44

Noah
I shot a pretentious smile at everyone, bowing towards my father and the King of Arendelle and his wife who kept smiling before sitting down.
“Your son has good manners. ” King James spoke while poking his fork in a plate of green vegetables.
“Thank you.” My mother said, a smile spreading across her lips.
My fork kept digging into my scrambled eggs and my mouth as I focused on myself.
“Good morning, Noah. ” I heard Matilda greet me with a smile while lifting her head to look at me.
The desire to ignore was overpowering but the constant glare from my mother and Ruby who kept nudging me by the elbow resulted in me, opening my mouth.
“Good morning. ” I said, flatly without any emotion.
“I heard that you haven’t shown yourself to the people of Midon since you were twelve. The Midon Festival is just around the corner, would you not engage in it?” I heard Queen Sophia say before picking up a glass half filled with water. Her smile was impeccable and perfect. The way she held the stem coupled with her hands that coiled around it perfectly.
I bit my bottom lip. Why would I be asked such a question in the early morning?
“I just don’t like the flashes of a camera in my face and I will not participate in the Midon Festival. ” I spoke, hoping that I was polite.
“You hate cameras and yet you are the future of Midon. You fascinate me, my boy. ” I heard King James chuckle lightly.
“He would grow over it.” My father answered gruffly, “So how is Arendelle, lately? I haven’t been there since eight years ago. ”
“It has grown so much in size and money,” King James answered with a toothy smile, “We are hoping on building more schools and theaters, soon.”
My father passed a deceitful smile towards the latter, his forehead revealing a nasty frown.
“That is delightful. ” I heard Eli say, raising his glass.
I wasn’t surprised that the Arendelles did not attempt to start up a conversation with Eli. They had heard about his escapades from the newspapers.
“So when are we going to talk about them?” Eugene looked at me with a smile beginning to form on her lips while she ate.
“They look like a good match but they still need to talk more. Go out on a few outings and then afterward, we can discuss the wedding. ” Queen Sophia suggested, patting Matilda’s back.
I clicked my tongue. They didn’t come here to check if I was suitable for their daughter. Their selfish ambitions of an alliance with their Kingdom were their topmost priority, sadly.
“I heard Matilda was unable to satisfy you on your blind date. I must say, you’re a picky man. ” King James uttered.
I slowly opened my mouth, my eyes directly facing Matilda’s while I shoved a slice of cucumber into my mouth.
“Picky is not quite the word, your majesty, ” I answered, “I was meeting her for the first time and there were just a few things I found strange about your daughter.”
“And those few things can be changed, can’t they, Matilda?” Queen Sophia looked at her daughter once more, “I have always told her to be outspoken and a bit open but I guess she would have to change to please you. ”
What the heck?
I shook my head and looked at everyone in the room as they resumed speaking. My father kept asking King James about the borders of his Kingdom and if he needed more soldiers while my mother was eating her food while looking at Matilda who was mute and meek like a lamb.
I was stunned when Matilda rose from the antique chair, using another fork to single out a piece of meat from a bowl and put it in my bowl.
“Your daughter is so adorable. ” My mother exclaimed while my father nodded in approval.
“Would you like to talk after breakfast? We can speak comfortably in my chambers and let the children talk. ” My father suggested.
“Of course, we have so much to talk about.” King James answered earnestly.
“And so do we,” Queen Sophia faced my mother and then at Eugene, “I would like for you to give me a tour of your precious abode and I heard that Queen Meghan’s crown still exists, right there. ”
“You hear so many things.” King James taunted and the entire room roared in laughter while I was left alone, wondering what the joke was all about.
“Laugh a little. You’re going to ruin it. ” Ruby spoke amidst gritted teeth.
“Can you enlighten me on what the joke was about?” I hurriedly whispered.
“I don’t know. Just laugh. ” Ruby pinched me by the sides.
I was still surprised by why they were all laughing when I sighted Matilda putting a banana in her mouth and sucking the tip slowly before thrusting it into her mouth. She then changed her composure and ate it slowly like an angel.
Was she trying to seduce me or toy with me?
“You are going horse-riding with Matilda before lunch. I hope you remember that.” My mother said, firmly while shredding a piece of meat with a knife.
She wasn’t reminding me, she was telling me that I needed to go.
“Yes, Mother. ” I replied, my mouth was beginning to go bland and the food seemed tasteless at that very moment.
“I rarely rode horses in Arendelle but I think it would be an adventure doing it with you, Noah. Thank you for allowing me to spend time with you.” Matilda uttered with a radiant and bright smile on her face. Her shady attempt at looking like a docile woman who spoke little and always wanted to flatter everyone was getting on my nerves.
She had previously told Eugene how perfect her posture was and she told my mother that she loved her skin and her dress.
It was even off-putting that no one could see through her. I gulped water and was reminded of the fact that Rose didn’t come down for breakfast.
Was it because of what I said?
I felt a bit guilty about telling her to grow up but she needed to. I knew she rarely had the chance to take opium in Midon and on rare occasions that she was bold enough to, she made a complete mess of it.
My father was lucky to encounter one of her crazy moments when she stood on the royal dining table and began to dance, yell and kick away the plates and bowls off the table. It took a whole week for my father to be appeased but decided to give out the Edgmor Cottage to Eugene, Eli, and Rose.
The servants who helped her with getting the opium were stripped and fired from the kitchen department. They couldn’t leave because of the rules and I found it a bit unfair since Rose manipulated them to do her bidding.
“I am sure that before the next year, your son would be sitting on that throne and a baby boy would be on the way right after. ” King James’s voice broke me out of my reverie.
“Father.” Matilda covered her face shyly.
“Isn’t it a bit early to talk about me ascending the throne and having a son with your daughter? The wedding hasn’t even happened yet.” I muttered slowly, lifting my head.
“I was just excited, my boy. I know you’re nervous about everything and so is, Matilda. ” King James answered.
I was about to respond when my mother cleared her throat. It was as if she could read my mind and what I was about to say.
My father cleaned his lips with a napkin, his eyes now focused on me.
“Sometimes my son gets a bit agitated about what is about to come next in his life. He is a bit scared about ascending the throne. ” My father said, “Isn’t that the case, Noah?”
“Yes, Father. ” The corner of my lips sloped downward like a hill when he spoke. He wanted me to shut up and remain mute. I continued my food, ignoring Ruby’s attempt at trying to make me amused.
It wasn’t funny anymore. Now I felt choked by the neck, literally.
****
I walked briskly with Matilda following behind me, wearing a yellow shirt and deep-blue jeans that displayed her curves. I had to change after breakfast and wait for Matilda to show from a distance before setting off without a word.
“You walk too fast,” she commented, stomping her boots.
“And you walk quite slowly, Duchess.” I taunted, turning back to look at her.
“I am sorry if I upset you, the other day. I was a bit sensitive. ” Matilda explained, “I should have been more understanding about the situation and less violent about my approach. I know it’s a little late for that.”
I turned back, mashing my lips with my hands tucked into my pants.
“Apology not accepted and I have no interest in you.” I tilted my head and continued walking toward the royal stable.
“Holding a grudge against me is useless, you have to let it go and start afresh.” Matilda moaned.
“And who are you to tell me how to think, act or do?” I yelled without looking back, the lush grasses tickling my skin.
“For goodness sake, just let it go. We can start afresh like strangers who just met for the first time.” Matilda suggested.
I sighed heavily, shutting my eyes briefly before halting.
“What got into you? Do you want to put an effort into an arranged marriage? It’s so odd of you to act polite and now, apologizing is even worse.”
“Well, what if I told you that my father always compared me to my brothers? They are smarter, more resilient, and more royal according to him.” Matilda started, “-And my mother keep picking on every mistake I make and she-”
I cut her off, clicking my tongue.
“Are you trying to make yourself a victim?” I started walking again.
“Why would I? I’m just exhausted about what had happened between us when we could have a fresh start like normal adults.” Matilda said.
“Are you sure you’re the woman I met yesterday?” I squinted my eyes, hoping that I wasn’t losing my mind. She was nasty and annoying, the previous night. She kissed my cheek and claimed me without permission and now she wanted us to act like normal adults.
“Matilda, you have -” I turned back and my eyes and mouth opened at the same time in trepidation, noticing the impending danger.
“What is it?” Matilda looked at me with confusion.
With quick strides, I reached out for her shoulders, pushing her away from the stray horse that was advancing toward her. Her midnight black hair kissed the wet grasses while I was on top of her, cupping the back of her hair in my palm, my breathing still unstable.
I was about to rise on my feet when she held me down by wrapping her hands around my neck, breathing heavily in my ear, and uttering a word that kept me rooted at that spot.
“Save me! “