Royal Treatment

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I shook my head in response, not able to come up with an answer. The prince let go of me at last and moved inside, admitting someone he spoke to briefly before sending away. The awkwardness had not dispersed as we sat on the couch, watching as the boat cleaved through the icy water.

The music continued in the background and Siegfried stood suddenly, grabbing my hand. I was startled at the sudden contact. Then he pulled me close, holding me to his firm chest. “Dance with me,” he mumbled.

I looked up at him in shock, but he was gazing at the back bar, his light blue eyes fixated. His lips were closed tightly and I could see a faint pinkness on his cheeks. Was he embarrassed?

Siegfried put his hand upon my hip and guided my movements. Suddenly I felt embarrassed at his expertise. His breath rustled my hair as he held me against him. Despite his young age, he led me magnificently around the small room.

I began feeling relaxed at last, swept away in his arms. Although he was much taller than me, I found that his warm arms cradled me in a perfect spot against his body and we moved as one. Then he leaned close to me and I felt a blush crawling up my neck. We were very close.

“You…” he whispered, his deep voice making me shiver. “Who are you?”

I froze suddenly, stopping our dance. Looking up I was arrested by his steely glare. Despite being so close, I suddenly felt far from him again. Did he know something? Someone knocked upon the door then and Siegfried released me from his arms without a thought. As he went to the door, it opened to reveal Christophe. The two spoke quietly.

“We’ll be arriving at Azolla Pier soon,” Christophe said, raising his voice so I could hear as well. Siegfried excused himself into the interior of the yacht, leaving me alone with his trusted servant.

“So soon?” I blurted out. Christophe looked at me curiously as I bit my tongue. I didn’t want him to get the impression that I wanted to stay here any longer with the frigid prince.

“His Highness has urgent business to take care of,” Christophe responded at last. “Unfortunately.” He added the last bit with a twinkle in his eye, as if he knew what I was thinking.

Looking down at my hands I clasped them together. How mortifying.

“Did you enjoy your time?” Christophe asked me politely, his dark eyes watching me intently.

“Yes,” I said quietly.

Christophe smiled then, brightening his face from his normally solemn expression. “Good. I know His Highness is very serious, but he really was glad that you showed up today.”

“Christophe!” shouted a deep voice. Looking towards the door, we saw the prince standing there looking very irritated. He looked very flustered as he approached us. “Make the necessary preparations for our arrival,” Siegfried finished rather awkwardly.

Christophe bowed low, his expression once again serious. “Madame,” he said as he bowed to me as well. Then he disappeared inside the boat.

Siegfried looked over at me harshly. “Don’t talk to him,” he said curtly. His eyes darted to the side nervously. “He has nothing interesting to say…”

 

The yacht docked with a gentle tremor and I sat still as the crew prepared for our debarking. Siegfried seemed a little apprehensive about leaving and I soon realized why.
“Princess!” shouted an exuberant voice when we stepped out onto the deck.

Standing below us upon the pier was Prince Orcello with a beaming smile on his face. Prince von Adler stepped between Van and I. His face contorted into an expression of displeasure.

“Prince Orcello, what a surprise.” Prince von Adler’s tone was rather cold.

Van’s eyes narrowed but he spoke coolly through a smile. “Of course Prince von Adler; I hope your outing was as wonderful as mine. Undoubtedly it was much more pleasurable seeing the company you kept. I can’t imagine it was anything but delightful.”

Looking at Siegfried’s face I was a bit frightened. Gone was the bashful youth from earlier. Suddenly I could see how Thiamat had risen to the top of the five kingdoms under the guidance of this man. His ice blue eyes looked as if they could burn through the smiling prince on the pier.

He took a step forward, but suddenly Christophe appeared next to us and spoke clearly. “The boarding ramp is now set, Your Highness.”

Siegfried snapped from his intense concentration on Van and looked at Christophe before waving him away. He then turned to me and took my hand. “Come,” he said. It was an order, not an invitation.

Van approached us as we stepped off the yacht at last. He glanced at our hands. Embarrassed by the scrutiny I quickly tried to pull my hand free. However Siegfried moved lightning quick and tightened his hold, keeping me in place. Van did not look happy.

“Christophe, the car.” Siegfried ordered his servant in curt tones, taking his eyes off of Delphino’s prince for just a moment.

Van gave a dramatic sigh. “You’re such a bully, Siggy-boy. Let me spend some time with Ms. Werner for a change.”

If looks could kill, Prince Orcello would have dropped dead on the spot. Prince von Adler whirled to face the mischievous prince, his teeth clenched tightly. He squeezed my hand painfully hard as he balled up his fists and I gave a whimper of pain.

“Oh!” he said suddenly, realizing what he had done. He let go of me in shock.

Van took that opportunity to grab my free hand and pull me to him. “Let’s go Princess, I have great plans for us today.” He winked at me.

Siegfried raised his hand as if to stop us but Christophe had once again appeared at his side and spoke quietly. Siegfried looked torn but at last his shoulders slumped in defeat. A sleek black car pulled up then and the door opened.

“You,” he said, affixing me with a pleading look. “Tonight, please…” He sounded strangely desperate but Christophe cleared his throat and he turned on his heel, ducking into the car that was waiting for him.