Prince Sebastian
Edited
The dinner was pleasant. Both Elizabeth and Alice are nice women who seem polite and pleasant. Maybe Alice, more than Elizabeth, she certainly is eccentric, in a good way. Throughout the whole dinner she tried every possible reason to touch my arm or hand, whether that was to re-position the cutlery near her or to re-position herself in her chair, causing her foot to touch mine every now and then. It was quite amusing, Alice does not seem like marriage material, more like a quick fun every now and then. Maybe I might take up her offer, if she continues. Matthew himself got the immoral sense from her, so she is off the list.
There are people who are artists, then some, themselves, are art. That's Matthew. Everything about him is different than any person who I have met. He is authentic, honest and well-grounded. A person who knows what he wants and will say whatever is on his mind to make his point. Matthew is the person who you can have fun with, yet after have the deepest conversations about anything. I enjoyed yesterday; it was the most meaningful company I've ever had in my life and something about that makes me feel light and a little free.
I was lounging in the drawing room, drinking some scotch and reading a book. There is always something special about being alone with a good book. Even though you are alone, you end up being less alone with a book than you are in a crowd. While being pulled into the story that I'm reading, voices brought my attention away. I put my glass down focusing on the conversation coming from outside in the hallway.
"We should spend some time. Get to know each other better" said a female voice, sounding a little alluring. Alice. This sure did intrigued me, who is her new objective?
"That will be nice, however I'm a busy man with no time, sadly" Matthew spoke, being polite as ever. This made me laugh. Matthew being targeted by non-other than Alice. The very woman who he informed that I stay away from and take off my list.
"I'm sure you could make time, 1 hour of your time away from work and with me, will not hurt" she said. I crept closer to the door, edging it open a little so I could get full view of both. Alice had her hand on Matthew's arm, Matthew himself stood ridged and stiff with an unyielding smile on his face.
"Maybe, but some other time" he said taking a step back. "I should get back to my work, I'll see you around, my lady" he bowed a little, however before he could walk away, Alice roped her arm around his. Matthew faltered in his steps.
"I'll keep you company, while you work" Alice said, inching closer to Matthew. I couldn't help but laugh more. Should I step in a save the poor old chap?
Matthew, trying to pull his arm back said, "It will be boring, you really don't want to spend time with me." He held that strained smile on his face.
Alice annoyingly giggled, then held onto Matthew tighter "Are you trying to get rid of me?" she asked, her eyes bright with excitement and interest.
Matthew let out an impatient sight, shrugging his shoulders away from her, a little more forcibly "While I'm working, my attention needs to solely be on work, with you there I'll get nothing done" he said, still being polite with that forced smile on his face. "I should really be getting to work now, I'll see you around, my lady" He bowed, turned and saw me standing in the doorway, watching the exchange between them and humours smile on my face. He muttered something under his breath, and walked towards me, without making it noticeable that I was there.
Laughter exploded from my throat, my shoulders shook, and my body convulsed helplessly as I took a step back as Matthew entered the drawing room, closing the door behind him. He ran his hand through his hair and took a seat on the sofa.
"Enjoyed watching, instead of helping me." He said, pouring himself a glass of scotch.
I sniggered, taking a sip of my drink and sitting near him "Why would I help, when it was too fun watching the exchange between the both of you"
He took a sip from his own glass and relaxed into the sofa. "You've decided that she's not the chosen one, so why is she still here?" He asked.
"Why would I send her away when she's fun to be around" I said, still chuckling to myself, remembering the interaction between Matthew and her. It's always important that you have fun people around you, they bring a sense of enjoyment to your life and that what makes life interesting. But I can see Matthew believing the opposite, being a more thoughtful kind of man.
"She's fun?" Matthew asked. "you're only saying that, just because she seems too easy"
"Exactly, easy to have fun with" I said, taking another sip of my drink.
"You have no idea what I had to put up with yesterday after the dinner, she demanded that I take her to her room, which I did, only to then try and force me into the room" Matthew said, looking down at his drink with that now serious look on his face. "I don't understand people like that"
Pouring Matthew another glass, I said "It depends how you look at it, people like that can be of an inconvenience or a convenience"
"Obviously you would say something like that"
Feeling a little tipsy from the drinking, I decided to change the subject. Fresh air is what I need right now. "Why don't we go out, bring Kathy too" I suggested putting my glass down.
...
The grounds of the castle were the real beauty than the castle itself. People always draw their attention to the architecture but its nature that's the real gold. Its vast mountains that cascaded over the tops of the falls, to the lush greenery that brightened everything around.
Katherina, Matthew and I decided to have a picnic near the lake. The water in the lake was calm and crystal clear which sparkled with a million diamonds of light in the midday sun. I believe I there's more to Katherina. From the few interactions that I've had with her, she seems polite and timid, almost like she's too nervous to get to know anyone out of her circle of people. I wonder if she is like Matthew, if she is as grounded and secure as he is. She did look beautiful today. Dressed in a lilac dress, that flowed down her body gracefully.
"What would you like your husband to be like? Katherina" I asked, looking at her.
Her face grew a little pink to the cheeks, but she responded confidently "Some who is loving, caring and knows how to treat a lady"
The usual answers, nothing special or merely distinctive enough. I'm sure all the women who are here today would mention the same answers and there's something about that, that's just boring and not captivating.
Nodding my head, she asked the same question to me, her voice high, soft and timid. To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what type of woman I would like. Just being the mere age of 26 years, was it possible that I should have this already figured out? Some would say I should already be married by now with an offspring or two, but all this pressure has put me off marriage. I guess that's why it has taken this long to find the next princess. Also being the next heir, I only have part of a decision to make. The rest is up to the advisors and the King and Queen, themselves.
"I guess the same as you" I responded, giving her the same platitude answer.
Katherina turned to her brother, her eyes brightening instantly and said "Matty, what about you, what type of women would you like?"
Giving her a warm smile, and breaking the creamed scone in half, he thought for a while, before responding "Someone who I am captivated by my body and soul and I fall in love the way they love, that it shakes me to the core of my bones"
Something about his answer made my heart swell and instantly put a smile on my face. There he goes again, all seeming like he's 100 years old and experienced so much more in life than a normal man his age.
"That's sweet Matty, but you have only mentioned how you would love them" Katherina said.
Taking a bite from my cucumber sandwich "Agreed, but being the type of man he is, I would guess your answer would be, something along the lines of, 'my love is all she needs to treat me well.' Eh" I said, with a slight smile to my tone of voice.
Mirroring that same smile on his face and shaking his head, Matthew answered "Stop teasing me, it's just how I feel".
"Whoever loves you Matty, will be the luckiest person in the world" Katherina said, putting her hand softly on his forearm. Matthew just smiled back and continued eating. I couldn't agree more.
After some more small talk between the three of us, Katherina threw some bread into the water, causing the birds to flap towards us. The sight brought smile to all our faces.
"Look there's a boat over there" Matthew spotted.
"Let's all go. I've never been on a small boat like that before. Come on" Katherina said, excitedly, while running up ahead.
Matthew and I followed behind her, but walking side by side, next to each other. Not being as excited as Katherina, both of us slowly made our way, while Katherina in front already reaching the boat.
"Your sister is right you know" I told him, looking in front to see Katherina starting the pull the rope to allow the boat to shore.
"About what?" he asked, his eyes also travelling to where mine where. I turned to look at him, something tranquil about the way his hair moved in the wind and the way he carried himself as he walked.
"That, whoever will stand beside you, will be the luckiest person in the world" I said. Matthew turned to look at me, smiling, the skin around his eyes creasing and his eyes itself lighting up.
"Are you only saying that, so I like you?" He spoke, with a slight humour in his voice.
Letting out a small laugh I responded "Take it whichever way you want, as a compliment or not. But it's true statement said from your sister's mouth" not waiting to hear his response, I jogged in front helping Katherina pull the boat. All of us took our seats, Katherina sitting next to Matthew, and I taking the duty of rowing. We were far into the lake now and, all water surrounded us, and now the shore behind us in the distance.
Katherina was teasing Matthew about their childhood. She sure is become more comfortable and her personality is beginning to come through. A new bubbly side has started to appear. It's almost as if both siblings have gone back in time and started to teased each other like children would.
"...and then you cried out for nanny Emma, even though you where 15 years of age" she began
"15, Matt, wow that's old to be crying for your nanny" I said, joining pretending to be judging him.
"Oh, come on, stop acting like you haven't cried, before" he said, with a slowly redding face and neck. The way Matthew started twiddling his fingers about only made his reaction even more valuable to see.
"And then nanny Emma came to cuddled you" Katherina carried on. I laughed out loud, shocked by how child-like Matthew was at that age. When I was 15, it was all about duties and education.
"Oh, will you shut up, Kathy" he replied, slightly pushing her.
"Don't you push me" she fought back, pushing him harder. He stumbled a bit, causing the boat to sway slightly.
"Is this going to be a fighting contest then?" I asked, watching them push each other, back and forth. Trying to steady the boat as both siblings kept pushing each other playfully back and forth, Katherina gave one hard push, which toppled Matthew right out of the boat and into the freezing water. Katherina and I instantly stood up as we watched Matthew make his way back to the surface.
"Matty, I'm so sorry" she gasped, clearly with guilt running though her voice.
Matthew only coughed, then his teeth started chattering. He was completing wet from head to toe. He then began laughing. This eased both Katherina and I, soon after we were all laughing. Matthew gave out his hand and I took it. Just as I was about to pull him up, he used all his strength and pushed me down towards him and before I knew it, I was submerged into the freezing water. Water instantly filled my ears and all I could see were the bubbles and the murkiness of the water. As soon as my head reached the surface, I took a deep breath and cursed Matthew
"You are an idiot" I said, while grabbing his head and locking it into my arm. He laughed while trying to squirm away from me.
"I'm sorry" he said, laughing, still struggling to get out of my grip.
I laughed along too, as he apologised, and I let him go. Both of us got onto the boat. Cold water seeped into my shoes, stealing the heat from my soles just as fast as the wind stole from my face. We both were soaked all over, my face dripping the drops coming together to run into my eyes and drip from my chin.
"Well, this was fun" Katherina said, smiling at both of us.
"It was... And hey you didn't get wet" Matthew complained, while smirking at his sister.
I can truly say that both siblings bring out the happiness and laughter in me. A different type that I have ever experienced before. Sure I have a few shares of jests and joy with women and my associates, but Katherina and Matthew know how to clear the mind and make a happy heart.