The Mystical Prince And The Pauper

“Wow, your kingdom is absolutely stunning. ” I said in awe as Nicholas offered me his hand from outside of the carriage.

“That it is.” Nicholas agreed with a look of pride glistening from his features and lacing his tone.

I took the offered hand and climbed off the carriage, my feet stepping onto the white pathway of the palace.

“We will be taking you to the best pastry shop in the entire kingdom next time.” Rosella enthusiastically assured.

“Don’t you guys have a lot of work to do?” I curiously asked. I mean, they act like people that have plenty of time in their hands.

“Of course, but you are my soulmate, making you my first priority at all times. ” Nicholas teasingly winked at me, making my insides turn into mush. He was too charming to be true.

“Nicholas, you are making the poor child flustered.” Came a soft, calm, womanly voice from the side making all our attention go to the mysterious person.

There stood the exact replica of Rosella in a navy blue, silk like, floor length, long sleeved, sheath gown with her brunette hair with yellow highlights tied firmly upon her head in a neat bun. Small diamond earrings shone brightly from her ears due to the sun shining onto them. They were paired with a thin, diamond choker that clung gently to her porcelain like neck. Her face held minimal amount of make up in such a way that it accentuated her beauty rather than changed her face. She was gorgeous and intimidating. The strong aura of command she emitted was enough to make me want to hide behind a rock and never come out. It made me feel scared to the even breath as I took shallow breaths.

There stood a man next to her with his arm loosely wrapped around the woman’s waist. He was almost the splitting image of Nicholas except for the blond curls that filled his head. He wore a soft smile and he radiated warmth and comfort, unlike the woman. He did radiate some authority too but it was not as suffocating as the woman’s.

“Mother, Father, I was unaware you had returned.” Nicholas said in that spine chilling, cold tone that he rarely uses.

“Yes, we had to. Especially after discovering that our son had found his soulmate.” The man enthusiastically smiled.

“Yes, the very same one that I believe stands before us.” The woman practically scrutinised me without even trying to hide the disapproval and maybe disgust on her hard features, even as her tone remained soft and calm.

“Now now, Jane.” The man calmly said.

“I have the right to voice out my opinions, especially if my son, the crowned prince, decided to stop the wedding that would have combined two very influential kingdoms.” The lady, Jane, practically spat as her eyes roamed my body,” Tristan, the child is not even from this world, she knows nothing about being royalty, nevertheless on how to be a queen.”

“She will learn,” The man, Tristan glared at his wife, his arm dropping from where it was around her waist.” I believe the crown chose her for a reason as it had for me and the rest of our ancestors. Let us not scrutinise the child before she has even walked down the path of royalty.”

The lady gave me a once over before storming off into the palace in rage.

“Apologies for my wife’s behaviour, Sweetheart. She has a different view on marriage than the rest of us.” The man apologetically smiled,” I am Tristan, and who may you be?”

“I am Emira, y-your Majesty.” I shakily said, my eyes fleeting down to the ground.

“Well Emira, first rule of royalty, you always look your future father in law in the eye and see him as an equal.” Tristan lightly chuckled before I was pulled into a firm, but gentle hug.

I slowly returned the hug, knowing very well that it was from Tristan. He let me go and gave his children hugs too before I felt an arm lazily drape itself around my waist.

“Ahh, already feeling protective over her, are you not, Son?” Tristan chuckled at his son’s behaviour making my face flush in embarrassment.

“Of course, Father. She is always safest in my arms.” Nicholas said, sending me a wink, making my face lose the rest of its colour if it even had any left from earlier.

Tristan broke into a boisterous laugh that boomed across the empty field.

His hand slapped onto Tristan’s shoulder, his eyes shining with adoration, happiness and pride,” I am happy for you, Son. And I wish your mother were the same, but I have hope that she will grow accustomed to your unity someday. We just need to be patient with her.” Tristan reassured,” Now, I better go try an the back in your mother’s good graces. ” He winked at his son,” It was nice meeting you, my Dear. I hope to see more of you here as time passes.” He smiled at me before placing a kiss on Rosella’s forehead and walking down the path that his wife had disappeared in.

“Your father is a boisterous man, isn’t he?” I smiled at Rosella.

“Very,” Rosella smiled,” His boisterous personality compliments our mother’s sour one quite well.”

I looked at her shocked at her choice of words. Her tone itself left a bitter taste in my mouth at the sorrow and acidity her words were laced in. I mean that’s her mother she’s talking about.

“Now now, Rosella. Remember, Mother is different. She is one of the few that had married into the royal house due to her title and not from the crown choosing her.” Nicholas calmly sighed , unaware how much that revelation had meant to me. It could explain the bitterness she felt towards me, for one.

“I am aware, but that gives her no right to belittle Emira in such a way.” Rosella scoffed.

“Its okay, Rose.” I assured with a reassuring smile.

“It’s not alright, Emira. Are you aware that one rotten apple can rot the entire bushel? And it’s quite unfortunate that my mother is that apple. I wish she were supportive of your relationship, I really do, but knowing my mother, it is best to prepare for the worst.” She tiredly sighed with a weak smile,” We better return you home before your mother and father start to worry.”

“Uh, sure.” I replied absentmindedly as her words stubbornly remained running through my head.

A gentle squeeze around my waist had me looking up at sapphire blue orbs that locked with my own orbs. Concern lightly shone from the beautiful orbs, an unsaid question emitting from them.

I gave a nod and what I hoped to be a reassuring smile in response.

I just found out that the queen of Luminary, also known as my best friend and soulmate’s mother (I never thought I’d say ever say soulmate in my life) hates me. I don’t know how to feel about this, but I definitely know that I need to avoid that woman as much as possible.

“Helllooo,” A hand waved near my face,” Are you alright?” Rosella’s concern filled voice asked.

“Yes, I just remembered that I have a lot of homework to catch up on,” I feigned a groan to go with my little white lie,” But I’m fine.” I smiled a small, but genuine smile.

“Remember, I know you more than you are aware of, Darling,” Nicholas said with a gentle squeeze around my waist,” I am very much aware that your encounter with my mother has left you slightly worried and dare I say fearful. I am onto your little white lie, Darling.”

My breath hitched at his words. The way Nicholas could practically read me like a book is unnerving. It is a bit scary how I can’t hide anything from him.

“How do you do that?” I pouted, looking up at him.

A light chuckle left his lips as the tension left from his mother dissipated into a much lighter atmosphere,” Well, the bond is great help for one.” He leaned down to place a kiss onto my temple that surprisingly melted all my tension and worries and left me in a worry free state,” Better?”

“How did you know?” I squinted my eyebrows in silent accusation.

“Well, the bond allows me to feel a tinge of what you feel if the emotion is strong enough, however only if you allow it or if is too overwhelming to control for you.” He explained, gently pulling me plush into his side by my waist.

“My poor waist.” I murmured teasingly.

I was suddenly literally swept off my feet into Nicholas’s arms as he carried me bridal style.

“My apologies, Darling. I hope this position is more suitable for my Queen?” He asked with an innocent smile.

A flash of embarrassment flashed through me at that moment and I found myself digging my face into warm, shirt covered shirt.

His chuckle rumbled from his chest making it vibrate into my face, all I know is at that at that exact moment, I felt more at peace than I have ever been.