2 Meeting The Cold Prince

Princess Rizelle followed the lead of the Esriven official and the official from her kingdom, Duke Sarez was also walking beside her. The Duke was a good friend of her father and he was looking at her with an assuring smile. Maybe he saw through how nervous she was on the inside despite her best attempt to not make it too obvious.

Vincent and Fina were walking behind her but when they reached the door to the royal court where everyone gathered, the two were told to wait outside. She will have to enter with Duke Sarez.

Rizelle Verona nervously stood before the huge door but when it was opened, she tried her best to appear confident. She was there, representing her beloved Kingdom; and no matter what, she won't allow anyone to look down on her kingdom because of her.

She loved Linolia more than she loved herself and it was why she was willing to give up on her peaceful and independent life to marry to a faraway place.

Princess Rizelle maintained an average pace and made her way towards the platform where the King of Esriven was there, sitting on his throne. There were many officials on her right and left, observing her every movement yet Rizelle never once lost her composure. Instead, she appeared confident.

When the Esriven officials looked at the beloved Princess of Linolia who was walking past them, her beauty was what caught their eyes. Her fair and silky skin; her shining light blonde hair that measured up to her waist; her mesmerizing pair of gray eyes and soft red lips; everything about her was perfect.

It wasn't just the officials, King Hamon was also examining the elegant Princess from his throne and when Rizelle finally halted, the King made a comment before she could even greet him.

"The Princess of Linolia surely live up to the rumors," King Hamon Caderin remarked in a loud voice for everyone to hear. "Maybe she's even more beautiful than what people say."

Looking up at the King from where she stood, the first thing that crossed Rizelle's mind when she saw the smirk on King Hamon's lips was 'insane'.

If he wasn't a King, he would easily pass as a mad man!

Nevertheless, it's not like she can say this out loud.

First, she curtseys before the King. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Esriven King was still gawking at her and Rizelle was feeling a bit uncomfortable.

What's wrong with him?

Maybe the King had some sense, he finally broke his gaze and rose from his throne. Then slowly, he walked down the steps and stood on the same floor as her. "Welcome to Esriven, Princess," he said to Rizelle with a nod while maintaining some distance between them.

This time, Rizelle Verona didn't respond and it didn't matter as the King's gaze swept his officials right away. When his gaze landed on the young man who was standing on the first row in Rizelle's right, a small yet indescribable smile was visible on King Hamon Caderin's face.

"Nicien, why don't you come and greet your bride?"

Prince Nicien Vamieres?!

Even Rizelle was taken aback by how fast she trailed the King's gaze! It seemed like she wasn't completely uninterested in finding out about the man whom she will soon wed.

A young man was walking towards them and in no time, he was standing beside the King and opposite her. He looked at the King and when the latter urged him through a gesture, he turned his attention to Rizelle, finally.

For the first time, his black eyes met Rizelle's but the next second, he averted his gaze and slightly bowed instead. "I'm Nicien Vamieres," was all he said to the woman who will soon become his wife.

His lack of words didn't surprise only Rizelle but also all the officials who were present there.

That's all?

Still feeling a bit surprised, Princess Rizelle had her gaze on her future husband. She heard that he was 20 but he was already a Commander with many achievements under his belt. He was quite tall and handsome too. Maybe because of his black hair and black eyes paired with thick eyebrows; he gave off a very masculine yet cold vibe.

He didn't exude any warmness at all and Rizelle didn't miss this fact.

Maybe the rumors were true. He must really be a cold-blooded devil who only cared about his greed.

When an awkward silence occupied the royal court for more than a minute, one loud voice suddenly echoed in the huge hall, shifting the attention of everyone to the person who spoke up.

"That's not how you should greet your future wife," one young man said in a playful yet annoyed tone. He was standing on the front row in Rizelle's left and everyone turned their attention to him when he simply walked towards the middle where Rizelle and others stood. Once he reached there, he stood next to Prince Nicien and placed his hand on the latter's shoulder.

"You should do it like a gentleman," the young man continued, looking at Prince Nicien with a playful smile on his face.

Surprised and confused, all Princess Rizelle could do was stare at the confident yet lively young man standing before her.

Looks or behavior... he was everything that Nicien wasn't. They might only share one thing - handsomeness.

The young man had blonde hair with captivating blue eyes and unlike Prince Nicien Vamieres, he gave off a friendly vibe. Not to mention that he wore a little smile all the time. He also seemed to be the same age as Prince Nicien.

For a while, the young man looked at Nicien, giving him a hopeful look. Nevertheless, the latter maintained his composure and stood still without saying or doing anything. Then the young man sighed and turned his attention to Princess Rizelle.

Much to Rizelle's surprise, he asked for her hand. At one point, Rizelle even wondered if the young man was crazy!

Nevertheless, when she looked around, she noticed that everyone's attention was on the man. Then she reluctantly gave her hand to the young man who leaned down to plant a kiss on the back of her hand. Still holding onto the hand, the young man looked up at Rizelle with a little smile on his face.

"I'm Crown Prince Alerone Caderin of Esriven. It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Rizelle Verona."