CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Tatiana felt that something was wrong.
She went to the other side of the room where there aren't many people to find a place to sit at but there were no chairs available.
She looked around when she felt that someone was staring at her but when she looked at Elliot and Morgan, they were talking with other kids. When she turned to look at Bjorn whose head was taller than anyone else's, he was also talking to a friend.
"A pleasant evening, your highness."
The princess felt a shiver run down her spine. She knows that voice, she knows that voice very well. She slowly turned around and a gentleman with a pleasant smile bowed respectfully.
"I have had my eyes set on you this evening," he said, "you truly are beautiful."
Tatiana felt sick. This person, though he seems young is the person who is going to destroy her life. She did not expect that she would meet him this early on in the story. Her hands started to shake and her knees felt weak.
She did not have Tatiana's memories from the past but she knows her future and she feels it in her body. The fear and the pain that she felt when he slapped and hit her and touched her against her will. She remembers his manipulating words that led her to do something bad.
She remembers him whispering threats and words that would never want to hear. She thought that she could escape him in this lifetime but it seems that fate had other plans.
"I am Hugo Spencer, my father is a merchant known for his herbal business."
Oh, she knows. She was forced to drink herbs that sedated her so she can't fight back and run away from her prison. It's chilling to remember something that did not even happen yet, and it feels too real that it felt like insects were crawling on her skin.
"Pleasure to meet you," she showed him a courtesy.
"Would it be alright to invite you in a handshake?" he asked and offered her his hand. Tatiana did not want to but at the same time, she did not want to provoke him.
She let out a shaky breath while forcing herself to lift up her hands. Even the sight of his face makes her skin feel itchy.
"Tiana," Bjorn muttered her name under his breath as he looked for him.
He curved into a corner and stopped in his tracks when he saw a purple dress. He was about to leave when he made sure that she was there but he noticed something strange was happening. Tatiana was talking to another man but her face was full of fear.
Bjorn squinted his eyes and noticed Tatiana's shaking hands. Her eyes looked like they'd seen a monster and that's when he knew that something wasn't right.
He walked towards them, pulling Tatiana away from the man. Tatiana's skin was icy cold in his touch which made him even more sure that something was not right.
Hugo's smile disappeared and turned into a scowl when he saw Bjorn. He became more aggravated when he Bjorn removed his hand on the princess's arm and draped it around her bare shoulder.
'he's touching her skin' Hugo thought, his blood slowly boiling but he managed to plaster a smile.
"It is rude to interrupt when people are talking, dear sir," Hugo hissed.
Bjorn did not even spare him a glance and looked down at the princess who was shuddering under him. His jaw tightened and looked at the man. Something must have happened, this won't happen to the princess if it was just nothing.
"Bjorn," Tatiana muttered.
"Ah, the princess knows that you were rude. She will be the one to judge your actionâ"
"My apologies, sir Hugo but it seemsâit seems that my fiancé came to fetch me," she stuttered while looking at his face but not into his eyes. She can't bring herself to look into it. She sees her future when she stares at her reflection in his eyes.
"Your fiancé?" Hugo repeated, "Ah. The captain of the knights."
"We should go now," Bjorn said sternly and pulled Tatiana closer to him, "she's done here."
Tatiana bowed and walked away with Bjorn. Hugo was left behind, the glass in his hands shattered and blood dripped down his fists. He gritted his teeth as he watched another man touching the skin of his beloved Tatiana.
Bjorn glances back, his face looking sideways.
Hugo was angry but he shuddered at how the captain looked at him. It was a warning look. A message that there is a line he should never cross.
--
"Sit here for awhile," Bjorn told her and made her sit in a round table, "do you want cake?"
Tatiana was still in a trance so Bjorn decided not to push her and went on his way to the buffet table to get her water and something sweet. He whispered something to one of the guards and the message was relayed. Soon, the table was surrounded by guards but at a distance.
A group of girls, including the debutante walked over to Tatiana's table and sat there.
"Your fiancé is very sweet," one of the girls said, "but is it necessary to have the guards watch you?"
"Huh?" Tatiana snapped back and found herself surrounded by other girls her age. "oh, a pleasant evening. I apologize for my blank mindedness, I think I'm just tired."
"No worries, your majesty."
Tatiana noticed someone familiar and recognized that it was the debutante, Lisabeth Iondale, youngest daughter of the kingdom's richest man.
"I hope you are enjoying your party, Lady Iondale." Tatiana smiled at her, "my father sent his gift for you through a messenger. I was told that it will be arriving tomorrow."
"Please give the king my sincerest gratitude," Lisabeth Iondale replied. She was a girl with smart looks, a pale skin and dark features.
"Oh," Tatiana remembered something and opened her pouch, " I actually have something for you."
The girls gave each other meaningful looks. The princess who was known for avoiding people at parties and starting fights for no reason, has a gift for the debutante?
She took a small box from her pouch and gave it to lady Iondale. Everyone was looking and anticipating the gift the princess would give her. The Iondales are the richest family in the kingdom and a very close family friend to the royal family, there is nothing in this kingdom that they cannot afford so everyone is expecting something very rare.
When she opened the box, a golden yellow gem that is placed in circular frame greeted her. The girls suddenly did not learn how to react.
"A gem?" one of them said and looked at the others with uncertainty.
"It is a citrine gem," Tatiana excitedly said, "it is known to bring happiness, prosperity and good luck. It also known for healing. I know that you are one of the richest families in the kingdom and you can buy whatever you want so I wanted to give you something simple and meaningful."
Lady Iondale stared down at the gem, a small smile curved from her lips.
"Thank you, princess," she meekly said.
A shadow loomed over Tatiana then she noticed the girls looking up and their eyes sparkled and their frowns turned into sweet smiles.
"Princess," Bjorn called. He had a small plate with a cake on his hand and a glass of water on the other. Tatiana turned around and looked up.
"What's that?" Tatiana asked him, "do you want to sit down and eat?"
She attempted to stand up and give him the chair but Bjorn shook his head. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a call.
"Tiana!" Elliot called her over. Him and Morgan were sitting in a sofa. Elliot patted the space beside him and encourage them to come.
Tatiana turned to the girls and stood up.
"My brother is calling for me," she said and bowed her head, the others also stood and bowed theirs, "thank you for the company, and Lady Iondale, enjoy your night."
She stood up and Bjorn looked lost. Tatiana grabbed his cape and tugged him towards the other direction saying, "let's go there Bjorn. You need to sit down if you want to eat."
The girls went back to their seats and sighed.
"A mere gem? Seriously? That's all she can offer when she's the princess of this kingdom?"
"I know right," another said, "even my father gave five horses."
"She should have known better. What game is she playing at?"
"I heard that she was mean to another girl yet again, the girl only complimented her dress and the princess said that the girl was ugly."
"That's why she deserves being alone," one of the girls added, "Sir Bjorn is unfortunate to have her as his fiancé."
"I think they fit well with each other," Lady Iondale mumbled while staring down at the gem and smiled, "happiness, huh? That's something even my family can't afford."
--
END