“I have made my decision and I will not marry her.”
“Why not?”
“She is not suitable.”
Macee frowned. “She has been training for this since she was ten; she is far more suitable than I am.”
“Why haven’t you?”
“Why haven’t I what?”
“Trained like your sisters?”
“This was their dream, not mine.” Macee exhaled loudly. The conversation was not going anywhere. She still did not understand why he wished to marry her and she doubted that he understood why she did not want to marry him.
“Macee, this marriage is happening whether you like it or not. You are mine. Your parents were eager for one of their daughters to marry me. So you have no choice but to comply,” Prince Louis finally said.
“Well, I do not like it,” Macee muttered.
“Tough luck, ma cherie,” Prince Louis told her as he rose to his feet. Macee looked at him. How could someone so handsome be so arrogant and lack understanding. Prince Louis turned on his heel and left.
Chapter 8
It had been a few days since Macee and Prince Louis had spoken and now they were meeting once again. The wedding date was drawing close and they had to get their measurements taken for their wedding attire. Even though Macee did not want to be in the same room as the prince, it was far better than spending half her day with Bridgette and Charles.
“Good to see you again, princess Macee,” Prince Louis said mockingly. Macee did not appreciate his sarcasm.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Macee returned the sarcasm.
Bridgette, princess Katherine and the queen came into the room and Macee greeted the other members of the royal family with the deepest curtsy she could. Before the seamstresses started taking their measurements, Macee saw Prince Louis looking at her. “What?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he replied. He found it harder and harder to keep his eyes off Macee. Women never normally affected him this way and he’d have to bite down on his libido before it got out of hand. “The wedding date is fast approaching.”
“Such is life.”
That was not quite the response he had expected. On the occasions they had spoken, she made it clear that she did not want to marry him. Now that they were being fitted for their attire, he assumed she would be infuriated by it.
“So you've come to terms with everything?” Prince Louis asked.
“I have, but I am not pleased.” Macee kept her voice low so that the others would not hear their conversation.
“You should be pleased.”
“Are you?”
Macee turned to look at the prince. They held each other's gaze neither one of them was going to look away first. Princess Katherine turned her head and saw them staring at each other. “Look at them flirting with each other,” she said to her mother.
The queen laughed. “They seem to be growing fond of each other,” she said.
“It would seem so,” Bridgette said, unable to mask her displeasure. Earlier that morning she had suggested a different bride. She even had a name in mind, but the queen was fed up with her bringing it up all the time and told her never to mention it again.
“The wedding night is around the corner,” the princess said loudly with a mischievous smile. She was suggesting that they were in a rush to get their hands on each other. Macee's jaw dropped open. She looked to the side. The wedding night was one thing she did not want to be thinking about right now.
* * *
A few days later, as Macee came downstairs to work with Charles and Bridgette, she was surprised to see them going through the contents of several boxes. Curious, she walked over to see what all the interest was. Picking up a tea cup, she was shocked to see an artistic picture of Prince Louis and herself in their wedding attire, which wasn’t even finished yet.
“What? What’s all this?” she finally managed to blurt out as she looked at cups, plates, charms, scarves and other items with their image and wedding date printed on it.
“Examples of commemorative souvenirs,” Charles replied as he continued to check each item carefully. “We thought it important to review the prototypes before they were produced,” he added as he continued to work.
“Why do we have to have them?” Macee asked. She was horrified at the idea of seeing her picture on something people drink from.
“Silly child,” Bridgette said scornfully. “Of course, there needs to be souvenirs. You ARE marrying the Crown Prince.”
“So, everyone keeps reminding me,” Macee replied as she sighed. As the two continued to act as if she wasn’t there, Macee decided to take advantage and take the day off. Backing away, she left the room and headed back upstairs. Hoping for some sisterly support, she called Liane who started laughing. “It’s NOT funny,” Macee said with a pout.