Chapter 1: First Meeting

"Greetings, I am the second princess of Femalia Empire, Natalisia Dia Femalia."

Hands across the chest, fingertips lifting the skirt and slightly lower one's head while giving out a formal introduction to one royalty to another is the most basic etiquette within the high society. In corresponse to my introduction, the ginger haired prince too introduced himself with the etiquette of his own country.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Your Highness. I am the fourth prince of Meala Kingdom, Ethan Denisa Meala." Right hand across his chest and left hand on his back, the prince introduced himself with his head slightly lowered. Once proper introductions has been completed, we returned to a proper standing posture and began observing each other from head to toe, giving a good look at each other.

Although I am uncertain if I could give the prince a good first impression, but even if I was unable to meet his expectations in terms of appearance, I still feel proud of the maids who had helped me to prepare myself for this formal meeting. If it still couldn't please the eyes of the prince, then I guess the prince is not the right man for me.

Unlike most maidens my age, I had the maids gather my hair into a bun to allow me to appear more mature. Although my request in terms of my hair is simple, the maids decided to braid my hair as they gather them into a low bun and decorate them with tiny diamonds on their own so that I can show case more of my young age. I don't really like having a complex hairstyle since it just increase the amount of time I need to spend sitting in front of the mirror, but seeing that the final results brings out more charms in the platinum blonde color of my hair, I guess it is something that is worth the wait.

The maids insisted that I wear something grand for the occassion to showcase the power and wealth of the Empire. It took a lot of convincing, but I managed to convince them to put me in a simple navy blue gown. The dress itself doesn't consist much decorations and complex design, but I liked it since it slight sparkled under the light. Simple yet elegant, just the way I liked it and the way I wish to present myself to a potential candidate who may end up being my husband.

Since it's just a formal meeting, it's not necessary to dress extravagantly. So, I simply wore a light makeup which makes me look natural yet brights out the charms of my dark violet color of my eyes. And lastly, under the pressure of my lady in waiting, I wore a few diamond jewelry as accessories to complete the look.

I do believe that I have presented myself well in terms of appearance and upon observing the prince, he too seems to have a similar idea.

His ginger was neatly combed to the back, giving a gentle and neat impression upon first glance. Unlike myself where some skin was shown in the low back design of my dress, the prince was completedly covered up by his clothing. Although I know that it is customary that men's formal wear in this era are long sleeved clothing and long pants, I still couldn't help but feeling stuffy just by looking at his attire. The side cape on his right, the white gloves on his hand and furthermore thick boots on his feet.

I'm not sure about him but if I was in that attire right beneath the hot summer sun, I would've passed out from heat stroke. And yet, he doesn't seem to be sweating nor feeling discomfort from the heat. From my point of view, that is a rather amazing feat.

As per the rumors, the Prince is indeed handsome and well fitted. However, instead of his face and body, I find myself attracted to his eyes the most. A beautiful blue that seems to reflect the depths of the ocean, I heard that it is a common trait within the Meala Kingdom's imperial bloodline. Never knew that it had such a beautiful color.

"What are your thoughts on this, princess?" A voice draws me back from my thoughts, I turned around and paid my respect to the Empress who sat beneath the canopy before giving her my honest thoughts.

"Prince Ethan does give me a good impression, mother. However, I still wish to discuss further in details with the prince before making the decision. Of course, that is if the prince feels the same."I told my mother calmly, making sure that the people around me would have difficulties reading my true emotions. After all, even though I am the second born, I am still a candidate to the throne of Femalia. Things could be dangerous for me and my people if I am predictable.

"Haha, still as picky with your men as always, sister." The young lady with brown hair laughed as she gave her remarks towards my behavior. I simply stared at her, slightly annoyed by the fact that I'm related to this barbarian.

The first princess, Princess Estella Silvie Femalia. Unlike myself who had a rather 'skinny' and 'fragile' body as per her description, Estella has a rather strong fitted built body. Even if she had a dress and makeup on, the thing that never fails to attract people's attention had always been the muscles she build up over the years.

A bulky female gorilla if I had to be honest.

Despite her appearance, no one dares to cross her as she's not only the proud princess of this Empire, but also the greatest general ever known in the empire's history. Estella had earned the reputation and acknowledgement where people would go so far to claim that as long as Estella still stands, the proud Empire of Femalia will never fall.

As the younger sister of this amazing person, I preferred that she wouldn't make a hobby of teasing me just for the sake of her own entertainment. Sometimes, I do feel sick on her childish pranks.

"It would be the prince's greatest pleasure to have an audience with the princess." Suddenly, a servant from the Meala Kingdom made himself known by voicing out his prince's intention. I gave a side glance to the servant who seems rather joyous after saying that, while the master had casted his gaze downwards.

Hmm....

"Pardon me for not recognizing you, may I have the honors of knowing your name? "Turning to the servant, I asked him for his name. The people from Meala seems rather shocked by my question.

"Ah, my apologies, princess. I'm just a lowly servant, I'm not worthy of your recognition. "The servant answered with a slight blush on his face. It seems that he had misunderstood the meaning behind my question. I simply sighed at his stupidity.

"It seems that I have misunderstood. I thought that you hold a status much higher than a prince to be voice out your master's intentions. Is this perhaps how things work in Meala? "I asked and immediately the servants of Meala went pale upon hearing it. The Prince on the other hand seems fairly surprised at my action.

"My Highness, although the Meala Kingdom shares different culture than the Femelia Empire, the social status ranking is similar to ours. "Catching onto my intentions, my lady in waiting, Katherine explained in a voice loud enough to be heard by everyone yet said in a calm tone to make it seems that she didn't done it on purpose.

"Hmm..... It seems that I have mistaken greatly, do forgive me, prince. It seems that my desperation to understand your country seems to lead to a false recognition for a rude servant that dares to stand above its master. "Lowering my head a bit, I turned back to the Prince and apologized for my behavior.

"Pfft! Ahahahaha! "At the back, Estella bursted out laughing at the scene while slapping onto the table.

"Estella, you are a princess, mind your manners. "Mother simply sighed and lectured Estella. She said none to my behavior which gives out the silence meaning that she won't intervene us.

"Princess, that's..... "The servant tried to explain himself but he was cut off by the prince who lifted his hand as a signal to the servant to stop talking.

"The princess indeed have quite an interesting character. I am the one who should apologize to let you see a rather unpleasant side of Meala due to our lack of discipline to our servants. I will ensure that you'll never have see this again. As for your previous question, I do feel the same towards the princess. If you wish, I am more than happy to discuss things further with you. "With a rather gentle smile, the Prince finally give me his answer.

"I see. Do you like roses, prince? "Returning the smile, I asked him for his preference.

"Roses? "He seems a bit confused by my question.

"I have a rather charming rose garden in my palace. If you like, would you like to join me on a stroll alone in the garden while we discuss on the details? "I offered while giving out hints that no one should follow. Katherine closed her eyes and slightly nods upon receiving my orders.

"It would be my pleasure, princess. "Taking on my hand, the prince placed a kiss on the back of my hand as he accepts my invitation.

"Very well, then would you excuse us, mother? "Bowing before my mother, I asked for her permission to dismiss ourselves. Mother nodded and hand gestured us to go.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. May the Sun continues to bless the Empire of Femalia. "Paying my respect for one last time, I guided the Prince out from the castle's courtyard and to the garden of my own palace.

Not too long after we left, noises were heard from behind and the Prince instinctively stopped on his tracks to look. Seeing that my guest had stopped walking, I too paused on my journey and waited for him.

"The princess had said that she is going for a stroll with the prince alone and do not wish for any sort of disturbance. It is my duty to ensure that nothing and no one disturbs her. "Catherine's voice came from where we left.

It seems that she's doing a rather fine job in carrying out my orders.

I turned to the Prince, he seems rather hesitant about the whole ruckus. But, I just it's my responsibility as a woman to ease his worries.

"Come prince. We'll talk more once we reach the gardens and I assure you that we will be completely alone. No one will be watching nor listening to us. "I gave out my hints before turning around and continued walking. The prince did not follow immediately, but eventually footsteps was heard as he came back to his senses and followed me from behind. We didn't say a single word for the rest of the journey.

Good. Just like how I planned it to be.