I swallow the lump in my throat, gaze casted onto my own anxious figure staring at the mirror, flattening the ruffles in the different areas of my dress.

"I'll be fine, it's not like the king would send me to execution."

All the anxiety I was holding back from the archery session to the café with Rowan was coming to me. My legs now trembling, weak, stuck to the ground like glue.

Come on self you got to go! It'll be a bigger problem if we're late!

I suck in air and put in all my strength to step out of my room. My hands are shaking, I feel like I want to throw up.

At one point I'm going to meet the king anyways. Better earlier than later I guess.

Down the halls, to the place used for special events, I enter with my eyes shut tight, reluctant to open them but I must not make myself look like a fool before such a person.

"Hello Riselle!" An enthusiastic voice greets and I look at the man seated at the opposite end of the large table set out.

It was true, he looked just like Rowan but with grey hairs and an aged face. But with his age he was still fit, had a youthful and approachable impression. Approachable unlike Rowan.

"Greetings your highness." I bow my head down before taking my seat. Still, he remains smiling at me. Is this really the man that made his illegitimate child become a butler?

"Oh you may call me father!" He gives off a hefty chuckle

"F-father?"

"You're Rowan's fiancee aren't you?"

"Ahh, uhm... He hasn't proposed to me yet so no." I haven't thought about that yet though. If he does propose will I say yes?

It's true that I love him, and being apart from him for a long time makes me sad.

"That clod! No wonder we've still been recieving so many letters regarding Rowan being unmarried. He already finds someone but doesn't propose?! Is he trying to make the same mistakes as me?" The king's angered voice was loud enough to echo. I'm sure the rest of the castle heard that.

Now I'm just to sit here awkwardly and wait for Rowan who is supposed to join us.

"Riselle. You don't have to worry, I'll deal with my dumbass son alright?"

"Right." The strong language surprises me a little bit. I don't have anything against it but I just thought the king would be the more serious and formal type, like Rowan. Although the king as he is now is better than what I had in mind.

"Father." Rowan entered right at that moment, visible cold sweat and no composure. "I haven't proposed yet because I didn't want to pressure Riselle. Until she's absolutely comfortable around me..."

"Hmm." King Quentin looks to Rowan, then me. "I understand that. But Rowan if you ever make the same foolish mistake I did not only will you face my wrath, but live the rest of your life with that regret."

"I understand that, father. No part of me wishes to do anything to hurt the woman I love." Rowan looks to me and smiles. The duality of this man.

Extremely sweet, or an ass.

The king was quick to calm his head, and Rowan takes his seat. And I'm left with this question. "I hope it isn't disrespectful of me to ask, but why have you called for me today. Err, father?"

"Father... It's like I finally have a daughter now.
The reason I had set this up was because I wanted to have a chat with my future daughter in law. You'll be the queen of Elleris soon too."

Hold on I- completely forgot about that. If I marry Rowan I'm also going to become the queen. Do I want to think of this now though? Definitely not.

"Oh but you don't need to worry about that now. And even when the time comes I'm sure you'll be a great queen."

"Ahaha." I doubt that. I'd have to work more on my academics.

"Oh aren't you two feeling hungry yet? Please have the food served." He asks us, then instructs one of the maids nearby before we even respond.