Chapter 4: Meeting with Royalty

The castle was busy that morning with anticipation of the coming guest. No one else was more nervous than the duke himself. Although it was customary of him to meet with the royal family during events, this seemed different. After all the young prince was of a marriageable age with interest to visit his very own daughter. Of course, she was going to have her childhood friend, Cassian beside her, but still, he couldn’t help but feel anxiety about what kind of connection they would make.

He started to wonder to himself, did his daughter make such an impression on anyone like this before? She was a little on the odd side, but never did he think his daughter would have an interest in a future with another man. But this was the prince, although it would mean great things for the future of the Philia house, it would come with a responsibility. It wasn’t like they were of such significant influence other than in the army…

“Father?”

The duke leaped at the disturbance. It was Aristelle looking at him with her round moon-like eyes. “Yes dear?”

“Are you alright? You seem a bit pale…”

The duke quickly tried to ease her concerns with a smile. “Everything is fine, I’m just a little…preoccupied.” He looked around briefly and saw that it was only them two. He looked squarely at his daughter. “Aristelle, do you have in mind um…marriage at all?”

She answered quickly. “No, why do you ask?”

He felt himself sigh in relief for a moment, but he shook his head, no he must be a father in times like these. “You’re at that age already, I just hope you’re prepared with the possible influx of uh…you know...curious suitors.”

Aristelle crossed her arms and raised a brow. “Who will ever ask someone like me?”

As if fate wanted to tease her, the question was brought up later again. It was late breakfast that Cassian had invited himself to. It was quiet until he offered conversation.

“Do you seek to be involved with politics?” Cassian asked as they chatted over breakfast.

“Not really,” said Aristelle. “Why do you ask?”

“I mean, it’s the prince we’re talking about here,” continued Cassian. “An association with royalty would inevitably mean we will be watched by the public. And um… rumors may happen.”

“Speak clearly Cassian,” said Aristelle.

“They will ask about your relationship with him.” Cassian expression is shadowy. “What if he seeks marriage with you?”

Aristelle put her utensils down. She took a deep breath. “I’m not an ambitious person like you are Cassian.” She laughs dryly. “And who on earth would be interested in me? I’m far from what one would expect in a noblewoman.” She holds up a hand and begins to count. “First of all, it’s too boring to sit around and chat about politics. Second, I prefer the company of a cat–” She grumbles to herself. “Even if she prefers men over me…”

“You’re not interested in marriage?”

Aristelle gives up on counting her fingers. If anything, she seemed irritated at the question. “I don’t desire such a thing.”

But Cassian did not seem convinced. He took a moment before returning his attention to his meal.

X

“Soleil!” Squeaked two children, a boy and a girl, running through paths in the garden. But there was no movement that responded in sight.

They screeched louder. “Soleil!”

“Rwar!” Shouted a louder voice.

“Ahh!” The children leaped at the shout. The boy toppled to the ground. Where did that come from?

Laugher then rang out from above them.

The girl turned her gaze upward. She crosses her arms. “Get down Soleil! You’re being annoying.”

The laughter did not stop. A young man, Soleil, leaped down from the tree he had climbed and stood in front of the children with a wide grin. “What are you two doing so early in the morning? Is the house burning down?”

The boy brushed himself off as he replied. “Nothing of that sort, don’t be silly.”

“Cassian, what about the excitement of the possibility?” Soleil asked with a cheeky grin.

“The cost is too high for such a thing,” mumbled young Cassian.

Soleil took a moment to look at his little brother. He then roughly ruffled his hair.

“Hey!”

“Are you really my brother?” Soleil bent down to study his face. “Perhaps Aris here can teach you how to have fun.”

Cassian moves his hand away. “I have enough with you living here.”

“That’s okay, Cassian told me he’s going to be a really strong soldier instead!” Aristelle said, tugging at Soleil’s shirt. “I’ll have all the fun I can in his place. So, teach me more dances!”

Soleil patted her back. “Alright then! We can teach Cassian when he’s ready to have fun.”

Aristelle grinned. “Hooray!”

X

The sun shone brightly that afternoon. Although it had been frantic in the Philia estate earlier that day, the garden seemed to be nothing but peaceful. Under the protection of a stone veranda, the prince along with his two new friends were conversing.

“Childhood friends hm? Sounds like fun,” Prince Aurelius said, leaning forward with his hand on his chin.

“Is it really that interesting?” Aristelle asked doubtfully.

“Really,” echoed the prince.

“She was awful as a child,” said Cassian.

“Excuse me?”

“But it’s in the past now,” mumbled Cassian. “She doesn’t throw her shoes at me anymore.”

Prince Aurelius laughed. “That reminds me of the monkey’s I saw overseas, but instead of shoes it was their own— “

Aristelle was throwing daggers with her eyes. “I will leave this table if you say another word. I will not be compared to monkeys.”

Prince Aurelius pressed his lips together quickly. “My apologies.”

She turned to Cassian. “Don’t you dare laugh. You threw those shoes right back at me.”

Cassian turned his head away from her trying to hold back his laughter.

Prince Aurelius chuckled. “Ah, I’ve been meaning to ask all this time.”

“Ask what?” Responded Aristelle.

“We’re all rather close to that age,” said the prince.

“Age?” Aristelle echoed.

“Lady Aristelle, are you interested in marriage?” The prince asked suddenly.

Cassian sipped his tea too quickly, resulting in a terrible coughing fit.

Aristelle raised a brow at him. “What’s the matter with you?” She patted his back firmly.

Prince Aurelius laughed. “Was that too much of a question?”

Aristelle took a deep breath and called her earlier conversation with her father. After all, he was not wrong. “Why do you ask?”

“Hm, perhaps I’m asking for a friend,” said the prince. His eyes were steady, it seemed that he was serious.

“Hm,” said Ariestelle, taking a sip from her tea. “I would rather hear it from the person themselves.”

“Then I’ll ask you,” said Prince Aurelius, leaning forward to rest his chin on his hand in interest.

She looked at the prince in shock. “Why ask me?”

He grinned. “I’m interested, Aristelle of Philia. It’s not a shallow interest, I promise.”

Aristelle’s head became blank. This was far from what she was expecting, and she became speechless from it. “I…”

Cassian’s eye darted back and forth between the two. It was clear that he was flustered from the conversation, angry even. But the moment his eyes caught the prince’s, he found himself unable to face his clear gaze.

“I’d be honored if you would consider Lady Aristelle,” said the prince, pouring Aristelle and Cassian a new cup of tea which they had both long finished.

X

The fog of what seemed to be a dream, obscured everything. Is someone there?

A loud meow is heard. Where? The image focuses on a familiar face: Princess Vanilla Bean. She meows once again before taking off.

“Wait!” With surprise Aristelle watches as her own hand appears from the fog in front of her. She is dreaming. With determination to see where her cat had gone, she followed quickly after.

The chase continued in a place that slowly focused into Aristelle's vision. A golden ballroom, adorned with violet flowers seemed to line the entire room. Shadows of people began to surround her. They are faceless but they are strangely familiar.

“Milady,” says one.

“What are you doing?”

Aristelle does not turn to face any of them. She scans the room for signs of the white cat. Where has she gone?

“Where are you going young lady?”

Aristelle curtsies without sparing a glance and makes her leave again.

The golden room disappears. Soon another appears, a more familiar place to her.

A garden, surrounded by white flowers instead of violet. A maze of high hedges grew around her as she chased her white cat deeper and deeper into the foliage.

“Princess…” Aristelle called after the cat.

Then the sound of hushing could be heard, surrounding her everywhere. Soon the hushing became loud.

Overwhelmed by the voices, Aristelle could no longer continue her chase. She stopped in her place and covered her ears.

“Princess!” Aristelle said more desperately this time.

The world began to spin around her. With nothing but tears flooding her vision, Aristelle crouched in her place. She gripped her head attempting to mute the sounds. But they only grew louder.

Then everything went quiet.

A light sound of crunching could be heard. In the comfort of her own sheets, Aristelle was awake.

“Princess, stop nibbling at my hair,” grumbled Aristelle, immediately knowing the familiar sensation.

The white furball gave her a long stare before making her exit from the bed.