Cora's POV

"Ouch!" I hissed, annoyed as Beth tightened my corset. My uncle practically ordered me to wear one of my more elegant gowns for the princes... or should I say my fiancés arrival.

What could my uncle have anything to gain from this? Me married? Tied down by the burden of matrimony? That absurd, But what bothers be more is Prince William, he has seen my face. When we met again he will know it's me and that I tried to kill him and he will tell everyone. My uncle will have me beheaded for lying to him and putting his kingdom at risk. Even by a slim chance the prince does not recognize me I WILL NOT marry him. That's just ridiculous. I don't have the first clue about what my uncle has up his sleeve this time but fat chance that I am marrying the ghastly man. In fact My Fiancé's won't even get the chance to meet my dear uncle, because I am going to kill him first.

"Sorry my lady, but after all, it is a corset. May I say it looks simply darling on you! " Says Beth.

I sighed again in frustration, glancing once more at myself in the mirror. I really did look wonderful with this gold and White corset. My jet black hair, curled and pinndd back just slightly, but still ran down my shoulders and back in the most elegant way. It was not my style. I would prefer my armor over this gown any day.

Knock knock knock

"Come in" I yelled towards my bedroom doors.

The door opened and a pristinely dressed member of the Kings Guard steps in. "Your uncle the King has requested your presents immediately my lady. The prince has just entered the town gates and will be arriving at the palace shortly."

"Thank you" I reply as he bowed and left my chambers.

"All finished my lady" Beth sings cheerfully as she turned to face me.

"You look exquisite" she said in awe.

"And I have you to thank for it"

*******

I took a nervous breath as I waited for the princes royal carriage to pull up. My uncle stood beside me, also waiting to greet the princes arrival. Unlike I planned he had postponed another meeting he had scheduled so he could meet the prince.. I was fresh out of luck and ideas at the moment.

"You will act accordingly.. A lot of this rests upon the prince and his fathers first impression on you so don't disappoint me child." my uncle warned

First impression you say? I could only imagine the princes reaction to seeing me again.

"Yes uncle" I played along with being the obedient little niece. Yet I still had every intention of killing the prince, the first and best opportunity that comes my way.

I started to hear the sounds of trumpeting. The prince has arrived along with a small brigade of men atop matching brown steeds. My Uncle and I began to walk towards the princes coach to wait for him to step out.

The door opened and out came not the prince but an older man, bearing a crown of jewel encrusted gold on his head. This was no prince, this was a King

"I now present to you king Phillips of Valador" announcer the royal cryer to my uncle, who then nodded respectfully. Then the cryer turned towards king Phillips.

"Your highness may I present to you king Xavier the 3rd and his niece princesses Cora "

King Phillips extended his hand out to my uncle and they shook hands. King Phillips turned to me with a smile and kissed my hand.

"How do you do?" I asked politely.

"Quite well my lady. My son needed to take care of a few things before he made the trip but he should be arriving within the hour."

"That is wonderful. That will give us the time to discuss arrangements" my uncle says through a wicked smile.

"Yes, quite perfect indeed" King Phillip agreed.

"Now you Cora will wait for the prince to arrive and greet him formally, and then please bring him to the throne room so we can discuss wedding agreements." my uncle ordered.

"As you wish uncle" I replied.

"Oh what a lovely young lady you are. I am sure my son will just adore you!" Said Phillip cheerfully."'

More like want me beheaded?

"Thank you your Grace." I Curtsy. He smiled at me once again and then the two kings made their way inside the castle.

Once they were out of sight I let out a breath I did not even know I was holding. Then I smile wickedly at the thought that I found my way to get the prince alone before my uncle gets to meet him... He will never even know what hit him.

***

I watched from a distance as 2 men alone came riding in the town gates. That couldn't be them? Shouldn't the prince be surrounded by guards? What a fool. Oh well it will just make my life a little easier. It's sure a shame the situation I got myself in. It's a shame I have to kill this man right away. After all he is like me and I could learn a few things about what exactly am I... Maybe I'll ask him a few questions before he... meets his end.

The 2 men dismounted their horses and made there way into the palace stables. Why would the prince be going in there?

I snuck around the large bar. and popped my head up beside one of the windows to get a good look at what was going on.

"Your highness this is ridicules." Said a scrappy young man about the same age as the prince. The prince was removing the saddle from his own horse and the young man, one who appeared to be the princes butler tried to make him stop. It was obviously the young man's job to unsaddle the horse.

"For the love of god Norman STOP!" William yelled in frustration.

"You have been sick the last few days and you still haven't gotten nearly enough of your strength back for heavy lifting. So until then I am completely capable of caring for my own steed."

"But you shouldn't have to. Why Didn't you bring someone more efficient then I for this journey?"

"Because what you currently lack in strength, they permanently lack in brain." William says with a laugh.

"I am going to take that as A complement your majesty" Norman said after a laugh.

"You better. They don't come easy my friend." The Prince retorted.
The prince set both saddles on the rack and turned back to Norman.

"Your highness I must insist that you go meet the king and your new bride. I hear she's a pretty one." Says Norman as he raked some fresh hay together and put it inside the stalls.

"I wish to be anywhere but here, old friend. You of all people should know that I am not looking forward to this what so ever. "

"I think marriage could do you some good. You need something a little more stable in your life." Norman mimicked in a girlish tone.

"Ouch" Norman complained as William hit him over the head with the saddlebag.

"Can we please not discuss the argument I had with my mother this morning again." William asked annoyed.

"If you will please go join your father and the king. Plus you don't want to keep your future bride waiting" norman mocked sarcastically.

"Alright. Fine. After your done grooming and feeding the horses find me immediately." Ordered William

"Yes your majesty" norman nods Respectfully, then returned to the horses.

This was it. This was my chance to Ambush him. Once he walks around the Corner he is mine.

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Sorry for the really long wait. I am very busy with work and I am currently working on two other books. But I am making this one my main focus now. So please keep reading and don't Forget to always vote and comment your thoughts!! Thanks guys! (Mariska98)