Zhia Xiang was brushing her silver hair as she stared at her own reflection in the mirror.
Victor said they will go have breakfast with the King and Queen this morning so he gave her time to prepare.
knock knock
âAre you dressed? âVictor asked from the other side of the door.
âYes. âZhia Xiang replied.
Victor entered their shared room and looked at her, nodding his head.
âWhat's your new name? â He asked.
âGiselle. âZhia Xiang replied with a lonely smile as she remembered the amazing woman she met before, the assassin, Giselle.
âAlright, Giselle, we will act as a couple from today so I expect a perfect performance from you. I'll do most of the talking with my parents, just ignore them if they get too annoying. âVictor explained and fixed his tie.
âUnderstood. âZhia Xiang said standing up.
âLet's go then, they are waiting for us. âVictor said offering his arm.
Zhia Xiang linked arms with him and they both walked together, looking like a silent, ice cold couple. His dark hair and royal blue eyes with her silver hair and yellow eyes made them look like the ice prince and princess.
The dinner hall fell silent when the two entered the room. The royal family looked baffled at their son and the stranger next to him.
âAm I seeing this right? There is a woman next to Victor? â The king asked rubbing his eyes.
âThere is and she's so beautiful. âThe Queen replied looking at Zhia Xiang.
âThat is right, no need to cause a scene. This is my fiance, Giselle. âVictor said looking at Zhia Xiang who bowed politely.
âIt's an honor to meet the Queen and the King of the Sapphirus Kingdom. âZhia Xiang said with a polite smile.
âBrother? Since when you have a fiance? â Philip asked.
âFor quite some time. âVictor replied walking to the table.
He pulled a chair for Zhia Xiang who tanked him and sat down.
âYou have a fiance?! â The king asked, still shocked.
âGiselle, am I right? You're so beautiful... how did this happen? Why did you hide this lady from us? How did you two met? Is she from a family I know? âThe Queen begin to ask questions, shooting daggers at Victor.
âMother, take it slow or you'll give her a headache. Let's enjoy breakfast for now and questions later, alright?âVictor asked looking at his parents.
âFine, but you'll have to answer after! You finally came with a woman, I can't let her run! âThe Queen replied, smiling to Zhia Xiang who began to eat quietly.
âDo you like horse riding? âPhilip asked Zhia Xiang.
âPhilip... âThe King said quite exasperated.
âI do. âZhia Xiang replied.
Philip's face lit up and he loudly gasped.
âSon, manners. âThe Queen scolded.
âMother! She said she likes horse riding! Have a race with me after breakfast, pleaseeee! âPhilip asked, displaying a puppy face.
âAlright. âZhia Xiang replied.
âHooray! âPhilip loudly said.
âPhilip! We are having breakfast now, stop shouting like that. âThe Queen scolded again, looking embarrassed.
âYou don't need to try to please him, he'll be fine if you reject him. âThe king said towards Zhia Xiang.
âIt's fine, having a race with the prince isn't a big deal. âZhia Xiang replied.
Breakfast passed to the second prince's utter happiness.
âLet's go! Let's go! âPhilip said pulling Zhia Xiang's hand.
âAre you going to be fine? âVictor asked.
âOf course. By the way, your mother is eyeing you. âZhia Xiang said.
âI know. I'll have to answer her pestering now. âVictor replied sighing.
âGood luck.âZhia Xiang said and followed Philip to the barn to choose a horse for the horse race.
âThis is my trusted partener, Rose. âPhilip said as he proudly showed off his white horse.
âHello Rose, nice to meet you. I'm Giselle.âZhia Xiang said holding her hand out near the horse's head.
Rose smelled her hand and exhaled a pouf of warm air on her palm.
âRose likes you! Have you found a horse yet? I recommend Jean, Rose's brother. âPhilip said pointing to another white horse.
âAre you trying to trick me? âZhia Xiang asked jokingly.
âOf course not! Who do you take me for? âPhilip replied, deeply offended.
âI was joking, your highness. âZhia Xiang said, trying to hold laughter in.
Philip realized he's been teased and turned red.
âHow dare you tease a prince?! âPhilip asked, avoiding eye contact.
âI'll choose Jean then. âZhia Xiang said and walked to the horse, trying to befriend him.
âGood boy, let's win this horse race. âZhia Xiang pat the horse and the two participants took their horses outside.
Zhia Xiang got on Jean's back and looked over at Philip who had his had held out for her.
âMay the best win. â The boy said smiling.
Zhia Xiang shook his hand and nodded her head,adding:
âAgreed. â
âReady! â
âStart! â
The horse siblings shot like bullets, both wanting the winner title. Zhia Xiang was looking at Philip who was clearly enjoying himself.
âA sweet child. â She thought before returning her gaze to the path forward.
Victor sat down as his mother ordered.
âHow did you met this girl? âThe Queen asked her son.
âThrough a friend. âVictor simply replied.
Genevieve sighed and held her forehead exasperated by her son.
âAlright, since when are you two a couple? â
âSix months. â
The Queen looked outside and noticed the horse race going on and a smile escaped her lips.
âSeems like Philip likes her. What family is she from? â
âShe doesn't have a family. âVictor replied, also looking outside the window.
The Queen fell silent for a moment.
âPoor girl. I won't ask what happened to her parents. What are you intentions with her? You know, it's time to think about marriage and such now that you're a grown man. â
âI know. â
Genevieve looked at her son and wondered from who he got this personality.
âWhat do you like about her? The girls I've found in the past didn't interested you one bit.â Genevieve asked curious.
Victor kept looking at the horse race as he replied to his mother:
âI'm not sure either. I've met strong, smart women before, but she's just better. â
Genevieve smiled and nodded her head.
âIt's your first time being in love so I won't bother you too much. Keep in mind that I'm here if you need advising from a woman, son. I'll go find your father now. âGenevieve said standing up.
She have one last look to her son before leaving to find the King.
âYou won! âPhilip shouted as he jumped down from his horse.
âI did. âZhia Xiang said getting down of her horse as well.
âI enjoyed the race, I hope we can do it again in the future. I'd like to win against you. âPhilip said looking at her with hope.
âAlright, I will compete against you again in the future. â Zhia Xiang said.
Philip jumped a little in excitement and pat Rose.
âBrother!â Philip called and walked towards Victor. â
I've lost against your fiance, but next time I'll win for sure! â The teenager added with a bright smile.
Victor looked at him and then at Zhia Xiang.
âWork hard then. âVictor said.
âI will.âPhilip added.
âI got word Duke Albertine is here again with his daughter. âVictor said looking at Zhia Xiang despite facing Philip.
Philip groaned and rolled his eyes.
âHim, again?! Brother, please tell them I'm sick or something. I don't want to spend time with those boring people. âPhilip pleaded, holding his palms together in a prayer motion.
Victor nodded his head and turned around ready to send Duke Albertine off, but to everyone's disappointment, a servant followed by the two Albertines were approaching.
âOh no! âPhilip exclaimed and hid behind Zhia Xiang who was observing silent.
Victor glared at the servant who guided the two here.
âYour - your highness... Duke Albertine insisted we come here. â the servant tried to explain, hoping he won't get punished.
âGreetings, your highness. I hope you're in good health. As you know, me and my daughter are here to see prince Philip. âOliver spoke in a soft tone, smiling from ear to ear in an attempt to please Victor.