing the audience gathered. I have no idea what is going on right now but my nerve tells me that it is not going to be something I like or even thought of.

"Dear all, love is a connection that bounds to people together and marriage is just like a seal strengthening the bond. Everyone needs your someone in their life. I found my dear wife Helen, my sons found their wives and now, my lovely daughter Olivia takes another step in her life by uniting with her life. And I, as your father and king, give you the blessing to start with this new chapter in life." my father announces and my hearts skips a beat.

And not in the right way.

I turn to find Sebastian on his knees, a diamond ring in his hands.

My mind runs a million miles an hour - this isn't at all something I was expecting. Nothing would have ever prepared me for this.

"Olivia Thorne, will you do the honor of being my wife?" he says.

And I say the first thing that comes in my mind, even my heart tells me otherwise. But I knew that this was the right thing to do.

"No."