I blinked.
In his letter, he’d said something about decorating the palace with dahlias. So, he actually went and did it…
It was clear that Daniel had taken great pains to help me feel at home.
How happy I would’ve been with a gesture like that, back when I was still so naïve and knew nothing.
But knowing the horrible fate that’d ensued before, Daniel’s kind gesture made me feel sick. I was starting to think that engagement talks must be going on in the background for us for real.
I couldn’t forget how he’d changed in the blink of an eye and become a complete monster.
Which one of them is the real Daniel, though?
I looked up at his refined face searchingly. He noticed my gaze and looked down at me. When our eyes met, he gave me a soft smile.
Daniel led me to one of the Sunruta Kingdom Royal Palace’s many dining halls.
It wasn’t that big. But the tall ceilings gave it a spacious feel. The main dining hall would’ve been too big for the number of guests invited, so this one had been selected instead.
There were about twenty people seated along the long dining hall table. Many of them were royals from other countries. As Daniel escorted me into the room, they stopped chattering and quickly got to their feet.
“Feel free to sit down and relax; not everyone’s here yet! But this is Princess Annabel from the land of Najir.” With a gentle smile, Daniel waved at the guests, encouraging them to sit back down.
Clearing my throat, I introduced myself as well, as custom dictates. “Greetings. I am Princess Annabel Nalia Gottenheim of Najir.”
I could feel the guests’ piercing eyes on me even as I gazed straight past them. Being escorted by Daniel, the host of this event, indicated that I was somebody important to him. If not his official fiancé then, at the very least, there were romantic feelings here, on one side or the other. That’s what everyone must be thinking.
As I stood there awkwardly, someone spoke up with a voice as clear as a ringing bell. “Oh! Is that Princess Annabel?” the voice said, and I looked up. “Hello, Princess Annabel! I’ve been dying to meet you! I really hope that you and I will become good friends.”
I gazed at the girl in surprise as she rose from her seat and came over to me, smiling. She looked about my age. I was completely taken aback.
She had beautiful, braided red hair.
Her eyes, shaded by thick lashes, were sparkling green, like emeralds. Her alabaster skin was tinged prettily with pink.
And she was smiling at me like she really was delighted to meet me… But…
“Bel, this is Princess Karina of Nigren. She’s my age, so only a year older than you. It would be great for you to have a friend from one of our neighboring countries. I hope you’ll get along with her.”
Charles also approached me, smiling. He’d already been seated at the table when we came in. Beside him, the girl smiled bashfully.
“My name is Karina Niqvist.”
She lowered her head gracefully and executed a perfect curtsy.
I still couldn’t move, though. I was frozen to the spot.
This woman—this innocently smiling woman—was Karina Niqvist. The Princess of Nigren. The woman who’d ruined and imprisoned me in my past life. The devilish she-witch herself.
Fear mixed with anger came bubbling up inside me.
Get along with her?
I’d rather eat dirt than be friends with someone like you!
“Princess Annabel?”
Karina’s face began to fall as she realized I wasn’t saying anything and was simply staring at her sharply. I watched as she tilted her head, looking to my brother for assistance.
“This is Bel’s first time out of our country and she’s very nervous. She may come off as prickly, but I assure you, there’s no ill intention. I do hope you’ll take her under your wing, Karina.” Charles hurried to appease her on my behalf.
“Ah.” Princess Karina nodded understandingly. “So, you’re feeling nervous. I was nervous too on my first visit to a foreign country! I felt like my heart was going to leap out of my chest! But don’t worry, you’ll soon get used to things.”
Karina’s eyes glazed over as if she was remembering her own past trials. Then she shook her head and smiled at me again. The other guests chuckled, and the room’s atmosphere lightened up considerably.
I was the only one who remained unsmiling.
“Now that the introductions are taken care of, let’s all take our seats, shall we? I’ve saved a seat next to mine that’s for you, Princess Annabel.” Daniel smiled as he directed everyone to take their seats.
I obediently sat where he indicated.
Sitting beside Daniel felt awkward enough. But it was made even worse by Karina being positioned directly opposite me.
“Please, have a seat.”
Daniel pulled out my chair with a flourish. It was a gallant gesture and not something I would’ve been expecting from a prince. I blinked rapidly.
“Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome.”
Daniel gave me a twinkling smile and I chewed my lip, unsure whether or not to smile back.
I looked away from Daniel and gazed at the floral centerpieces on the table. From the corner of my eye, I could see Daniel raise a hand to signal the start of the feast, and all of a sudden, the footmen appeared, bringing dish after dish to the table.
The little plate of appetizers in front of me looked gorgeous, like an arrangement of jewels.
I cut a tiny piece and brought it to my mouth. Rich flavors spilled over my tongue.
“Does it suit your palate, Princess?”
I blinked, jaws still chewing, and looked up at Daniel, who was gazing sideways at me.
“Yes, it’s very delicious.”
“I am pleased to hear that. I’ll have to let the chefs know. They’d be delighted to see you captivated by their cooking like that.”
I looked down at my plate. Too nervous to make small talk, I’d tried to lose myself in eating. Now my plate was almost completely empty.
I had the feeling Daniel had been watching every bite I took.
I looked up to see my brother chatting animatedly with Princess Karina from across the table.
✦ ✦ ✦
CROWN Prince Daniel of the Sunruta Kingdom was officially crowned in a solemn ceremony, which proceeded smoothly from start to finish.
It was called a coronation. But, of course, Daniel wasn’t becoming king. Instead, he was officially accepted as the rightful prince and heir apparent.
I’d been expecting a basic, no-fuss ceremony. But it was much grander and more elaborate than I ever could’ve anticipated.
And, in the short space of time I was able to observe him, it was clear to me that Daniel was well-loved by his people.
Commoners weren’t permitted to witness the coronation, of course. But they’d gathered in droves outside the palace gates, where they could be heard cheering. Wearing a modest crown that was smaller and less elaborate than the king’s, Daniel looked every inch the gallant, noble, people’s prince.
There was so much applause for him. So much cheering.
Everyone was smiling, joy evident on their faces.
I smiled a little as I watched Daniel wave to his subjects, feeling like a lost child left behind. Then Daniel turned, his eyes searching before locating me. He softened his eyes just a little, smiling.
Did he just…smile at me?
I heard my heart pounding in my ears as I quickly looked away.
When I looked back, Daniel was facing away from me once more, waving at the crowd again.