Chapter 4: Chapter Three: Engagement

Prince POV

I nervously nibble on the tips of my fingers and my face is pulled in a hard scowl while waiting outside my father’s throne room.  I hear his booming voice screaming at the patrol guards through the massive royal blue, trimmed with silver, double doors. Scolding them for carelessly allowing a pirate ship to get through into our main food supply. My father somehow found out about the pirate ship at the cove and he is furious for us not informing him. Especially furious at me for involving my youngest sister. I would have never have gotten her involved if I had known it was the Black Diamond crew. I scold myself for ever thinking I could handle a ship like that by myself... but I did. Although, it almost went terribly wrong. The captain had a tiny cannon in his hand. Sounded like a crack of thunder whenever he used it and had the ability to break rock. It’s stunning to see such dimwitted humans come up with something so deadly. Maybe if we can get our hands on the device we can create something like it.

The crew had a human girl on board. She seemed to be apart of the crew and was well respected by the rest of the men. It is such an odd thing to see a young girl to be on the ship so casually. Her features were striking similar to the young captain. Shining golden eyes and flowing black hair that reached to the middle of her back. Her failed efforts to convince the man that we were not there. She seems as if she doesn’t believe in our kind.

My thoughts suddenly flicker off to Radiance; a common occurrence since I’ve seen her. My scowl lightened at the image of her gorgeous face. I have not seen her since she helped us pull the ship away but she has not left my mind once. Her emerald eyes are forever imprinted into my mind. Her stunning, waist length, red hair and high cheek bones never leave my dreams. I dream of pulling her close and running my hands all over her petite body. Kissing her plump, pink lips every moment of the day. Thinking about having her to be completely mine forever makes my heart flip. Beauty like that must be loved, protected, and always taken care of. I can’t be in love with her already but I can be. I want to be. I will make it so.

“Oh brotherrr!” the singing voice of Aurora echoes down the corridor. Interrupting my thoughts of Radiance. I turn around and am surprised to see her with our oldest sister Opal. I am shocked to see Opal’s usually long white hair cut short to her to her ears and her pale skin is deeply tanned. Showing signs she was on the surface. Her pure white tail is decorated with blue swirls which is a symbol of her mate’s tail colors. She looks stunning with her hair short. Having short hair is uncommon in our kingdom. Her grey eyes are narrow and although Opal does not look pleased, she pulls me into a hug. I groan internally, knowing that she knows what happened the other day.

“Sister! How was your trip?” I greet her, trying to cover up my nervousness.

“What did I hear from the guards again?” she pretends to think, “Oh yeah! That YOU ran into the Black Diamond crew and tried to take care of it by yourself? I’m not gone for more than three days and you have gotten yourself into trouble already.” she scolds.

“Hey! I had no word that it was the Black Diamonds.” I defended but I already knew I lost this battle. No one can ever win an argument against Opal. She’s annoyingly always right.

“I can never leave you alone. We need you to be alive!” she says. “You are to be the next king!”

I sigh in immediate defeat. “I know.”

“AND what’s worse! You took Princess Aurora with you!” her high pitched voice raising.

Aurora pouts and says back, “I’m the best singer in this family. I could defend myself!”

Opal gives her a pointed look and Aurora turns quiet. “You have no experience. You may have talent but talent will get you nowhere! And-” Opal stops and looks up to the throne room.

The double doors have opened and five guards emerged looking beaten and ashamed. I give them meaningful looks trying to say “It’s okay.” but they do not see my gesture. My father’s black hair is disheveled and his silver crown is crooked. He has not shaven in weeks and his brown eyes look dull and heavy. His shoulders are slumped and his tanned skin looks pale. With one flick of his black tail, he approaches us. His dark tail (except with light green swirls that are the color of his mates tail, my mother’s colors) is his only tie to the days of his mother’s terrible reign. His tail posses the Dark Pearl’s powers which he has firmly controlled and locked away.

“Hello father.” Opal says quickly and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“Hey daddy!” Aurora says, almost singing.

“Son.” he says too loudly, ignoring the arrival of my oldest sister.

Here we go. “Father I-” I begin.

“You found a girl?” he asks.

Startled, I flinch violently and a bubble of giggles come from Aurora and a shocked gasp from Opal. I turn and look at Aurora with a bewildered expression on my face which causes her to laugh harder.

“You found a mate while I was gone too! No wonder you have gold on your tail!” Opal almost shrieks in joy.

“Yes. No. Maybe! I don’t know!” I shrug my shoulders sheepishly. “Did you tell him about Radiance?” I ask.

“Yes! Your markings appeared a little later when you saw her!” Aurora laughs.

Markings? I look at my father, confused, and he frowns at me. “You don’t know what the markings are do you?” he sighs.

“No.” I bow my head in respect. I have not followed up with my studies and there is a lot to be learned. For the first time I really look down at my self and I am startled with what I see. Elegant lines of sparkling gold are on the side of my waist, but does not touch my tail. But the gold is different than Radiance’s colors... I thought they matched the one you loved?

“How do you not know of your markings!? You are going to be king of this kingdom! How can I depend on my son to take my place if he knows not of our history!” he yells at me.

“We’re going to go... Goodbye father!” Opal says grabbing Aurora by the hand.

“Aww but I wanted to hear this!” she whines as Opal drags her away.

Shaking his head my father moves closer to me. “You never pay attention boy! How will you even take care of our kingdom if you don’t even know about the beginnings of a mate?”

“I know. I know. I will try harder in my studies.” I say sincerely.

“I am happy you found a potential mate but you could have lost her the same day you found her!” he grows angry again as he remembers the real reason why he wanted to speak to me in the first place.

“I handled it father! We handled it. Nothing even happened. Besides, there’s a new captain on the ship. We killed the last one when we attacked years ago. They seem weaker.” I pause then mutter, “They even have a girl on board.”

My father explodes into his hearty laugh at this information. “A girl? On the ship? Was she their whore?” he bursts into laughter again.

I slightly smile at his joke. “No, I believe she is somewhat related to the captain. They look similar. Both had unforgettable golden eyes.” Gold. The same gold... Like on my marks? No. I immediately shove that thought away in the depths of my mind. It would be impossible to have a mate thats a weak human.

“Anyways. We will face that issue if they were to ever return. You have to be ready at any given moment to take over.” Switching the conversation back to the fate of the kingdom again. The two seconds of the father-son bonding was quickly diminished.

Immediately I lose my temper. “I’m NOT ready though!” I scream.

“You ignorant boy! I could die tomorrow or the next day! You have to BE ready. At any moment.” he spits out.

“If you die tomorrow I will have your royal advisor help me then!” I roar back.

He looks at me hard then bitterly mutters, “At least you found a potential mate.”

I calm down and quietly say, “I hope so.”

“What’s her name? I hope she is at least of royal status.” he mutters rolling his eyes flicking his dark tail irritably.

“I don’t care if she has royal status.” I pause for a moment, realizing I do not even know her last name, “Her name is Radiance. I do not know where she comes from.”

My father’s aging face shifts into a smile. “My boy! Radiance is from the Crystal Clan. Down south. Not exactly royalty but anyone from the Crystal Clan is equivalent enough!” He chuckles. “I hope you complete the mate soon.” he winks. “Her singing is exquisite. I have heard she almost matches Aurora. Not quite but almost!” he says proudly. “Although, your markings are gold?” he raises his eyebrows.

“I don’t know either... but, I have your approval?” I ask expectantly.

“You’ve done well son.” he smiles.

I bow to him and he pulls me into a hug, which is extremely rare of him to show affection. I hug him back, finally happy I made him proud of me. “I’m sorry father. I will inform you next time. I’m just worried that your songs... the Pearls are coming though. They have a wanting to kill again...” I trail off, leaving my sentence uncompleted.

“I know son. I know. I cannot change who or what I am. Or even who my mother was. My tail proves it. I have it under control for not but I fear not for any longer. Which is why I want you to be prepared.”

I nod in understanding. “Yes father. I will return to my studies right away and take them seriously.” Oops... I shouldn’t have let that slip.

“Return!? What do you mean return!?” he roars.

“Don’t fret father! It will be okay!” I quickly swim off down the corridor while hearing my father scream my name in anger. I laugh and enter my bedroom, preparing myself to read up more on completing a mate.

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*Charlie POV*

The three men are all laughing at the dinner table in one of the richest restaurants in Greensburg. Joking about something that Johnny had done prior to this day. Johnny and his father made the arrangements to meet us here, hoping to impress me with the fancy restaurant. WRONG. As soon as we arrived, Johnny stood up and gracefully kissed my hand. Typical. He’s probably kissed hundreds of girls’ hands! My stomach already started to churn but my heart started to race. My pulse heightened as I breathed in his sweet smelling cologne. I was having a huge internal war with my heart, but my brain knew better. Knew that he will shatter my heart. He was wearing a royal blue suit which was trimmed perfectly to his broad shoulders. His father was wearing a slightly worn down looking black jacket and dark green trousers. Johnny looked amazing in his suit but I refused to acknowledge that. I had my eyes set everywhere except in Johnny’s direction.

I noticed I gained his attention with my strapless, light green dress. Trimmed with white lace all around which complemented my light skin. With the corset top, it pushed my boobs practically past my ears! I didn’t understand how women don’t die from wearing this every day. I have to admit, my small breasts did need the help. The dress hugged my curves and showed off my tiny waist. I wasn’t very tall so this dress made me look more petite. A white ribbon was strapped around my waist and tied to a perfect bow on my back. I hated to admit it, but I love this dress. Except for the stupid corset... even if it made my boobs look amazing.

“Aren’t these vanilla buns divine Charlie? Johnny remembered they were your favorite at the ball!” Nate amused.

“Oh yeah! There’re great!” Operation gross Johnny out begins! I took a handful of the small buns and stuffed them in my mouth. Chewing loudly and obnoxiously. “Mmm! They’re great!” I said with my mouth full and spitting out crumbs from my mouth.

Nate was shocked. Ever since we arrived I have been overly obnoxious. Johnny looked stunned and his father was clearly disgusted. So far, the mission was a success. I was going to be a girl nobody would ever want! The people around us was were even outraged by my behavior.

Clearing his throat Johnny’s father, Tobias, applauds me on my steal at the nobel’s house. “I heard you stole the daughter’s favorite necklace. Even her bracelet was gone. Nobody even discovered they were gone for hours!”

“Oh yeah!” I pause to grab a butter roll and take a huge bite. “It was easy! I didn’t even stop for the guards. Because you know, I won’t listen to anyone! No sir!” Gulping down the bread.

“Oh! Did you hear that Johnny... She- erm. Is very spirited.” Tobias says eyeing me closely. Nate clears his throat loudly and gives me a hard stare. I smirk back at him.

Johnny leans back in his chair and starts to smirk at me. “That’s great. I wouldn’t want a boring woman.” Then he does something so shocking that causes Nate, Tobias, and my own mouth to drop. He grabs a handful of spinach puffs and shoves them in his mouth. “You know Charlie. You’re quite special.” He smiles with his mouth full of spinach. “You seem just my type. Wild and loud!”

I didn’t know what to do so I grabbed my glass of water and gulped it down as fast as I could. Then a bubbling sensation in my stomach starts to rise and I let out the loudest belch in my life. I hide back a giggle and feeling extremely proud of my self. Then I sneeze into my hand napkin and set it back onto the table. I look up to see the horrified faces of Nate and Tobias. Johnny annoyingly retaliates by taking a spoon full of soup and slurping it very loudly. Then wipes his mouth on his sleeve, staining a clearly expensive coat.

“Uh- Nate! Come. There are some people I see across the room that I would like you to meet. Great traders. Wealthy.” Tobias pipes up, looking between us.

“Of course! I’ll be right there!” He pauses next to me, “Charlie Bear...” he bends down and whispers. “Behave!”

I look straight into his eyes and smile a devilish smile. “No.” Nate groans as he walks away joining Tobias across the restaurant.

“Charlie.. Let’s stop this silly-” Johnny starts.

“What are you playing at?” I squint my eyes at him, leaning forward. “Huh? I’ve already refused!” I bark out. “Besides. I’m a pirate! I will never stop being one.”

“You haven’t given me a chance.” he says with a slight hint of sadness. It doesn’t faze me though.

“A chance!? I’ve seen enough of you three years ago. You are a pig! You did this. You did that! You dated her. And her. AND HER!” I raise my voice at him “Then you have the nerve to take me as your fiancé!” The people in the restaurant turn and stare at me but I don’t care.

“Now hold on Charlie. I haven’t accepted your hand in marriage. My father wants this arrangement between us. At that ball years ago I...” He pauses.

I groan out loud in annoyance. “Spit it out.”

“I believe... I fe- fell in lo- love since the very first moment my eyes laid upon you. I said... those foolish things to impress  you. I have only had one true relationship in my past and ironically it was Julia Heila. The girl you stole the necklace from. Which I have to say she is furious with you.” He chuckles nervously.

Loved me? What a liar! My head swirls with his words. Why would he need to impress me? His blue eyes look sincere and he nervously runs his hands through boyish blonde hair. My stomach does flips and I immediately become embarrassed from my behavior.

“We do not know much of each other but please let me know the real you. The daring and charming young woman I remember. I’m sorry for kissing you. I was stupid and young.” he looks at me with expecting eyes. “Forgive me?”

My brain is still swirling. I feel dizzy and I don’t even know what to say. He still adores me when I have acted so rudely to him tonight. I smooth my hair and make my bun a little neater and unruffled my dress. I sit up straighter and clear my throat. I study his face for any sign of fibbing but he looks so... sincere. The sadness clear now. This unfolded way to quickly that I can’t even make sense of what is happening. Slowly and cautiously, I nod my head.

“Wonderful! Then Charlie, will you please accompany me on a walk through the town’s gardens?” he asks smiling. His smile is still as dazzling as I remember and his teeth are still  as white as pearls.

I melt a little when he gets out of his chair so fast to help me up. I accept his hand and follow him out the door. I feel the stares of Nate and Tobias on our backs. I can just imagine Nate’s face right now; probably in shock that we are leaving together. We step outside and the clock tower strikes ten letting out a musical display of tones. The cool night air turns my cheeks pink and I start to shiver. My light green dress isn’t enough to keep me warm. Johnny seems to notice and shrugs off his suit jacket and drapes it over my shoulders. I didn’t know what to say so I nod my thanks.

We quietly walk through the town to the gardens. Dim lanterns illuminated the huge fountain in the center of the garden. Perfectly sculptured dolphins were the center piece of the fountain with water shooting out of their mouths. I have never seen the gardens at night and the way the lanterns lit the water was breathtaking. Off in the distance I hear an owl hoot and Johnny taps my shoulder and points. At the same time, a huge white barn owl swoops by us and flies off and disappears into the dark sky.

Johnny slips his arm through mine and pulls me closer to him. My heart is beating so fast that I’m sure he could have heard it. I wonder who he really is and what he is really like. His actions and his touches are so gentle and loving. We sit down on a garden bench and I daringly move closer to him ever so slightly. I see the corner of his lips curve up as he notices my movements. I know I should say something but I keep my mouth closed.

A few awkward minutes tick by until he asks me the most random question.“What’s your favorite color?” he quietly whispers.

“What?” I scoff.

He says again louder, “Your favorite color?”

“Blue. But not like a blue, blue. A baby blue. No, more like an aqua blue. A bright blue. Yeah. A bright, aqua blue. But not too bright. It’s still dimmed down. A pretty blue.” I babble on.

He laughs at my babbling and his laugh is like a burst of music to my ears. I catch myself gazing at him in wonder. “Mine is bright red.” he says smiling. “Just red.”

I chuckle quietly then ask, “So.. you ride horses?”

“Yeah.” he breaths. “It’s my favorite thing to do. I just get... lost while riding. Time just flies past me and I only think about riding. I forget about all my troubles and just... ride. You feel like you’re flying and you just have this amazing connection with horses that only horse riders would know!” He stops then looks at me. “Now I babbled.”

I started to laugh at that. He looks at me with a boyish grin and starts to laugh too. He seems so passionate about horses. It’s cute. “Can you take me riding?” I ask.

“Yeah. I’ll take you riding every day if you like it.” looking at me with expecting eyes. “I gotta warn you. You won’t want to walk for days afterwards.” Puzzled I ask why. “Well, the way you sit on a horse is like you’re... straddling something. So when you get off you will feel sore.”

“Oh well then never mind. I’ll let you ride them!”

“Nah! Come on. You’ll love one of my horses. Her name is Buttercup. My younger sister named her. She’s a blonde horse with white mane and tail.” he says proudly. “Trained her myself. I’ve had her for years. She’s really old now.” he sadly says.

“Oh.” I simply say wondering what it would be like to ride one of those massive animals.

We continue to talk about ourselves for hours. Finding out more and more about him just made my attraction to him stronger. My hate for him starts to fade away and I start to like him. I find he’s a very passionate person and is not so... snobbish like I had thought. He also makes me laugh and claims to say I have the most beautiful laugh he’s ever heard. Johnny talks about how the women around him are such bitches and only care about social status. They buy shoes to match their purses which made me laugh so hard that I snorted! I became so embarrassed while Johnny laughed at me.

“I love it Charlie! You- you’re amazing.” he says breathlessly. Off in the distance, the clock tower strikes twelve. “Wow, I can’t believe we were out this long.”

“I best be going Johnny.” I smile. “Thanks for tonight and erm- sorry for earlier.”

“May I ask why?”

“Why what?”

He laughs again. “Why did you behave so weirdly at the dinner!”

I laugh too, ashamed of my actions. “I was trying to make sure you wouldn’t want me.” I start to blush and Johnny leans down and gently kisses my cheek. A different kind of feeling comes over me. A feeling of warmth and my cheek starts to tingle. I meet his eyes and he strokes my hair out of my face.

“I have to tell you a secret Charlie.”

I suddenly become nervous. “What is it?”

He leans down next to my ear and whispers, “Your attempts failed.” I giggle and slap his arm playfully. Johnny hold his arm pretending to be hurt. “I won’t deal with this abuse!” he scoffs.

“Oh yeah?” I laugh. “Deal with it!”

“Do you know who I am Charlie?” he struggles to keep his face serious but his mouth betrays him by curving up into a smile.

Playfully I say, “Whatcha gunna do about it Johnny boy?”

“This.” and Johnny grabs me by the waist and we plunge into the fountain. Completely soaking us. We burst out into laughter and laugh even harder when someone calls out for us to shut up. I start to shiver and he grabs my hand.

“Let’s get you back. Wouldn’t want you to get sick.” he laughs.

“I cannot believe you did that!” I giggle. Chuckling to himself we start to walk back towards the ship.

I steal a few looks and my heart is thumping loudly. The coldness is gone and I am filled with a strange warmth starting from my heart. His once too strong cologne now smells sweet, his once annoying voice melted my heart, and his smile memorizes me. I have never liked anybody before so I don’t know what it’s supposed to feel like. But I like this feeling and I think I like my spoiled rich boy, Johnny. I just might accept his marriage proposal and happily ride horses and play in fountains for the rest of my life. Yeah... that doesn’t sound too bad.

Do you like Johnny or do you hate him? Comment below! Dying to find out who this mystery man is? Have any ideas? I would like to hear them. Although it's pretty obvious right? LOL! Any suggestions? Comment!