The moment Fred and I began dancing, the others started to follow. It was like the previous events didn’t happen at all. At the moment, the visitors enjoyed the event as usual as they casually used the dancefloor.
“Fred, is it me, or do you suck at dancing now?” I said as he and I stood behind the buffet table and ate. I was eating while he was just looking at me and greeting guests when they passed by.
“I should be asking you that same question.” He responded and handed me a cupcake. “Try this.”
“I stepped on you one time! You also stepped on mine.” I complained but still accepted the cupcake nonetheless. Fred held this cupcake. It is now a national treasure that my stomach will enjoy.
Fred snickered. “You stepped on me first. I just returned the favor.”
“You’re a king now. Can you afford to fool around like that?”
“Now that I am king, I can do whatever I want.” Fred says and snapped his fingers. The people dancing at the dancefloor began to float in the air as they dance. They were shocked at first but they continued.
I looked at Fred. “Why didn’t you do that when we were dancing?”
“I was having too much fun dancing with you?” He suggested. “I mean, I just got a sense of nostalgia so I prefer a more grounded way of dancing.”
‘Master! Master! I want some cake as well.’ Custard whimpered and poked my leg with his paw. ‘Please?’
Fred saw Custard begging and picked him up. “Are you hungry, little guy? Pick whatever you want on the table. I heard that you were such a good boy and protected princess Rose.”
‘I’m a good boy! I’m a good boy!’ Custard panted and wagged his tail eagerly when he saw Fred picking up the same dessert that he handed me.
‘Custard, no fair. Why is Fred feeding you?’ I pouted. Custard ignored me as he continued to eat.
“By the way, Rose. I heard a strange rumor that you thanked someone for confessing to you. Was that you?” He asked.
I stared at Fred and then I inserted the whole cupcake in my mouth just so I couldn’t answer. Fred almost cried laughing out loud at my reaction that his blonde hair slightly fell in front of his eyes. He brushed them back in place and I swear I heard angels singing and flower petals raining all over us.
“Oh, you’re done?” Fred asked when he saw me gulp. I shook my head and slowly placed a whole cookie in my mouth next. Again, Fred waiting for me to finish. But every time that I was done, I would always grab something to eat because I refuse to answer his question without screaming in public.
I have to admit. It was pretty impressive for him to have the patience to wait for me. But I am even more impressive considering the number of sweets that I was eating.
“Princess Rose.” Someone suddenly called for me that I swallowed a half-chewed cupcake and felt my chest burning.
That really hurts. I shouldn’t have done that!
I looked back only to see Liliana carrying Nora in her arms. I raised a brow at the weird combination. “Liliana.” I said while pounding my chest to get rid of that burning feeling. “You do realize who you’re carrying right now, right?” I asked in fear that siscon bloodhound would appear somewhere.
“Wiwiana is nice!” Nora beamed. “She gave me a cookie.”
“Your highness.” Liliana gasped when she saw Fred. She and Nora immediately bowed at Fred’s presence. Fred was taken aback. He probably wasn’t used to this sort of treatment just yet.
“Liliana and Nora, right?” Fred guessed.
“Yes, your grace. Thank you for your hospitality and for letting us stay in Hazel.” Liliana bowed at him politely while Fred handed me something to drink.
“It’s a pleasure.” Fred replied.
“Hey.” The burning feeling on my chest finally seemed to subside after drinking. “Is this drink magic?” I asked him.
Fred grinned. “Even as a king you still refer to me as ‘Hey’?” He raised a brow at me.
“I’m sorry your, holiness.”
“Rose, I am a king. Not a priest.”
“Yes, your priest - I mean - king.” I blushed and cursed at myself for getting tongue-tied.
“Rosalie, are you causing trouble for King Fred again?” I looked to the side and pouted as my aunt came into view. She and King Luke were probably the most modest out of all the kings and queens in the area. My aunt was simply wearing a light blue gown that hugged her curves. She carries a small silver clutch and wears minimal silver jewelry. King Luke’s tuxedo simply matches his Queen’s gown color. He was freshly shaved and held his queen’s hand as they approached us.
My aunt took one look at the food that I was holding and Custard, who Fred was still feeling with desserts before she raised her brow at me. “Hi, auntie. And no. This is King Fred and not Prince Fred.” I smiled and showcased the food on the table. “Would you like to eat something?”
“Rose, you are a princess. Not someone who serves food here.” Then her eyes darted towards Fred and nodded her head in greeting. “It is good to see you. I am proud of the man that you have become. And please, King Fred, you do not have to humor her by staying here.”
Fred and I exchanged glances, then he smiled and winked. He picked up a whole plate of macaroon and offered it to my aunt. “Macaroon?” The image of Fred wearing an expensive formal attire and offering guests some macaroons didn’t sit right with my brain. King Luke and I snorted.
My aunt nudged King Luke to stop laughing while she gave me a warning glare.
“Wose.” Nora was reaching her hands out to me. “Come with me and Wiwiana.”
I bit my lips and looked at them first before looking back at Fred. The newly crowned king smile and sent me away with a nod of his head. “Go on. It seems like your aunt wants to talk to me about something.”
I took Custard from him. “See you later?”
“You know it.”
I smile before I turned to follow both Nora and Liliana. I have to admit that I was a tad bit disappointed that I didn’t get to spend much time with Fred. But I guess that it’s normal now that he is the king.
Especially that he is the king.
Liliana and Nora suddenly stopped in front of a beautiful noble lady. She has black hair and green eyes. Her lavender-colored ball gown looked expensive that I was already having seconds thoughts on whether she’s a noble or a royal.
“Princess Rose.” She curtsied and I almost followed her as well, but since my status is higher, I simply gave her a nod. “I have always wanted to meet you. My name is Gwen. I am Adam’s fiance.”
“Adam? Prince Adam Denver?” I blinked. Adam’s fiance is an elf?
“Hello, Lady Gwen.” I greeted her. “Congratulations on your engagement.” I beamed.
“Thank you, princess. It would be an honor if you can attend our engagement ceremony.” Gwen said. Her voice was so gentle and alluring that I was almost captivated by her. I wish all elves were like this.
“Engagement ceremony? When will it be?”
“There’s no exact date just yet but I will be sending you and the princes your invitations.” She says eyed Custard. She blushed and swallowed her breath. Then she started fidgeting really bad.
“Um...do you want to pet him?” I offered because she looked like she was really suffering while trying to keep her hands away from him.
Gwen’s face immediately brightened. “Can I!?” Her voice rose that she immediately covered her mouth. “Sorry.” She mumbled and tried again. “Is it really alright? He won’t get mad?”
‘Pet me! I won’t bite unless you harm my master.’ Custard looked at her and wagged his tail to seem friendly.
“Nope. His name is Custard.” I introduced.
“Custard? What an unusually adorable name!” She smiled and started to reach out towards him. When Custard rubbed his hand on her hand, Gwen almost dropped to the ground in happiness.
Liliana leaned in to whisper in my ear. “She loves animals. Trust me. She couldn’t stop petting me when I shifted into a lynx in front of her yesterday.”
“Yesterday? What happened yesterday that made you morph?” I asked and immediately regretted it. Liliana and Gwen exchanged a knowing look that suddenly made me nervous.
“Princess, yesterday when you and-”
Custard bark at my command when I realized what she was about to ask.
“I’m sorry.” I smiled sweetly. “What was that?”
“You and-”
Custard barked again.
Gwen thought that Custard simply wanted attention and went back to petting him with Nora. Only Liliana was the one that I wasn’t able to fool. She crossed her arms over her chest and laughed. “Alright. You win. We’ll no longer ask if you don’t want us to. Just so you know? We girls are on neutral grounds here.” She gestured towards her and then to Gwen and Nora. “Trust me, I have to pull Nora out before she further gets involved at the boys’s craziness.”
“Crazy? Who’s crazy?” The girls and I screamed when Dan suddenly popped up behind me, seemingly confused.
“Dan!” Liliana glared at him. “I told you not to bother her when she’s with me!”
“I’m not bothering you guys. I just came to offer Rose this lovely red drink!” He says cheerfully and handed it to me. Liliana took it just before I could touch the glass. She sniffed the contents and glared at him again.
“This is alcohol. You know what Ren says when she’s drunk!” She handed him back the glass.
“Of course I remember. And from what I remember, she sounds funny when she’s drunk and I want to see it for myself. This place needs a boost!” Dan declared like it was the brightest idea that he ever had. I gulped fearfully as soon as Dan fixed his gaze back at me. “Now, drink!”
“Brother!” Ren growled and pulled Dan’s collar back. “I just looked away for a few seconds and you are back to your evil schemes again!” Ren met my gaze. “Just ignore him. And if you see him, tell Custard to attack.”
“Ren, what is he talking about me getting drunk? I have never drunk alcohol.” I saw Nate heading towards our group and happily waving. But after I asked my question, he paused and immediately retreated in the opposite direction
Have I really been drunk?
“What the hell do you think bringing alcohol in the presence of my sister?” Ace looked murderous as he glared at the drink in Dan’s hands. “KEEP THAT AWAY FROM NORA!” He screamed and started going after Dan.
“Princess, come here quick.” Liliana pulled me away from them as they continued to fight. Ace was trying to grab the glass from Dan while Ren put himself between them and tried to keep them apart.
“Hey, elf prince! Be careful. This is not just an ordinary wine! It will be dangerous if this drops on someone. After all, I put a little bit of...love potion.” He says and laughed evilly.
“WHAT!?” Ace, Ren, and Liliana exclaimed.
“Awesome!” I gasped. “Imagine if that thing drops on them and they fell in love with each other.” I cackled at my brilliant imagination. Then, as if the universe heard me, Ace accidentally knocked the glass from Dan’s hand. The glass flew and spilled the contents over Ren and Ace’s head before it crashed to the ground.
At this point, I was dying and clapping my hands in laughter. This is amazing!
“Eltur! Darem! I call a truce!” Dan screamed at the two elf princes, who were apparently just hiding behind a curtain and spying on us. “Cover their eyes!”
They all began to busy themselves as Dan and the two elf princes ran and placed blindfolds over the eyes of their respective brothers. “You two,” Dan spoke to Ren and Ace. “Make sure that your eyes remain closed for 15 minutes!”
“I’ll kill you! You better hide your as -” Ace paused. “Is Nora nearby?” He whispered.
“Yes.”
“You better hide yourself within 15 minutes!” Ace corrected himself.
“Brother, you have gone too far this time!” Ren growled.
Ren and Ace were standing just close to each other, without moving. An evil grin spread across my face as I looked to Liliana. “What happens if they remove the blindfold BEFORE the 15-minute limit?”
“They would fall for the first person that they see.” She grunted and marched towards Dan and began scolding him. Eltur and Darem were there too, asking about any side effects of the potion.
I made my way to Ren and Ace and moved them so that they were facing each other. I bit my lips and looked back. The others were still busy arguing that I got my opportunity to remove their blindfolds. Then I slapped them both at the same time and ran away. The two let out growls of curses before they opened their eyes and stared at each other.
“Rose, what did you do?” Dan gasped as he and the others were looking at Ace and Ren. I was hollering with excitement as I waited.
“Are you the twin that brought that stupid wine?” Ace asked and cracked his knuckles.
“No. But I can help you get rid of him.” Ren answered.
“Nothing happened?” Darem asked and looked at Dan. “I think the seller cheated you with the potion.”
“But that was expensive!” Dan whined.
“You guys are disappointed? Just imagine how I feel!” I grumbled. My arms suddenly began to tingle and then I felt a sharp pain all over my arm. I hissed and took a glance. I wasn’t injured but why does it feel like I was whipped?
Then my left leg gave away as if I sprained it. But just like what happened with my arm. The pain quickly subsided.
This sort of feeling was similar to when I healed the chief.
Custard immediately ran in front of me. His eyes were laced with worry. ‘Master, it’s-’
‘I know, Custard. It’s Viex.’