Chapter 5: A Hand in Marriage

Aristelle was in a daze throughout that week the prince proposed to her. She was limited in her experiences with such relationships, even more so the idea of marriage.

But she pondered on the potential of marriage and the potential of those fairytales of young women falling in love with a charming prince. Was Prince Aurelius the person she could imagine those experiences and emotions with? He was a gentleman, how could she resist the thought?

Then she thought of the reality, the meetings with nobles and royals, the stifling dances in cold ballrooms. Her throat felt like it was closing up, her body was resisting the thought strongly already. She tried to ponder on the happier stories, the ones where love conquered all. She took a deep breath, there’s no use in overthinking when it was still just a suggestion from the prince.

Aristelle tried to ask Cassian what he thought, but he had evaded her for that entire week. She tried to get mad at him but she knew, in the end, it was still her own decision to make.

Unfortunately, the week did not end uneventfully for Aristelle. The castle was due for another event, this time was for her birthday.

The castle was hushed that week, not one seemed to engage with Aristelle like they used to. Even the soldiers that trained upon their ground seemed to avoid her.

It was a grand birthday, as Aristelle expected, and everyone was invited. Even the crown prince was invited much to Aristelle’s worry.

But Aristelle’s worries were not about to end anytime soon as a surprise announcement came from none other than her childhood friend, Cassian, who had bent down on one knee with news she’d least expected.

Before a word of protest could be said, her father had already raised his glass. “I announce my daughter’s engagement to Sir Cassian of Palmon.”

Aristelle’s eyes darted to her father and Cassian in shock.

Cassian averted his gaze from her burning stare.

The prince’s gaze did not waver. His knuckles were turning white from gripping his sword and his jaw seemed to stiffen.

Reeves closed his eyes slowly and muttered under his breath. “Coward”

Aristelle knew better than to storm out of the dance hall. She took Cassian by the arm and dragged him out.

“Aris,” said Cassian.

“Not a word,” warned Aristelle through gritted teeth. She stopped at the entrance of the garden sitting Cassian down at one of its benches. She then proceeded to take off her shoes.

“What are you doing?”

“Here” She shoved her shoes into his arms. “Take the shoes you so fondly carry with you.”

“Aris let me explain--”

“No,” said Aristelle. “You didn’t even think to speak to me in the first place, what’s the use if you speak to me now?”

Cassian became quiet as he looked at the shoes.

Aristelle then cupped his face in her hands. They did nothing but look at each other for a moment. “Have you ever looked at me properly?”

“W-what do you mean?” Stuttered Cassian, he knew he liked her but it was a bit much even for him. He was captivated by her still gaze.

“I’ve looked at you,” said Aristelle. “I know of your fondness for me. Is it truly me you want? Or is it the convenience of keeping me by your side?”

His mind went blank, what is she talking about? He tried to spit out words nonetheless, although on deaf ears. “It’s nothing like that! Because I…I…” He trailed off, blushing fiercely at the words in his mind.

She released her hold and stepped back. “Enough, I’m looking for Princess Vanilla Bean.”

“Aris…”

Soon she was gone leaving Cassian in a state of confusion.

X

Aristelle runs into a part of the estate crouched alone in the corner near the servants sleeping quarters.

Unexpectedly a golden garb glimmered in the corner of her eye.

She does not look up, but she’s fully aware of who it is. “Your highness.”

“Sorry, I asked the servants where you were.” The prince said as he stood beside her.

“If you’re so sorry, then please leave me alone,” grumbled Aristelle. She turned her gaze away from him. Her face was still wet with tears, how could she face anyone at that moment?

The prince did not respond. He takes a deep breath before kneeling in front of her. “I’m here to apologize.”

Aristelle peeked over her arms. “Why?”

The prince gave her a weak smile. “Barefoot Princess, a name like that suits you. I’ve perhaps caused his domino effect with you after that talk in that rose garden.”

Aristelle takes a moment before responding. “You were aware of Cassian’s feelings for me?”

He hesitates in his thoughts. “... I was.”

“That was why you spoke of marriage?”

“I suppose that is my truth,” said the prince.

Aristelle stands up suddenly. She grips her dress tightly before curtsying. “I will leave now, your highness.”

The prince’s brows are deeply furrowed. “You’re excused.”

With a swish of her dress, she seemingly vanishes from his sight, leaving the prince in that dark corner of the castle.

X

A day passed. A day then became a week. Soon it grew to a month.

It was a mystery whenever the oddball princess would return to the training grounds ever again. Even her fiance seemed to have nothing to say.

The other soldiers were just as quiet. Even if they missed the oddball princess, it seemed out of place to speak of Sir Cassian’s fiance nearby him.

But Reeves would soon have enough of it. He would be lying if he said that he didn’t miss the chaos that is the oddball princess.

X

Aristelle began to dread the idea of going outside. But she had a duty, and that duty was none other than her cat.

She didn’t want to think about the realities of her life, the very person she expected to be her constant friend had betrayed her. Even if she wanted to talk to her new royal friend, it would bring nothing but ill rumors.

She began to miss her old life, the life she lived before the realization of a marriageable age came to be. Would it all go away if she had been born a man? But she shook the thought away. Perhaps there was pressure for a man that she had little awareness of.

“Have you gotten plumper, my dear?” She said while sweeping her fingers through the tail of Princess Vanilla Bean.

But there was no response other than the crunching of dry pellets.

Aristelle continued to pet her until Princess Vanilla Bean suddenly raised her head.

“Princess Vanilla Bean?” Aristelle followed her gaze and watched as a familiar figure appeared. She stood up slowly. “Mister Reeves?”

He paused at the bottom of the steps and shouted. “Let’s go somewhere!”

Aristelle darted her eyes around before returning to hastily step down the stairs. “Why must you be shouting? Are you trying to bring the whole kingdom here?”

“I wanted to make sure you heard,” said Reeves.

“I have ears, Mister Reeves,” said Aristelle. She sighed. “I thought you’d all forget about me if I stopped showing up.”

“I’d say the others aren’t around because they’re being considerate,” said Reeves.

“Oh? Then what does that mean for you?”

“Call it whatever you like,” said Reeves. “It’s something I can offer to you. There’s a festival in town, are you interested?”

“Festival?” Aristelle looked down at her clothes. She was wearing a rather fancy dress. “I will stick out like a sore thumb.”

Reeves had swept his cape around her shoulders. “I’ll take you to my sisters, I’m sure they can do something for you.” He then held out a hand. “Let’s go.”

Aristelle found herself placing her hand on his before she knew it. Soon they had disappeared from the garden.

X

The night had just begun to fall as Reeves rapped upon a door of a country-house. Reeve’s three sisters went to work right away, scanning through their clothes for the right dress.

Finally, they were on their way to the festival.

It was impressive, the festival in town. Lights filled the town as if the sun had never left that day. Dancers of all sorts filled the town square.

“Mister Reeves, I’m thankful that you’ve shared all this with me. But why are you bothering yourself with me?” Aristelle asked. She peered into his face at a wary distance as they danced together.

“Do I need a reason to help a friend?”

Aristelle did not seem convinced. “Not even lovers I know are reckless enough to kidnap each other like this. Is it desire? Am I really that charming to you?”

“I don’t know,” replied Reeves.

“Then why?”

“Who knows,” said Reeves, taking a deep breath before continuing. “But all I know is now. And that the Lady Aristelle I know, lives more freely than anyone I know.”

“Freely you say,” echoed Aristelle. Her eyes focused beyond Reeve’s shoulder. “Do I seem like that now?”

“No,” said Reeves bluntly. He then bit his lip, since when did he become this honest?

Aristelle then paused dancing.

“Milady?”

“What does living look like to you Mister Reeves?” Aristelle asked suddenly.

Reeves seemed taken back by the question. He could say that he finds her dancing liberating, but it didn’t seem to be what she was asking him about. He was reminded of the first day he met the oddball princess, twigs and leaves stuck in her locks.

There was an image of childhood, in the house he lived in with his family before being adopted by the Erland house. His sisters, although busy with chores, played in the field nearby blessed with orange wildflowers.

“A meadow of orange poppies,” said Reeves.

“Poppies?”

“There was a field of poppies that would grow behind our cottage every spring,” continued Reeves. “My sisters were madmen, killing them off with their crafts. But still it was beautiful watching them.”

Aristelle grumbled. “That’s unfair Mister Reeves.”

“How so?”

“Wouldn’t that mean life is lived in seasons rather than the year? No flower can live beyond spring.”

“You’re right, flowers don’t stay around but I’ll remember them.”

Aristelle tilted her head studying his expression carefully. She then averted her gaze. “How poetic of you.”

“You should see it for yourself,” said Reeves. “You don’t have to believe my words.”

She laughed cynically. “Mister Reeves, you know I can’t leave this place.”

“I’ll take Princess Vanilla Bean there in your place.” Reeves jokes.

Aristelle looked at him with a mixture of shock and disbelief. “I will step on your feet,” threatened Aristelle with a pout. “How dare you suggest stealing my cat when you’ve already stolen her affection.”

Reeves laughs. Despite the pain in his toes by the end of the day, their last dance was a moment he remembered fondly.

Soon, the lights and music drew to an end.