Rival Kingdom Romance

[Harlean Hull]

Princess Madeleine stepped out of her father's carriage at the meeting place. She followed her parents and brothers as she walked into the building.

 

[maxacec]

"Ha ha.... At this rate, you'll never get that girl to fall in love with you, little brother.", Asher laughed, teasing one of the twins. "What was her name again? Juliette was it?", he continued as he mimicked an intimate dance. His youngest brother Julius turned beet red. ? Julius's twin sister, Margery couldn't help laughing but had managed to place a handkerchief on her mouth and barely made any noise.


Someone cleared their throat behind them which caused all three to turn towards the source of the noise. "Prince Asher, you really should be getting ready for our guests. This is, as you know, a very important meeting.", the royal butler said. Asher sighed, obviously not interested in any of the politics but he couldn't argue. "Of course, Tomas. Thank you.", he said before turning back towards his siblings. "Well, it seems that I am needed elsewhere. Margy, try not to tease our little brother too much......any redder and the chef might mistake him for a tomato." Margery smiled, turning towards Julius to see if she can catch his reaction just in time to see Julius puffing his cheeks and looking away.

 

[Harlean Hull]

"Are you nervous, Baby?" Madeleine's elder brother Henry asked, calling her "Baby" since she was the youngest of the children.


Madeleine looked at him smiled shyly.


"I always am, Henry," said Madeleine nervous.


"It's all right, Madeleine," said Henry comfortingly.

 

[maxacec]

After getting ready, Asher walked out of his room and headed towards the main dining when he caught a glimpse of the twins, seemingly trying to sneak away somewhere. It was nothing to be alarmed about but he couldn't help feeling suspicious and so he tailed them. After a short but rather amusing sight of his two younger siblings trying their best to mimic a ninja and sneak past everyone, he found himself in the balcony area of the castle. 'What are those two up to?', he wondered as he maintained his distance.


When the two had started giggling among themselves, he knew that it was what they were after and he mad his presense known. "So, here you are. You sneaky little kittens.", he said, grabbing the two by their collars. The two started to giggle louder before Margy tried her best to quiet down and hush the otrher two as well with an index finger pressed against her lips. "Shh....they might hear us.", she said in a hushed voice. "Who ?", Asher asked, his voice toned down to a whisper now as his eyes playfully wondered around from the balcony.


He saw a few men and a woman walking out from a carriage whom he could only assume was the king and queen who were visiting. And then a short way behind was another carriage which contained another pair. He studied the man for a brief moment before moving onto the girl. His gaze was fixated on her and for a brief moment, their gaze crossed before he looked away. "She's very pretty.", Margery said. "Yeah, I guess she is...", Asher muttered, his sight was back on her.

 

[Harlean Hull]

Madeleine turned her gaze away from the man she saw. She felt her cheeks heat up.


"Madeleine, dear," her mother called, "keep up your pace."


"Yes, Mama," said Madeleine as she walked along.


"You are bright red," said Madeleine's other brother, James.


Madeleine looked at him.


"Am I?" Madeleine asked.


James laughed in response.

 

[maxacec]

Asher shook his head, regaining his senses as he stood up and started to walk back down towards the castle throne room where they were to greet the visiting party. "Where are you going, Asher?" He smiled and said, "Duty calls, my dear siblings." He then turned and continued down the narrow staicase. His face was unnaturally serious as he walked, not understanding what had put him on edge all of a sudden. As far as he knows, the party will be given time to rest before the big negotiation that would take place the next day.


"Please let everything go smoothly.", he muttered to himself as he headed into the big hall where his parents and the visiting party had already started talking among each other.

 

[Harlean Hull]

Madeleine stood in between her brothers. She silently prayed that everything would be all right.


"Are you all right, Madeleine?" Henry asked.


Madeleine nodded.


"Yes," said Madeleine. "I'm just hoping everything will go all right."


Henry smiled.


"So am I," said Henry.


Madeleine looked at him and smiled.