Chapter Fifteen

Brooklyn’s heart pounded in her chest. “I said, I’m not doing anything until someone tells me what the hell is going on!”

“Princess, this isn’t the way you were supposed to find out,” said Lenora.

“If you weren’t so damn nosy, it wouldn’t matter!” snapped Adeline.

Lenora placed a comforting hand on Brooklyn’s shoulder. “Sit down, dear. Adeline, go fetch her a glass of water.”

Adeline spun on her heel and stormed out of the room.

“Please, Lenora. Please tell me what’s going on,” Brooklyn pleaded.

“Sweetheart, your father, the King, has decided it’s best if you marry Prince Algid. It what’s best for the two kingdoms.”

“Prince who?”

“Prince Algid from Dratun, the Frozen Lands. His father is a formidable ally to our kingdom and to ensure that peace continues, your father feels it would be best for you two to marry.”

“But I just returned! Why would he want to marry me off so suddenly? Plus, I’m too young!”

“I’m so sorry,” said Lenora shaking her head. “The King, well, let’s just say he has a particularly influential advisor who feels that it would be best.”

“Oh really? Any chance this advisor is Grishma?”

Lenora gasped loudly. “Child, how is it that you don’t remember anything, yet you know of Grishma?”

Uh oh! Over share!

Before she could respond, the door opened and Adeline walked in with a glass and a small pitcher filled with a cloudy, lemon colored water.

With a terse expression on her face, she poured a glass and handed it to Brooklyn. “Here you are, Princess.”

Looking Adeline straight in the eyes, Brooklyn asked, “Why are you being so bitchy?”

Putting one hand on her hip and pointing another in Brooklyn’s face, she shouted, “Because I know you aren’t Princess Sophie! You’re a fake!”

Lenora looked absolutely shell shocked. “Bite your tongue, Adeline, or be gone to the dungeons!”

Brooklyn’s jaw dropped and she could feel her heart thumping wildly in her chest. Okay, remain calm. You can fix this. She took a deep breath and a big gulp from the heavy crystal glass Adeline had handed her moments ago.

“I can explain everything.” She looked at Lenora first, then Adeline. “It’s… it’s just that… I fell into a bumblebee and then the kitten purred. I couldn’t possibly be a burglar. It’s the jack hole’s fault,” slurred Brooklyn.

“What are you talking about? Are you okay, Princess Sophie?” asked Lenora.

Before she could sputter one more ounce of nonsense, her vision blurred and the room began to spin.

“There, there, Princess Sophie,” Adeline purred with a wicked grin on her face.

“Hand me the hot rods, I need to curl one last section of her hair.”

“I think her makeup is done. What do you think, Mora?”

“She needs more sparkle! This is her wedding, after all. She’s supposed to glow with happiness!”

“Glow with happiness? Ha! She doesn’t even know there’s going to be a wedding!”

“Yes, she does. Pinga let it slip. She has such a big mouth!”

Brooklyn’s eyelashes fluttered. “Where am I?”

“She’s awake! Quick, give me the last dose!”

Brooklyn felt a slight prick on her shoulder and everything went black again.

“Princess Sophie, it’s time to wake up.”

Her head felt cloudy and her arm ached.

“Who are you? What did you call me?” she asked.

A pretty young woman with auburn hair and emerald green eyes gazed at her and smiled. “It’s me, your best friend, Adeline, and I called you Princess Sophie, silly! Now come on, it’s time to get married!”

Shaking her head, Sophie said, “Oh, right, sorry, I was just confused for a minute.”

“I managed to sneak a peek at Prince Algid! He looks so handsome!” Adeline squealed. “You’re so lucky! Your father and Grishma picked out the best looking prince in all of Necoh!”

“Oh? Wow, yeah, I guess I am,” replied Sophie.

“Snap out of it, silly!” replied Adeline.

Just then, someone knocked at the door and Adeline rose to answer it.

“Um, I’m here to bring some food to Princess Sophie,” said a voice from behind the door.

“Please come in. You can set the food over there,” said Adeline.

A waiter came in holding a tray full of delicate appetizers that made her mouth water.

“Mmmm, smells delicious!” said Sophie.

The waiter set the tray down per Adeline’s instructions and then stared at the Princess intently.

“Do I know you?” she asked.

“I suppose not,” replied the strikingly handsome waiter. “Oh, before I leave, here is a message from Prince Algid. He wanted you to read it before the wedding.”

Sophie accepted a thick folded piece of white parchment. “Thank you.”

He bowed and kissed her hand lightly. “It’s my pleasure,” he replied.

After he exited the room, the Princess giggled. “I hope Prince Algid looks like that waiter!”

Adeline smiled. “He was really cute, wasn’t he?”

“Totally gorgeous! I love guys with dark hair and green eyes!”

“Anyway, enough with the help! Let’s read your letter from Prince Algid!”

Sophie grinned and unfolded the paper.

Brooklyn,

I haven’t much time. Please know I have been trying to find you since Grishma took you! I’m so sorry! Tonight, before the wedding, please meet me in the royal gardens. I have a way for us to escape!

Ryder

“Um, I think that waiter gave me the wrong letter,” said Sophie.

“What do you mean?” asked Adeline.

“Well, it definitely isn’t from Prince Algid and it definitely wasn’t meant for me! Here, look,” she said, and handed Adeline the letter.

“What a fool! He must have mixed up the letters!” said Adeline. “Excuse me for just a minute.”

Sophie simply shrugged and fixed herself a small plate of hors d’oeuvres.

A few minutes later, Adeline returned without the letter.

“So what happened?” asked Sophie.

“Oh, just a silly mix up. Everything is fine now and here’s the letter you were meant to get from Prince Algid,” said Adeline with a devilish smile.

“Ooh! Let me read it!”

Sophie unfolded the second letter and immediately began to giggle.

Dearest Princess Sophie,

Although we do not know one another yet, word of your beauty and kindness has travelled to Dratun. I am honored to become your wedded husband and I hope to become your best friend, lover, and confidant.

Forever Yours,

Prince Algid

“He already loves you!” squealed Adeline.

Her cheeks turned red and she reread the letter. “He really sounds wonderful, doesn’t he?”

“Absolutely! Now finish your food so we can get you into your wedding gown!”

Sophie looked at herself one last time in the full-length mirror. The dress Lenora had designed was magnificent and truly fit for a royal wedding. Wow, I look stunning!

“Are you ready?” asked Adeline. She was dressed in a simple, yet beautiful, indigo silk dress.

“I think so,” replied Sophie. “But I’m really nervous!”

“Just think of the letter he wrote you! He can’t wait to marry you!” encouraged Adeline. “Now come on, you can’t be late to your own wedding!”

Adeline and three others helped Sophie out of the room while two little girls in white dresses held up the train in the back.

Walking through the hallways felt strange, as if she were experiencing déjà vu. Everything felt familiar, but still a bit foreign.

I hope this is just a case of pre-wedding jitters!

Assuring herself that it was, Sophie smiled and clasped Adeline’s hand. “What does the ballroom look like?”

“I have never seen it look so beautiful. You will absolutely love it!”

After what felt like an eternity, they were face to face with the massive wooden doors that led to the ballroom.

Before the doors opened, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she came face to face with the King.

“My darling Princess!”

“Oh, Father! Thank goodness you’re here! I’m so nervous!”

The King’s eyes glistened with tears. “My sweet daughter, you mustn’t worry! The Royal Family of Dratun can’t wait for you to join them!”

“Do you really think so?” asked Brooklyn.

“Yes, of course, my dear!” The King smiled and embraced her one last time. “Now, are you ready?”

Taking a deep breath, Sophie smiled and said, “Yes, Father, I’m ready.”

The King nodded toward one of the guards standing to the left of the door. The guard picked up a large trumpet and announced the arrival of the King and Princess Sophie. Then, setting the trumpet down, he and three other guards pulled the thick wooden doors open.

Sophie felt like she was going to faint. Beautiful music floated through the air as thousands of people stared at her intently from their seats on either side of the arbor.

The harpist began to play another song, this time accompanied by a string quartet. The audience rose and Sophie found it difficult to breathe.

Standing at the end of the beautiful petal-covered aisle was Prince Algid.

Eek! He’s so handsome!

Even though he was far away, she could tell he was drop dead gorgeous. Tall and lean with sun-kissed blond hair, he was drop dead gorgeous, even from a distance.

Sophie looked back at Adeline and mouthed, “He is sooo cute!”

Adeline smiled and winked back at her.

Holding out his arm, the King said, “My darling.”

Standing on her tiptoes, Sophie kissed her father on the cheek. Then, she linked her arm in his and they walked down the aisle toward Prince Algid.

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http://www.amazon.com/Ayla-Necoh-Saga-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00FKH35MS