Chapter 216 - No place like home (1/2)
Zakynthos Island, Greece 1888
Camilla resisted the pull of her mother's hand on her arm as she was dragged through the elaborately arched doors of the ocean-side palace. It was finally time to meet the prince she'd been betrothed to since the day she was born... and to move to his palace! Her eyes took in the beautiful, well-kept garden directly inside the gates; but all the beauty in the world was not enough to ease her frustration and fears of what was to come. ”But momma what if they don't like me? What if I don't like him?!” She dug in her heels more, but her ten-year-old frame was no match for the queen of the Nordic wolf tribe. ”Momma, please! I don't want to do this! Just take me home, please!” She begged, but it was no use.
”This is your duty, my child. The same duty that every girl born of royal blood has gone through before you from the beginning of our history.” Morinne's eyes trailed from her husband's back to the girl tugging against her grip. ”Is this how you want to make your first impression? Instead of holding your head high and accepting your responsibilities and duties like the well-bred princess you are, you'd rather struggle against your mother like a common peasant? I think not, young lady.” Her eyes darted up to the man leading their small group as she lowered her voice. ”Now either you straighten up and start behaving yourself accordingly, or so help me, I'll tell your father. You don't want him to come back here and drag you through the palace, now do you?”
Camilla swallowed hard as her eyes moved from her mother's face to her father's back. She shook her head rapidly as she stumbled forward. ”N...no mother...” Her father was loving but demanding and was not afraid to discipline. Her hand grew sweatier as they were let into the front doors of the palace. Her eyes widened at the magnificent room. Yes, she had grown up in a palace as well... but it was not nearly as grand as this one. Her eyes moved around the room in amazement until finally falling on the small group of people who now greeted her father and mother. Her eyes trailed over their stunning clothing that made her own look like near rags in comparison. {No wonder father is so eager to see this agreement through...} Her eyes moved from the a.d.u.l.ts, in search of the boy in question. {What will he look like? Will he be as regal as his parents?} Her mind raced as she leaned over slightly trying to get a better look. A slight tug to her hand brought her attention back up to her mother who was glaring down at her.
”Behave!” Morinne lipped to her disobedient daughter.
”I am pleased to present my beautiful daughter, Princess Camilla De'Barbarak Adolpha.” King Aegen stepped aside to reveal his wife and daughter who was still glaring at one another. He cleared his throat in irritation and embarrassment. ”Morinne, dear, would you not like to introduce our daughter now?” He said through a clench-toothed smile.
Morinne sent her daughter one last glare before she sent the most charming smile toward the waiting king and queen of the Mediterranean wolf clan. ”Your Majesty's, please forgive us. This is my daughter, Camilla. It is a pleasure to be here and she is overjoyed to have the pleasure to meet her future husband and your son.” Forgetting the boy's name, Morinne shoved her daughter forward instead.
Camilla froze, her eyes open wide as two boys stepped out from either side of their parents. Her eyes automatically fell on the younger of the boys. He was absolutely breathtaking with long sun kissed curls pulled up into a messy knot and dazzling blue eyes that could rival the sky. She had to struggle with the urge to let her jaw drop. She had been so taken by the younger boy, she hadn't even realized the other was present until he was approaching her with his hand extended and an irritated arch to his brows. She took in the older boy as he shook her hand, blocking her view of the other. He had muddy greenish eyes and mousy brown hair. One may consider him tolerable if never getting the opportunity to see his younger brother... unfortunately once seeing the younger brother the word tolerable was completely obliterated. Cam couldn't help the urge to glance around the boy now shaking her hand and faking pleasantries.
”Fernando, dear, why don't you and Alessandro take Camilla to see the rest of the palace and her new living quarters while we finish the rest of the transaction.” His mother called out with a wave toward them.
Fern nodded obediently as he took Cam's hand and led the way toward the doors leading into the rest of the palace. Once away from the a.d.u.l.ts, Fern turned toward her and studied her. He snarled his nose at her clean but worn, outdated dress. ”I suppose you'll have to do.” He said dismissively. He turned to his younger brother. ”I have more important work to do. Show her around if you must, I'll be upstairs in the study. See that you don't bother me.” He shooed them away as he began to mount the stairs gracefully.
Ales huffed out an aggravated breath of air. ”Jerk...” He whispered once Fern was out of earshot. He turned his attention to Cam, studying her but unable to find what his brother found so distasteful. She had bright eyes that were only slightly lighter than his own and pale blonde hair styled into long ringlets. He reached out and gave one a gentle tug and smiled as it bounced back into place. ”He's not always a jerk... only most of the time...” Ales said as his attention moved away from her bouncy curls back to her wide eyes. He held out his hand in a gentlemanly fashion. ”If you would like, I can go ahead and give you the tour along with showing you your room. It is on the same floor as my own. Only two doors down actually! Would you like to go there first?”
Cam's eyes widened more as his warm hand took hers, sending chills down her spine. She couldn't decide whether she should struggle against his hold or give in to her curiosity and allow him to lead her through the magnificent castle. ”Wait...” She stammered when he took her silence as agreement.
Ales turned bright, excited eyes toward her. ”What's wrong? Would you like to see somewhere else instead? No problem, what do you like doing the most? If you like reading, we could go to the library first! OHOHOH! Do you like music? We could go to the music room! I've gotten quite well at the piano!” His words came out in excited rapid-fire order as he began to tug on her hand again.
”No, wait!” She called out as he pulled her in a near run down a long corridor.
Ales came to an abrupt halt and giggled as she slammed into him. ”I'm sorry, but when you yelled 'no' I instantly stopped! I suppose too many lashes for not doing so has trained me well! What is it, princess?” He asked, quizzically tilting his head.
She tugged her hand free and brushed out the invisible wrinkles of her dress, secretly wiping away the sweat of her palms as well. She cleared her throat indignantly as she brushed away a bouncy curl that had fallen free during their hasty jog down the corridor. ”Uh hum... You didn't give me time to answer... um...” She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. ”I don't believe you even bothered giving me your name.” She tried to force sternness into her voice as she studied the boy. He was slightly shorter than her but not by much. Her eyes traveled over his attire landing on the soft slippers that matched the fabric of his beautiful outfit. He looked every bit the prince he was born to be.
Ales giggled again. ”I'm sorry, I just assumed you had already been informed of such.” He straightened his stance as if he were about to introduce himself to visiting a.d.u.l.t diplomats for the first time. Extending his hand out for a shake, he said. ”I am Prince Alessandro, younger brother of Prince Fernando... which you met earlier.” He shook her hand when she finally placed it reluctantly into his. ”You may call me Ales if you'd like, everyone does, and you can call Fern... well Fern. He'll be irritated but he's always that way, so just as well.” He shrugged and tightened his grip on her hand. ”Now, where would you like to see first?”
Cam thought about it for a second. ”I am not proficient at any instruments, but I do love music.” Her eyes widened as another thought came to mind. ”Oh, and you may call me Cam, most do.” She giggled as she threw his own words back at him.
Ales smiled widely revealing perfectly straight, white teeth. ”A pleasure to meet you finally, Cam! We shall be great friends! Now, are you ready?” He waited until Cam nodded before his smile widened. ”Great! This way!” He turned and set off at an even faster jog this time with her hand tightly in his.