Day 54

Evening

I sat infront of a mirror in a light weighted creme color dress that had spaghetti straps. Aunt Aline had just finished doing my light makeup and was brushing my hair.

"Your hair is so naturally pretty already. A simple brush should do." She tells me.

"Yeah. Thanks a lot aunt Aline."

"No worries dear. Goodluck with your first performance here in the castle!"

I smiled. But everytime I was reminded of it, I started quivering in anxiety. But not to an obvious extent.

I've performed in front of more people in the past, but I haven't ever been this nervous since the first time I ever performed. Maybe because it's how the guests just seem so intimidating.

Especially the lady with black hair. She seems so mature and fit for a queen. Yet, I still can't seem to see her standing by Rowan.

I hear a knock on the door. It steadily opens and Kace appears. "Riselle. It is time."

Aunt Aline puts the brush down and I get off of where I was just seated. "I can do it!" I tell myself, then heading over to Kace. The two of us walk to the banquet hall. Such a large space for a small meeting, but space was needed for the piano.

I was instructed by Luca that I must not have any interference with the guests at all and that I should mind myself.

Because I knew looking over to them would make me even more nervous, I did not look to their direction, and went straight to the piano.

Kace was still in the room standing much as if he was told to guard, while maids were entering to serve food. I glance his direction and he signals for me to begin playing.

I take a deep breath to clear my mind. Forgetting what the event is, who the people in this room are. It is just me, and the piano. My hands touch the keys and I begin to play the Ständchen serenade. A personal choice for today's event.

The anxiety was quick to leave my body, and all I could feel now was that euphoric rush I'd get when playing a song so smoothly. I didn't feel time pass at all. Soon enough I was onto the next song, and the songs after that, and my final piece. Which I decided it to be Clair De Lune.

I remember back when I played this for the Prince. And it ended with me slapping him. Pfft...

Once I lift my hands off the keys and thank the gods I didn't mess up, I turn to the Prince and guests. They seemed to be having wine, but they stopped to applaud me.

"She's plays beautifully, doesn't she?" Rowan asks the three ladies, and they nod in agreement. "Too bad she won't be able to play for my wedding though. Because she'll be walking down the aisle as my bride."

He did not just-? My eyes feel as if they are going to pop out of their sockets, and my face heats up in absolute embarrassment. Both brunettes looked the equal level of shock on their face, and I could feel as if they harbored negative emotion at that moment. The lady with black hair however, chuckled.

"So... Why are you wasting your time with us then? My apologies, your majesty. But what you said comes of as a little bit disrespectful to us." The brunette with straight neck length hair spoke.

"Now now... Let's not jump to assumptions and be greatful to get to be in his presence." The voice of the lady with black hair was oddly familiar. In fact, her black hair was familiar.

It was just like... "Miss wandering merchant lady!" I gasp.

She turned to me, and there I could see what her face that was always hidden behind fabric looked like. Along with her hair, her eyes were black like an endless abyss. She had a pointy nose and thin lips. "Oh my! I didn't expect the brilliant perfomer to be you! What a hearthrob you are. Having both the prince and his butler head over heels for you!"

"I-it's not like that!" My embarrassed face further worstens, to the point I've just about burnt. My eyes shift to Kace for a split second, then to the Prince.

Kace also looked rather embarrassed, as for Rowan. Confused. My bet is that he hasn't a clue of Kace's feelings towards me.

"A fateful encounter, hm?" The confusion on his face quickly left, in exchange for a grin.

"Yes! Oh and if you don't mind, Miss hearthrob. May I ask your name? Our paths have crossed thrice already, I do not doubt a deeper connection in the future."

"It's Riselle... Riselle Astor." I respond sheepishly.

"Mine is Annette Von Weber. These ladies are Nana-" She motioned towards the brunette that spoke recently. "And the other is Lili. They are sisters."

"I want to go home now, the prince obviously is already set on marrying that woman!" Lili scowled.

"Yeah!"

"You two, calm down please." Annette sighed. "My sincerest apologies, your highness. I do think it is about time for us to leave though, it has gotten quite late."

"I agree." Rowan responds. "Kace, see them off for me please."

It seems the prince isn't able to keep up his usual dignified facade for extended periods of time... Or he just doesn't want to deal with women?

Either way. Luca's plan failed.

The three ladies get up and follow Kace to the banquets hall exit, just before that, Annette stops and turns to the prince. "Your majesty, please do invite me to the wedding." She says and shifts her gaze onto me, giving me a wink.

For a moment, I didn't know if I was supposed to be flustered with what she just said, or stunned because a gorgeous lady winked at me.

"I'll remember that." The prince replied, and she was off.

"Phew..." I sighed in relief.

"You performed well." He commented. "Now come, sit here."

I went over to where he was motioning me to sit. One of the seats with soft cushions, where Annette sat earlier.

"You've been here in the castle for just about two months now. How are you finding it?"

"I'm finding it nice." I smile. A part of me couldn't get that embarrassment out of my body. Ah, the things this absurd prince says. "It's fun with everyone around."

"I'm glad." Rowan gets up to walk over to me, and he bends down to my face level. Just what is he doing now? We stared at each other for a few moments in that position.

Unlike in the past, looking straight into his piercing blue eyes wasn't as troublesome. But man isn't he just gorgeous when looking at him from this proximity? It was like looking at a piece of art.

While I was subconsciously studying his face, he leaned in forward and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. My mind, body, and soul went straight into fry mode and I was unable to react.

After that, he turned around in silence and left the banquet hall. Once he was out of sight, my heart began to beat at a weird pace that I never felt before, and my face heated up. That's quite a late reaction- but why am I reacting this way?!

And Luca's plan didn't just fail, but it completely backfired!

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A/n

Yes. Development. Finally LMFAO

Also here's a question for y'all! ;;

Who is your personal best boi so far?