Knock knock

I finished getting dressed into a crinoline-supported cream colored dress. It had simple deep blue ruffles to the sleeve and waist, similar to dresses I would usually wear. It's a stark contrast to my blunt personality.

"Miss Astor?"

"Come in!"

Absolute eye candy entered the room. Kace Morozova. I remembered his name this time!

"Sorry, I meant to call you to dinner a little while ago but for some reason I walked towards the dungeon with food thinking I'd see you there."

"Ah..." my eyes dart across the room. "You must be tired with all the work the prince makes you do."

He nods his head. "You can follow me to the dining area."

The dining area was a dining hall. It looked more like a small event than dinner. The food is set up buffet style, the prince is seated at the center of the far end. I grit my teeth. I'll throw you into the dungeon next Rowan.

"You may sit where you wish, and take as much food as you like." Kace lowers his head and leaves.

"Are you going to eat too?

"Unfortunately I still have work to do."

I glance over to the prince and grin. "Can you eat with me pleaaase? A request from little miss Astor. Just this once." I plead. The butler covers half his face with his glove seemingly scratching his nose. I can't read his expression this way but his ears go red. Prior to the ball that got me into this mess I was given plenty of training on how to flirt, personally I think I did a good job.

I could've ended up like Lucia Holovatskyi. The prince spilled his drink on her after she demanded to him they get engaged. At least she wasn't doomed to using the toilet in a bucket.

"Sorry Miss Astor I really ha-"

"Go on, eat with her." An irritated voice creeps up behind us. "Better yet, by the order of the prince of Elleris, you Riselle Astor are going to become my butler's fiancee. Since you seem to like him so much." Rowan scoffs.

"Hey you can't just do that!" I snap. I don't dislike his butler at all in face and personality (added, I barely know him yet) but this is just too far.

The prince backs up and turns to a dispersed crowd of people getting food. "Everyone! Tonight's dinner is the engagement party of Riselle Astor of House Dahlia to my butler Kace Morozova! Be sure to spread the word." The crowd claps as formally as it gets. I hear murmurs from every corner but I'm unable to make out the words. That's the world of nobility for you. They don't have anything else to do so they talk about others.

I glance at Kace. His eyes are narrowed at the prince, his hands clenched tight enough the veins on his wrist swell.

"Didn't we agree that you can do what you want with me but leave other people out of it?" He says in a low voice that sent me shivers.

The prince only smiles at him with closed eyes.

I did not want to get roped up into something like this! I should've just left them both alone at the ball to begin with. Oh my god what have I done.

I back away. "I'm going to have dinner. By myself." Before I could run off, Rowan grabs my wrist.

"Come on, you invited him to have dinner with you. Now be a good girl and eat."

"Hands off her please." Kace replies. The prince lets me go and the two of us pick our food in silence. I didn't take much, neither did he.

"Miss Astor I am so sorry."

"What's done is done." I sigh. "You might as well call me Riselle since I'm going to be your wife."

"I'll work something out I promise."

His response gives me an idea. Would Eve be willing to help me get out of this mess? I shake my head. She's sketchy, if Kace can find another way to sort this out, that would be better.

Is marrying him so bad though?

I shake my head again. That would mean remaining here forever getting tormented by the prince.

"Riselle."

My face heats up. His voice is smooth like honey. Maybe I can make light of this and actually enjoy being his fiancee until we sort this out?  "Yes?"

"There's sauce on your face." He lifts a napkin up and gently wipes the side of my lip.

"Aww look at you two lovebirds. Kace, how come you never told me you were seeing someone!" I look up to see a warm skinned brunette with beaming green eyes, probably around my age.

"I just met her at Rowan's ball."

"Huh." Her mouth hangs open and she turns to me. "Is this another one of Rowan's rude games? I'm seriously going to feed him my fist. Oh and hey there, pretty! I'm Adria. Aline's daughter."

She called me pretty hehehe... "Riselle Astor, I think you're pretty too." I smile at her.

"Ahh!" she squeals. "If you're worried, I can vouch Kace is the nicest man I've ever met and he will treat you like a queen."

"That's reassuring."

Kace still looked troubled. Adria turned to him and mirrored his expression. "Hey, well what if you two actually give it a shot and try to fall in love. If it works out then great! If not, I'll help you both get out of this mess."

"I really don't want to put Riselle in this situation."

"It's fine with me. There are worst places and people I could be with." I place my hand on top of his. "Kace Morozova, I'll be in your care."

"You're going to give the poor boy a nosebleed." Adria Laughs. My maybe temporary fiance is stiff and red.

"ha...ha...ha..." like a robot, he turns his head to the side. I'm sure that if he could move it all the way back he would've.

"Riselle, if Kace doesn't work out we have a few other hotties in the castle I can connect you with. You into women as well?" Adria whispers.

"Er... no."

"Bummer, I am." She winks.

"Don't flirt with my fiancee in front of me." Kace chimes in. I didn't realize he's collected himself and was holding the hand I had put on top of his. His hand is cold, and he has long slender fingers. His hand is so thin it seemed skeletal. I looked at my own, and my fingers were almost stubby. I was a chubby kid.

"I guess I'll leave you two alone to your dinner date. Don't have too much fun without me." The brunette chuckles and runs off.

"Riselle, tell me what you want to do." Kace pulls my hand close to his chest. "I will sort this out as soon as possible if you want me to."

I shake my head. "Like I said earlier, I'm willing to get to know you first."

"Rowan will make us miserable."

"Only if we let him." I brush aside the hair that falls over one of his eyes and stare straight at him. "I have one very important question though."

"What is it?"

"I'm a musician, I will dieee if I don't get to play music. I would assume the castle has all instruments I need, want, and more, but would I be allowed to play?"

"Of course. I hope you'll let me listen."