A Crown Bound in Spite

Summer holidays were nearing their close, and the season of royal weddings was returning, to your private dismay, so you meant to enjoy your freedom while it lasted before leaving the retreat manor to face that line of suitors. But however much you wished to remain there for as long as possible, your mother - the Queen had chosen to accept a duchess's invitation for tea. You were not blind to the fact that this was her manner of pressing you to meet the son of one of her friends. The instant you stepped from the carriage, you caught sight of Prince Alistair Beaumont standing with his entourage before their little castle, plainly awaiting your arrival, and the moment your eyes met his, you grimaced. How could someone look so weasel like even in something so luxurious? He crossed the distance toward you and your mother. After kissing each of your hands, he moved to your side. "It is always such a pleasure to see you, Princess Elara Ashbourne", he greeted softly before turning to the Queen with a courteous smile, "And you as well, your Highness" "My pleasure, Alistair", your mother replied before motioning for you to smooth that permanent frown from your face. It was her usual habit, to remind you of your manners before the public. Alistair Beaumont took the lead through the house, or more accurately, steered you toward the gazebo set in the middle of their very immaculate garden, though it was nowhere near as beautiful or as wide as yours. The ladies-in-waiting went ahead while the Prince lingered behind to walk beside you. He chattered on about his triumphs in duel competitions, but none of it truly entered your mind, only the thought that he would be shocked once he heard the news. News that you, yourself, had grieved over for days and even written to the cause of it, begging for it to be called off. gave a prim cough so her maids would help you into your chairs, and you could only roll your eyes at the adoring look she gave the Queen. The lengths of being a stick in the mud only to raise their status higher was ridiculous. She paused before you and you met her gaze head on, knowing she was truly disappointed that she could no longer have you for a daughter-in-law. And well, considering you were the one even more disappointed, it was especially unnerving. "How have you been, Princess Elara Ashbourne?", she asked, studying you with a thoughtful glance behind her massive floral fan.