3

When I wake up, I dress in black sports leggings and a slightly warmer long-sleeved sweater. I leave my room, but I realize that I don't know where to go.

I move at random. I find it easily in a hallway with several doors on the sides. I'm about to turn back when a man I know comes out of one of these rooms.

His eyes scan me from head to toe. He comes dangerously close to me. Petrified, I dare not step back or run like crazy.

The man is only a few centimeters from me. His fiery gaze burns my skin.

- Can I know your name my pretty?

-In what honor? I challenge him.

-Well.. I'm in a position of power so...

-I see. You are using your status to pressure me to tell you my identity. Very ingenious your Highness.

I cross my arms. He thinks I'll pass one quickly. What a moron!

-Call me Silvio. And stop this formality. It's getting old!

He clings to me like an octopus to its prey. I silently call for help and pray for a servant to get me out of there.

-Do you belong to someone? Silvio asks me.

-What?

-I will be more clear; are you my brother's property?

-I...

-Yes. Absolutely, answers a voice that comforts me.

What I was hoping for finally happened. Someone saved me from this strange situation. Éloys takes me by the shoulders and pulls me against his chest. My back is now glued against the chest of the other prince.

-My apologies, bro, for trying to take it from you. You see, she's very tempting, Silvio replies, running his tongue over his lower lip.

An unpleasant shiver runs through my long back to finish its course at my fingertips. Éloys tightens his hands on my poor shoulders.

-I'll take that as a compliment. Don't forget, she's in my harem, warns the youngest, pointing at me.

His big brother shrugs, then adds:

-Understood. However, it interests me greatly. And if asked to choose?

-Never! She's mine. Full stop, Éloys retorts.

Silvio turns on his heels and launches:

-I'm not done with her.

My legs hardly hold me back anymore. What happened?

In the kitchen, I remain paralyzed. I didn't think of Prince Silvio that way. After witnessing this, I will do everything to make Éloys king. Speaking of himself, I watch him cook a bacon and cheese omelette.

-It was..

- My brother, he cuts me off.

-He is...

-Pervert? Arrogant? Egocentric?

-Scary, I admit.

He pours the omelet onto a plate and brings it to me with a fork.

- Isn't this the work of hundreds of servants? I say to make him react.

He responds with a sigh. I take a first bite, but his heavy gaze stares at me.

-Not bad.

The shadow of a smile appears, then disappears. I would like to see that fabulous smile that lit up his face when he hugged Artania.

-What should I do today? I insist.

-Nothing. The meeting is in two weeks, so for two short weeks you do nothing.

My face crumbles. Do nothing? We will see!

I walk through the castle looking for a glass door. When I find one, I run to it. I make sure no one is around and open the patio door.

In the courtyard, there is a huge swimming pool, a small well-kept vegetable garden, and hundreds of colorful flowers. I see a path continues on its way until it disappears. My curiosity is stronger than my reason and decides to follow this small stone path to find out where the end is.

A voice calls out to me:

-Gabby?

I turn around and see Artania. She is in the pool. I walk towards her.

-What are you doing here? You run away from my brother huh? she asks me.

-Actually, I'm violating one of his restrictions.

-What is it? Artania asks, her eyes shining with mischief.

-Staying locked in my room doing nothing.

-My poor! Come swim!

-That's nice.. But, I don't have a swimsuit.

She smiled and jumped out of the pool.

- So let's go shopping!

-What? But I...

-I imagine that you don't have a cocktail dress with a touch of lightness?

I look at her with goldfish eyes.

I find myself once again in a limo. Artania seems excited as a chip. The car stops in a large square. We go downstairs and Éloys' half-sister takes me to all sorts of shops.

-Try this, this, this and.. Ho! That! You will be so pretty!

She gave me a long blue dress in light silk, a little short white dress, a two-piece scarlet red swimsuit and another black bare back.

Everything she put in my arms was fine with me. Artania bought everything. I told him again that it was not necessary since I have credit cards. She rewrapped me saying "hush". I shut up and let her spend as she sees fit.

After our girl-on-girl shopping spree, we go for a swim. I put on my new black jersey and go outside to join her.

-Yeah! I am proud of my choices! Artania exclaims.

I smile at him and make a bomb in the huge swimming pool.

After a few minutes, Éloys storms out of the house. He rushes straight at us, his eyebrows furrowed. He just stands there watching us. Artania turns to him:

- Yes, big brother? she asks in a silly way that makes me smile.

-You took him shopping without my consent? Are you serious?

-It doesn't belong to you! She needed a bathing suit, so we went to buy her two. Besides, you forbade him to go out. Come on, Eloys! Stop being possessive!

His gaze filled with rage goes from me to his sister. He hands me a towel.

-Come. I'll show you something.

I thank Artania one last time and get out of the pool. I face the prince, the latter rinses his eye. I take the towel and dry myself quickly. I'm about to go inside, but Éloys grabs my arm.

- Wrap it around you.

-For what?

-Because it is so.

I growl in displeasure and do as he tells me.

In the chateau, Éloys is waiting for me to change. I braid my hair and go to join him. When he sees me, he guides me to a room that I never would have believed there was such a place. In this huge room, heaps of decorations, toys, books, cassettes... Everything that can exist is there.

- Take care of it. You will have two weeks. I have to go settle some business with some vendors, but I'll be back to pick you up for tonight.

-What is it tonight?

-A small party for my return. I hope you have a dress?

I nod. He mumbles "good luck" and closes the wide door.