Chapter 3 New beginning

Princess Elena POV

Morning came faster than I could've imagined, waking up in the king sized bed was everything I wished for. It was so fluffy and ....big, maybe too big. Getting up I remembered the arrogant bastard who I'd have breakfast with in a short time.

"Good morning your highness" a girl who looked like she was in between her 20's and 30's said at the doorway of my given room

"Elena. If you're gonna be my hand maid while I'm here, you'll address me as Elena. Ok?"

" thank heavens! I was beginning to think I'll be dealing with another obnoxious princess" she said strolling into the room. I liked her already.

"I'm Augustine. A weird name I know but that's what I go by. So breakfast will be served in 20 minutes and from the look of things, your just waking up" she talks a lot! I gave her a small smile

"It's not like the prince would mind if I came down a little bit late"

"You think? He's so precise about time so let's get you ready" she said clapping her hand. In record time of 10 minutes, I was ready! How Augustine did that, I don't know. While I do not acquire ladies attributes, I can't get ready in even 30 minutes to save my own life.

"You look lovely! Now he'd be mad to not fall in love and marry you" Augustine said giving my appearance an approving look. For some reason I blushed. I blushed! That's never happened!

"Show me the way Augustine" I told her without correcting her that I didn't need the prince to fall in love with me cause he's meant for another. And that bugged me. Why hadn't I corrected Augustine?

Coming down the stairs leading to the dining area, the prince was seated already and on the butler announcing me in, he stood up like any gentleman. Guards were stationed around and I hated it. It was almost like having breakfast in Wessex. I gave him a bow and he reciprocated it in return. Instead of walking to a seat, I walked to the prince instead and leaned to his ear

"Please get rid of the guards. It's ridiculous they get to stand and watch just the two of us eat" I said, and again without waiting for a reply left for my seat. Taking a seat, I raised an eyebrow to him seeing he hadn't moved or talked. This must've shook him from whatever space his head must've been in cause he immediately cleared his throat

"Leave!" And just like that, like they were robots, the dinning area became empty leaving just me and the prince together.

"I suppose you do know how to serve?" He said in a mocking eyebrow. Hah. Shame on him cause I did know how to do all these things. Surprising both of us, I stood up and began dishing out the food. Why? I don't know. I swear it has something to do with this estate, probably I've been charmed of some sort. Just as we said the grace and were about to eat, he speaks

"You do know your coming here won't change anything"

"How so?" I said with a questioning eyes

"I do not wish to marry. Especially a girl I do not know"

"Then you get to know her!"

"Her? You mean You." He replied with a flat look

"Me? Wait.. hahahahaha... you think...whoa (laughs more)"

"Would you get on with it"

"You don't know do you? I'm princess Elena" at this he gave a confused look.

"Outrageous! You do not know the name of your bride to be? (Inhales deeply) I'm princess Elena, junior sister to Princess Eleanor, your bride to be and future queen" dumbstruck. That's how he looked, like a deer caught in headlights.

"Damnation! Does your father know you're here.."

"He sent me here"

"Have you all gone mad! What's this? Sending you over here.." at this point he was already on his feet pacing around

"Well you had refused to come down to Wessex. What would you have him do"

"Not send the younger one after me at least!" He spat out. "Do you not care of your reputation?! What would society have to say. The rogue prince is living with the younger sister of his future bride!"

"Ahhhh. So you do accept Eleanor as your bride" I said with a coy smile

" you're going back"

"Not"

"Are"

"Forget it. I'm not going anywhere, at least not without you" I said with a shrug.

"Damn you" he said walking out Taking a deep breath, I knew this wouldn't be easy but definitely shouldn't be this hard and upsetting. Ever since I walked in here, we've only done nothing but fought. Finishing my breakfast in silence I decided to head for the library to clear my head a little .

It was a late evening and the 4th day of me being in the Yorkshire estate. In these four days, me and the prince haven't exchanged words or even seen eye to eye. He's always 'busy' as he would put it. I was in the gardens and oh my the view was absolutely breathtaking with the moon glowing and making everywhere like something out of a novel. I wasn't putting on any fancy gown on, in my night robe I sat at the swing in the garden looking up to the moon as I heard footsteps approach me.

"Beautiful night, isn't it" no one had to tell me who it was as that voice was the same voice I hadn't heard in four days.

"Such a pity. It's always a beautiful night here but I guess work don't make you see that" I retorted. If he had heard the bite in my words, he didn't show concern, walking slowly and around me he came to seat by my side

"I'm sorry" the arrogant prince said, ok maybe he's not arrogant. He said those words looking at me in the eyes. No one had ever looked at me in that way and I could swear I melted into his eyes.

"Forgiven. I'm sorry too. I was a little bitchy and probably out of line"

"That's ok. Friends?" He said with a smile

"Friends" I said giving him a smile "

well on that note, I'll be retiring to my room. Do you mind if I steal you for tomorrow? It's been a while since you've come and I've been a terrible host to you. I'd like to make up for that" who knew he could be so charming?

"You have my permission to steal me away" and I swear I saw his eyes darken. For some reason the more I stared at his eyes, I got more lost. Breaking the trance he tore his eyes from mine and made a bow to leave but not before saying

"Even a goddess couldn't compare to you in that night wear" was he flirting with me? Or was it just a honest compliment?

Morning couldn't come any faster and to my surprise I had slept well, more than I would've hoped to sleep. Possibly it had something to do with the fact me and the prince Richard were finally on good terms.

"Rise and shine beauty!" Augustine said in an almost annoying cherry voice. Of course in just a few days, the little woman had grown on me. We would chat at any time we had, and while the obvious was busy ignoring my existence, Augustine made sure I wasn't left to wallow and die in boredom.

"Why are you so happy? It's almost disgusting"

"Hmmp, that's nonsense. They say you stay younger when you're happy and smile all day " she said with her hands on her hips.

"Bloody story tellers and lies. My mother doesn't smile, God forbid she ever does but she's as beautiful as the morning lilies, her Lips still as red as roses and her features just impeccable" I said while undressing getting ready for my bath

"No wonder you're pretty yourself. Do you think she bath human blood? I've heard those type of things keep one young" Scrunching my face, I decided to ignore Augustine, lest I just invite the lawyer in her.

One of the things I had come to learn was thar Augustine loved to argue and it wasn't because she wanted to spite one but because that was just who she was.

"You're going out with prince Alistair right"

"Mmm"

" I heard one the guards telling another to get the royal carriage ready. Where do you think he'd be wanting to take you to?"

" to be honest. I don't know"

"Well. It's nice to see both of you are getting along"

"Yeah"

Three dresses later and so many minutes after I was ready and that was all Augustine's fault. I dare not point out to her that I'm not to look pretty for prince Alistair because I wasn't the one marrying him but well, what could I do? Arriving at the end of the stairs, the prince was waiting for me, dressed in his normal prince attire

"Prince Alistair" I said giving a bow

"Please, call me Alistair and if it's okay by you, may I call you Elena?"

"Perfect" I said a little breathless. What was wrong with me? I knew. All these lady like dresses were crawling into me, making me act like a lady

"Shall we?" And with that, I hooked my arm with his as he led me to the royal carriage. Prince Alistair... no ... Alistair had gone maybe out of his way in today's excursion as I had called it. I saw so many beautiful things I never thought I would see. He had taken me into town to see the people around and they were lovely people. We arrived a little bit after dinner time but it was no worry as I had made Alistair buy street food for us to eat.

The carriage halted at the entrance of the door, Alistair stepped down, giving me his hand which I politely and gladly took

"I hope you had fun"

" absolutely. Thank you... for today"

" my pleasure Elena" again, there was just something bout the way he said my name. It was ecstatic, relieving and calming all at once. Without saying another word, we both left to our different rooms for the night and for the first time I couldn't sleep, not out of anything but of fear. Why had I been speechless and breathless when he had said my name. What was happening to me? Sooner than later, the tiredness from the day's activity took over and I was sleeping, slipping into a dream that I hoped never came to be.

The next day wasn't bad either as immediately after breakfast, Alistair had challenged me to a game of chess which I was so eager to accept. I loved the game of chess and welcomed a challenge.

"No!!! You're cheating!" (Laughs)

"no I'm not. You're just a sore looser Alistair. I wonder what people would think (laughs)"

"Stop laughing. It's not that funny" (grumbling)

"You look so cute" I teased him

"Oh yeah? You think I'm cute?"

"Yeah"

" I'll show you cute" and in an instance, Alistair was on me, tickling me which left me a laughing mess

" haha...hahaha.. sss..t..o.. hahahaha.. okay you win"

"Oh no my love" he said with twinkling eyes. I used that as an opportunity to turn us with his back to the ground, pinning him down

"Now who's the winner huh" and then..

"(Clears throat) princess Elena, there's a letter here for you" said Harrison. On hearing his voice, I turned over, scrambling to my feet feeling embarrassed on how the butler had caught me and Alistair. Not like anything was going on.

"Thank you Harrison." I said taking the envelope from him. Turning the letter over, I saw the royal seal of Wessex. Definitely from my father.

"Your father I presume" Alistair said from behind me

" maybe"

"You won't read it?"

" I will. But alone" I said briskly.

" well. I guess that's enough fun for today. It was a delightful time spent. See you at dinner" he said with a bow.

" sure" Immediately Alistair was out of sight, I raced to my given room, locking the door shut. You'd wonder why I was this paranoid, but I couldn't be certain the contents of the letter involved Alistair, after all I was still my father's secret assassin, painfully.

I rip the cover of the letter

'His royal highness, the King. Dear Elena, your sister and mother are running out of patience and I? Out of time. Do not forget why you're in Yorkshire. Remember Wessex relies on you.'

That was it. Just that. Didn't he care about my own well-being? Sometimes I resented my father, no affection or nothing. I understood as a king he had enough problems on his hands but I was still his daughter. I deserved a 'how are you' at least.

I took out my pen and decided to write to him

The Princess Elena Dear father,

what did you mean by running out of time? I'm doing very well and as for Wessex, I would never forget my duty.

Take care pa.

It was simple but still something, at least there was affection in it.

"Harrison! Harris..."

"Yes princess Elena"

"Please could you deliver this back to Wessex. To the king my father"

"Consider it done" and at that I watched him leave with my letter.