Chapter 2 Calarrad

Fourteen hours of flying, the plane finally lands on the island.

Calarrad.

It is a beautiful tropical island surrounded by clear blue water and exotic plantations. The air is warm and sweet. From what mother told me, it's summer throughout the year.

If only I had remembered, I'd have chosen an outfit fit for these weather conditions.

Normally as a princess, I am supposed to travel with my royal entourage, but according to my parents, for this specific arrangement, I wouldn't need to. I was told that by the time I land in Calarrad, I would have an entourage assigned to me by the King and Queen.

As soon as I got off the private plane, a sleek black Mercedes awaited my arrival. Next to it, stood a tall, well- built, melanin man in a white shirt and black pants, holding up a board with my name on it ''Princess Annalise''. Next to him stood another tall and much bulkier tanned-man, in a similar attire.

Walking up to them, their eyes grew wide for a fraction of a second before straightening themselves upright. The chocolate-skinned man introduced himself first. "Good afternoon Princess, my name is Cory." The beautiful man gives a breathtaking smile, he points to the other guy beside him, "and this is Victor." Victor just nods his head with an emotionless expression on his green-eyed face. I felt rather intimidated standing in front of them... they were gorgeous.

"Hello, I'm Annalise." I shook their hands.

"This-'' Cory points to the car, ''-Princess, is your personal car for your stay here, as I am your body guard, I am also your driver to wherever you want to go to on the island. And if I am not around, Victor will be there to help you." I nod a thank you. Cory opens the door for me and waits for me to climb inside while Victor loads my luggage into the boot.

''Thank you,'' I smile at them both as they get in the car. Cory in the drivers seat, and a silent Victor sits in the passenger side. Cory smiles through the rearview mirror.

''Ready?'' I nod back and smile. Soon we are driving away from the airport.

Through out the drive none of us said a word, however Cory would now and again glimpse at me through the rearview mirror and smile briefly before looking back to the road. Victor was more tense, as if my presence being here was bothering him.

Well Victor, I don't want to be here either.

The island is even more beautiful, as we neared the city. I noticed how the people here dressed very different to that of the rest of the world. The women wore long, bright coloured summer dresses, with jewellery around their necks and wrists, similar to those of the Roman women, but had a modern 21st century touch to it. The men were more modernly dressed than the women. It was beautiful and yet different.

It was a city of wide avenues and small places to sit and eat, to relax as folk went about their day. We drove pass a large Library, and a museum just next to it. The rest was parks and wild spaces, a chance to walk among nature or enjoy the trails on bicycles. The city was rich in art, the detailing of the walls of the buildings shows the history of the island.

As we drove out of the city, the ocean became more and more visible. In no time, we neared a large golden gate with a symbol, one could assume was The Royal Family crest. Two wolves howling at each other, it was strange but beautiful nonetheless.The gates opened, revealing a long driveway surrounded by large palm trees. We drove for about a mile before we reached the opening of a humongous, jaw- dropping castle.

The castle was bold on the blue beyond. It stood there as if conjured from the storybook of a child. It was perfect.

Every stone was even and square, as if those who built were set on perfection, as if they really loved what they made. They were walls made to protect a community. By the entryway stood a beautiful fountain. This place was beyond my expectations.

It was only then did I notice a man and woman standing by the door with wide smiles on their faces as they watched us approach the castle. On either side of them, stood two men wearing black suits.

''They are the King and Queen of Calarrad,'' Cory announces as if reading my mind.

The King and Queen of Calarrad? but they looked so young!

I hear Victor chuckle to himself as he notices my expression. Now he decides to laugh. I roll my eyes at him even though I know he couldn't see me.

Stepping out of the car, I stand before them with a small smile.

The Queen has short-blonde hair, that framed her beautiful face, with strikingly blue eyes. The King, has short-dark hair and Brown eyes, they were a beautiful couple and looked perfect standing side by side.

Now, on average, I'm tall, but looking at the King and Queen, I was magnificently small. They were un-naturally tall. Maybe five inches taller than me? come to think of it, everyone around me, including Cory and Victor, was much taller than I was. It was almost inhuman.

How did I not take note of this sooner.

"Welcome to our beautiful home, Calarrad." The King greets with a welcoming smile, "I am King Ronaldo, and this," he looks adoringly to his wife, "is my beautiful wife, Queen Rosa." The queen beams at me.

''Good day your Majesties.'' I bow, ''I am Princess Annalise of Greemalia.'' I introduce with a smile as I look up at them both.

"Thank you for coming," Queen Rosa speaks with a smile, "please come in, you must be tired with all that traveling.''

''It was a long flight, but it was worth it, you have a beautiful Kingdom.'' I say and they both smile at me.

A beautiful dark skinned girl with long curly-dark hair and hazel eyes walks up to me with a warm smile, and bows, I smile at her in return.

''This is Maria, she will be your personal handmaiden.'' Queen Rosa introduces. ''They will escort you to your room so you freshen up a bit and we will see you at dinner.''

''We are so sorry to leave you so suddenly, but we must leave urgently, Cory and Maria will help you settle in.'' King Ronaldo says. I just nod and wave as I watch them leave the castle.

I am then escorted to my room with Cory ahead of me, and the beautiful girl beside me. I follow Cory to my room.

We stop at a large door that Cory opens, revealing a large bedroom. They both move aside and let me walk in first.

The room was magnificent. It was filled with bright colours and flowers everywhere, the balcony lead to a beautiful view of the ocean, this made me smile. The bed lay in the middle of the room. A door on each side. One led to the walk in closet, The other to the ensuit. Cory lays my bags in the room, thanking him, he smiles, and leaves, leaving me alone with my hand maiden.

Maria helps me unpack all of my stuff, she told me that dinner will be served in an hour and her and Cory will escort me to the dining hall, where we will meet everyone else, including the Prince himself.

"Maria?" I call her name as she finished unpacking the last of my suitcases.

"Luna-" she quickly corrects herself, "sorry, princess-"

''Please, call me Anna.'' I insist ignoring her first address. Maria corrects herself again, "forgive me, Anna" she blushes.

"What do you suppose I wear for the dinner?"

"Queen Rose has asked me to hang dresses that are of our culture if you want to wear any of them, of course, you are not obligated to." She said pointing towards the closet. '' however if you are more comfortable in your own attire, I would suggest a cocktail dress perhaps?" With that she smiles and continues with her duties.

Seeing as I had an hour to get ready, I decided to take a much needed bubble bath. Jumping out of the tub, I wrapped a towel around my body and walked back into my room. Noticing that Maria has already left, I make my way to the vanity.

My hair, sat in untamed curls just below my ribcage. My grey eyes stared right back at me in the mirror. I decided to leave my hair loose, and put on minimal make-up, some mascara and a red lip colour.

Making my way to the closet, my eyes wandered over the beautifully coloured dresses. My eyes set upon a long flowy white dress with a gold belt and detailing. I decided I'd wear that for dinner. Putting on the dress, I admired how it sat on my body.

It had a slit on either leg, the back was bare. It was sexy no doubt, and revealed quite a lot of skin, but it was how most of the women here dressed. I styled the outfit with a pair of diamond earings. Pleased with my appearance, I walked out onto the balcony taking a deep breath.

The view of the ocean was breathtaking. I could smell the salt in the air. I took these few moments to myself, recollecting my thoughts and letting everything settle in.

Deep breaths Anna.

A few minutes later I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in." Cory and Maria both enter my room. Their eyes went wide when they took in my appearance. Feeling self conscious about myself I sighed,

"Is something wrong?"

"No!" they quickly say, I look at them confused.

"You look beautiful Princess." Cory says with a friendly smile.

"Very beautiful Anna." Maria adds with a similar smile and I blush.

"Thank you."

''You ready, Princess?''

''Please Cory, call me Anna,'' I Insist, and just like Maria, he was surprised, Maria laughs quietly to herself.

''You ready, Anna?'' he corrects himself with a playful smile and I nod.

I followed them out of the room as they escorted me to the dining hall. I notice something that I never took note of before.

"Sorry, but I have to ask... are you two siblings?"

Both look at each other amused by my question, Cory was the first to answer with a smirk, "twins actually, princess"

"Although I'm eight minutes older" Maria adds shoving Cory playfully making Cory roll his eyes. I laugh at the two.

"I am surprised you didn't notice earlier, a lot of people do." Cory says and I shrug.

"To be fair, I was on a fourteen hour flight."

For some reason, I suddenly felt nervous. And I think Cory and Maria noticed this as they gave each other knowing looks. Maria took my hand in hers. "You look amazing Anna, the Alpha will definitely notice you." I blush as Cory nods in agreement.

If only they knew-but wait, did I hear right?

''I'm sorry did you say Alpha?'' the word sounding foreign on my lips. Both their eyes grew wide like sources.

''Uh..'' Cory scratches the back of his neck, ''Yeah, its just a term we refer to him around here, you know?''

''Yeah!'' Maria cuts in, ''like an Alpha dog, because his a king and- ouch!'' Maria glares at Cory who is looking at her as if she had grown another head.

''A dog really, Maria?'' He rolls his eyes at her, Maria sheepishly smiles and looks away, then clears her throat and looks at me, ''but anyway, are you ready?'' she nods her head down the open hallway.

Taking another deep breath, they both lightly chuckle. With my hand still in Maria's we continued our walk to the dining hall. As we near the hall, I could hear music and light chatter.

Time to meet the Prince.