Lost in her train of thoughts, she almost missed her father's speech. Bronwyn jolted out of her train of thoughts when the queen nudged her softly when the large doors pulled open and six golden knights of Narva rushed in, three in each sides as they formed a row, announcing the arrival of the prince.
Prince Lucien Blackstone!
Her eyes widened, nearly flying out of their sockets as she watched him strut in with a majestic smile plastered all over his face. Donned in a ceremonial regalia which was a purple silk fabric with hints of gold embroidered on it, Lucien waltzed over to her side, recognizing her in an instant even though they had never met.
The room grew silent, men and women marveling at the sights of the prince's rare beauty. He was far more beautiful than the vague descriptions her mother had managed to provide of him, his short hair was nicely trimmed, mussed and slicked back, his obsidian eyes glimmering like rare gem stones.
Bronwyn could tell Lucien had inherited his features from his mother, Eldritch Blackstone who was as beautiful as a goddess. She always wondered how a beauty like hers had fallen into the hands of the Narvan emperor.
She watched him flash her a million watt smile, with white pearly dentition, her heart did a spin in her chest, hammering frantically she almost struggled to breathe as it got caught up in her throat, her skin flushing in the process.
Her insides churned from excitement just as she stood to bow to him, and he reached for her hand, placing on it a gentle kiss, his soft warm lips meeting with her skin.
"I apologize for keeping my future empress waiting. I had been busy preparing bouquets for my lady."
A few palace maids strutted in with hefty bouquets of Lilacs, her heart warmed as she wondered how the prince had known of her favorite flowers.
Once the whole show was over and Lucien had said his greetings to the royals present, he settled himself beside her, beaming with radiance,
"I am forever grateful to the Narvan empire for this honor bestowed on our humble family. It hurts me to see my little butterfly leave her mother behind but alas, it is what must be done. Every woman one day shall eventually leave their parents behind and take up their husband's name. And thus, Bronwyn shall no longer be a Ravencroft, but a blackstone."
Her mother sniffled, wiping at the imaginary tears that the princess could tell wasn't there. Then she continued on with her drama, "I am rest assured that my daughter, Bronwyn, Daughter of Carlisle Teivel Ravencroft the fifth, is safe and in good hands. Right? My prince?" she smiled,
Lucien rose to his feet, acknowledging her with a small nod, You can count on me to forever shower the princess with nothing but love and care. You have my word, Freya,"
He gave a curt bow before returning back to his seat and as much as Bronwyn was beginning to grow hot from his presence, close to her, he treated her like she was invincible. She tried to keep her neck in place, from crooning to gawk at the raw handsomeness seated next to her.
"Let us make a toast to this beautiful union! A toast to the Blackstones' and the Ravencrofts! A toast to family!!"
Freya the queen chirped excitedly, raising her glad to the crowd and they followed suit, toasting to the newfound union. Then the jubilations began afresh she reached for the glass of water seated atop the table, taking a gulp from the liquid. Before she could even blink, Lucien had disappeared from beside her, meeting with a few royals and engaged in an heated discussion.
When the loud songs and instruments began to play and her father and mother had linked their arms, dancing and laughing.
She lifted from her seat, grabbing the wine from the side of the table, mixing with the crowds that was no longer interested in the mating ceremony but the food, drinks and each other. Even the emperor and Empress seemed to be involved in a thing or two. She dawned the contents all at once, reaching for another glass when the maids passed her with trays of wine.
But a hand reached forward to grab the drink from her and before she could even begin to protest, she was met with a pained look on the prince's face. He strained, gasping as he linked their fingers together, whispering a 'Come with me,' into her ears as he nudged her forward to the entrance.
As much as she would have loved to refuse, her feet said a different thing as they obliged him. He signaled the knights and they pushed the door back to reveal the path that led out.
They walked past the guards, taking turns through hallways at a fast pace until they were out in the open. Lucian let go of her hands as fast as he had taken it, exhaling before seating at the edge of the fountain.
He palmed his face, gasping and exhaling fast she watched him writhe like he was in pain. Before she could even begin to register what she had done, her legs moved instinctively on their own accord and she gently patted his back, sitting beside him as she pulled him to lean on her shoulders, his body went rigid from their closeness.
When he noticed she wasn't letting go, he relaxed right into her touch, "Does it feel suffocating for you too? Being inside there with all those smiley faces? I feel it too." she sighed, " What I do when it gets hard and I cannot breathe is that I try to imagine days when I had been the happiest."
He remained silent, heaving continuously, with the silence lingering on for too long. After what felt like minutes, he raised his head to meet her gaze when his fingers palmed her cheek, she squealed.
"Aren't I the most luckiest prince on earth in all the kingdoms? To deserve such a sweet being?"
Then his lips pressed against her cheeks, his lips curling back in a smirk.