(Edited)
Prince Sebastian
One thing for sure is that I can't wait for these 3 nights of this bloody ball to be over. I'm not exactly looking forward to meeting all these girls and putting in effort in entertaining. Believe me, I don't hate socialising with people, (especially seeing all these attractive women) just not for the circumstance it's for. In total there will be 3 families that have been invited, and I haven't had a choice in which families are coming. To be honest I'm not that interest in finding a Queen for me. As long as I can live my life the way I can, that's all that matters.
Yesterday, the first family attending the ball had arrived. Katharina sure is pleasing to the eye, and her family seem like the decent type, but there is no way I can start claiming to love her and wanting her to be my Queen. She's Okay. A little timid and clearly introverted. Very different to the type of women who I have been with beforehand. Guess only time will tell to see who will end up ruling beside me.
Today I am taking Katharina and her brother out. It's their first time being in Kinsley and being country bread, I'm sure a tour of the city will be intriguing to them. Both have been told and it's my duty to spend some time with each of the families on an informal basis before the start of the ball. Guess this will help me get to know the women a little better which is also part of my responsibility. Tonight, the second and third family will be arriving, but first I just need to get through this day.
The carriage was ready to leave, and Katharina and I were waiting for Matthew. She wore a simple blue dress, with little frills at the end of her sleeves. There were also embellishments that littered all over the front of the dress and her hair was tied perfectly with a hat that complimented her outfit. She looked lovely.
"You look beautiful today" I said, trying to start up a conversation between us.
She blushed and looked to her feet with a little smile on her face. "Thank you".
"Does your brother always take this long?" I asked her.
She smiled again and said "yes he does, sometime I can get ready before he does"
"Wow, did not know it can take a man this long to get ready" I laughed.
Samuel, the chauffeur who has been working for my family for years is taking us into the city. He was already mounted with the horses prepared to set off.
"Maybe I should go and call him" Katharina said, looking through the entrance, almost hoping he would appear at any moment. And just her luck, there we see Matthew quickly straightening his blazer and running up to us.
"I do apologise for lateness, I'm here now" Matthew said, sounding like he just woke up from bed. He did look a little fatigued to the face.
Matthew has something in him that amuses me. Something that wants me to mock him mercilessly. He's definitely the uptight sort of character, who does everything by the book. Nothing should be out of place and if it is then it seems he won't be able to cope.
"Do you always take long to get ready?" I asked in an amused tone
"Yesterday has been very tiring â I didn't realise my body actually needed the sleep" He responded. His voice is eloquent and coherent, the way his pronounces his words are easy and nice to listen to. He would be great spokesperson.
Matthew turned to Katharina. "Did you sleep well?" He asked
"Yes, I did. Come on let go, we're late already" Katherina said while getting onto the carriage.
Matthew took her hand gently and helped her up. As he was getting onto the carriage, my eyes went to the physique of his body. He had a nice body, small waist, broad shoulders, tall, and lean. All too pleasing for women. I wonder does he have a woman?
The carriage set off, with Katherina sitting next to me and Matthew sitting opposite her. Throughout the journey, it was quiet, apart from a few exchanges here and there.
...
Kinsley was not like any other city. It was always both with wide avenues and the backstreets, those whom wore the finest clothing and those whom wove the thread. The hustle and bustle made it come alive with the street vendors, shops selling various items, the tall structured buildings and most of all the people. Without people, there wouldn't be a city, almost like the city itself has a heart, rhythm and a beat.
The carriage wobbled its way down the cobble stone path way, passing by people after people, some stopping to stare as a royal carriage does attract attention.
"First stop will be 'Richards Rhythms', they sure do have the best things when it comes to music" I spoke first, while I let the siblings take in their environment. Both seemed awestruck and intrigued. Probably very different to their home.
We stopped, slowing getting off. The shop towered above us and at the entrance stood a worker, welcoming customers in and out of the store. His eyes bulged as he saw us and instantly opened the door and lowered his gaze.
"Welcome to Richards Rhythms"
The three of us entered the store and were welcomed by the vast size of the place. There was a small gasp coming from Katharina, I couldn't help by smile in her direction.
"It's stunning, isn't it" I said, while watching her take in her surroundings.
In every corner was every instrument you could find. Shelves upon shelves littered the place, all filled with something. There was a red runner carpet leading the way to every isle, and all labelled with different sections.
"Can you play an instrument?" Matthew asked, him too enthralled by the place.
"Yes, I can play the piano, I'm not no pianist, but I know the basics" I responded, my eyes glancing over him and to the section behind him.
"I would love to hear you someday" Katharina said, smiling politely at me.
"Can you play an instrument?" I asked both siblings.
Matthew has a slight smile on his face. "I can't play anything, was never really interested, but Kathy here is remarkable at the piano"
"Really, and I only know basics, and you want to listen to me?" I laughed, turning to look at her.
"I'm no pianist too" she added, laughing shyly.
"Come this way" I said, walking off in front. Both followed behind and we entered the automatic musical instruments section. All around us was different type of musical boxes, some larger than others, but all as stunning as each other.
"This is the best section" I said, while grabbing and small music box. It was a heavy and brown and once opened, there stood a small figure of a bride and groom twirling around together. I looked over and saw Katharina looking at a similar little music box, with a ballerina girl twirling around.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" She said, her voiced filling amazement.
Matthew smiled at her "I'll get it for you" he said
"Thank you, Matty" she replied, with a warm smile.
He grabbed the box and made his way to the till. Katharina stayed behind, looking at the other music boxes around her.
"Both of you seem close with each other" I said, turning slight to look at her.
Katharina looked up at me, her gaze warm and innocent. "Yes, we are, guess we've always trusted each other and he's my brother, so there's that"
"I guess so, it's nice seeing you care for each other, it almost makes me wish I had a sibling", I replied. One thing for sure about Katharina is, she loves openly. I can see it in her eyes, the way she looks at her brother.
"People who have siblings are lucky and unlucky" she said.
Confused by her response, I asked "What do you mean?"
"It's the character of a person what can make you lucky or unlucky, Matty and I are always seen as composed and loving siblings, but that's our characters too" Her speech was similar to Matthew's, eloquent and expressive.
"If it's down to character of close siblings, then it doesn't really have anything to do with luck then" I said looking at her is new light. Katharina does come across as lucid and articulate.
"I guess so" She replied.
Just then Matthew retuned to us, with his purchased item in a brown material bag. We exited the shop, and the chauffeur took the bag.
"Where's the next stop?" Matthew asked.
I decided to walk through the city to get to the next destination. This way we get to see more captivating views. Every now and then a beggar was shooed away from us by Samuel. As we walked, moving upon the solid ground, we made progress, we stopped here and there, and I slowly explaining the history of the monumental sights.
The next stop was a clothing store,
We walked in and a little bell rang, making our presence known. This store had a warm ambiance as soon as you entered. All the workers greeted you with a whole-hearted smile and the place shone almost as if it were built from a marriage of granite and daylight. All three of us walked down the never-ending corridor where we passed many entrancing dresses and men's-wear on display. We finally made it to the main section of the store.
"Pick something, this is my treat to you" I told Katharina.
She blushed "No, really you don't have to"
"I want to, you will look beautiful in whatever you wear" I said, toying with her a little. "Plus, I'm dying to see you in one of the dresses from here. Everything is made from the finest quality"
"He's right, go and choose something, he the prince so don't worry out the price" Matthew smiled, nudging her a little with his elbow.
"I don't know which one to pick, there are so many to choose from" she replied
Matthew picked out a beautiful dress that was decorated in very light shades of pink with pearl and iridescent beads in an elaborate lace-type of pattern. It flowed gracefully down and had added layers that gave the extra energy to the dress.
"Try this one, I know it will look beautiful on you" he said, holding the dress up.
Katherina smile and took the dress, and made her way to the changing rooms. A worker went in with her, to help her put on the dress. Matthew and I waited outside, there were two small arm chairs covered in patterned material. Both of us took our seats.
"What type of women are you looking for?" Matthew turned to ask me.
Taken a little aback by his sudden question, it took me a second to respond. "I'm not sure, just someone who's good and likes to have a little fun"
"Fun as in...company fun, or something different" he said, being ever so serious.
"I'm not sure what you mean?" I responded, honestly.
"Well...I'm sure you know about the rumours, and what they say about you" There was not an ounce of emotion coming from Matthew, his face was impassive. I didn't really know what to respond.
Matthew then added "I'm only saying this, because my sister may take on this new path in life, and it's scary. You're the prince, people say things, horrible things. If Kathy would go through the same, I'm not sure she would survive"
"That's understandable, but rumours are just rumours, whether their true or not, you don't let people's vile words eat away at you" I responded "All these women who are attending the ball, should know that this comes with the process of becoming the princess or the next Queen, it's the new way of life, and you just have to get use to it"
"True, but you haven't answered my question" Matthew said, looking at me. "Are the rumours true? It's one thing to get hatred from people you don't know, but to have a husband who is unfaithful, uncaring and irresponsible might just be the tip of the ice-berg"
"Rumours are harsh, but I'll tell you, when I love someone, I love them as fiercely as I can, care for them and would do anything to protect that person" I said, matching Matthews blank look.
"Okay, then have you ever been in love before?" he asked
"No, I haven't, have you"
"Nor have I" he said, looking towards the closed door that Katharina was in.
I understand his reason for asking me these questions. Clearly, he is protective over his sister and the immense love he has for her, is reasonable and logical. I would do the same, if I had someone who I loved enough.
Just then, Katherina came out, in this striking dress. The dress sat upon her skin as soft as petals. It's hue the many pink shades of a rose garden.
"How does it look?" she said, turning to look at herself in the mirror.
"Beautiful" Matthew replied "Get that dress, you can wear it for one of the days at the ball"
"You look stunning. The dress suits you well" I responded. All I can say is she looked gorgeous. The pink shade of the dress compliments her skin tone. If she was to wear this dress on the first day of the ball, all eyes will definitely be on her.
"I like this dress" she said, her hands slowing rubbing the fabric.
I turned to the sales assistant, "We'll take it".
After stopping at a couple more sites and shops. We all made our way back the carriage. The sun was setting and the street lights began to glow up on the streets. It's been a long day for sure. Now I've got to go back and introduce myself to the next 2 families who have probably already arrived.