A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 80: Prince Charles

"His Majesty expects you to be in your best behavior," Hellen said tying the stripes on Elena’s back.

"Is that why he personally selected this tight dress for me?" She asked, now rolling her eyes. The dress pronounced her curves as if screaming ’yours truly, Andrian wants you to get married’.

"Your brother loves you," Lilian said, pausing to catch Elena’s reaction. Their eyes met exchanging unspoken words.

"What?" Elena asked when she stared for too long. Lilian busied herself with the stripes. "You want me to admit that I love my brother too?"

"Obviously you do," Lilian said.

"I used to. But the man he’s become... That’s not my brother." She shook her head in denial. "I lost him the minute this burden of royalty was placed on his shoulders."

"He does what is good for his people, and they love him."

"Including selling his sister twice over?" Elena asked, her voice bitter. To that, Lilian said nothing. Instead, she finished tying the stripes and looked at Elena’s reflection in the newly brought full length mirror.

"There! You look stunning!"

Elena studied herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed for unknown reason. Maybe it was the make up. She forced a smile but it never reached her eyes.

Lilian closed in and whispered, "Imagine the look on Charles’ face."

She smiled, and this time it reached her eyes. But not because of Charles. She imagined Gabriel’s eyes raking her body from head to toe before he’d fish out one of his misguided compliments. Something like ’I know I’m handsome’ did cross her mind. Sometimes, Gabriel made her question her beauty. Getting a compliment from him was like fishing for a pearl in a vast ocean.

"We shouldn’t keep His Majesty waiting," Lilian said breaking her from the reverie. Lilian led the way to the throne hall where the king was waiting.

Andrian’s eyes noticed Elena from a far and he couldn’t help but gape in awe. The dress he had specially chosen was red, pronouncing her curves and making her distinct from the rest. Her body appeared more feminine now than the last time he had seen her walk.

Even when she got close, he was still in a daze. "Such behavior is unbefitting for a king, Your Majesty," Elena said, looking straight ahead. Her cleavage was in full view now.

"You’re beautiful sister," Rian complimented. Elena would have slapped him again if she had the chance.

"We don’t want to keep the guests waiting," she said and started walking without Andrian’s consent. That was treason in itself! The princess was supposed to walk behind the king and not the other way round. Andrian’s clenched his fists but let this one slip for now. His eyes swept around the throne hall but the knights were too quick to avert their gazes from Elena’s retreating figure. He should have known better before selecting the dress.

*****

The largest of the ships was the first to dock in the harbor. Prince Charles was standing at the stern in the front, his gaze fixated on the high walls of the castle of Mysthaven. This place brought memories that churned his insides just at the look of it.

He was tall, almost as tall as Gabriel, and Caucasian. Every strand of his hair was white, almost golden. Under his left eye, he had a scar that run to his left cheek, but it only acted to make him deadlier.

"We’re here son," his father spoke not too far behind. Charles tilted his head to meet with his father’s gaze as he walked up to where he stood. Placing his hands heavily on his son’s shoulders, he breathed in the chill air.

"Somehow warm compared to ours," he commented. And squeezing Charles’ shoulders gently, "I know you hate that Mysthaven bitch." He let his fingers caress the scar on his son’s face.

"No father would want this for his son but we’re royalty boy. We marry for power and wealth. Whatever misunderstandings you may have between you and the Thornhart’s, I want you to leave them on this ship. Promise me, boy? Eeh?" He clapped his cheeks.

Charles nodded bitterly. "I want a verbal answer," His father demanded.

"I_ I promise, father."

"Good!" The king exclaimed and patted him on the shoulder before yelling out an order. "Lower the sails!"

The royal carriage marched down the harbor accompanied by a file of knights on foot. Andrian was the first to step out, his hands gloved to keep off the biting wind in this side of the capital. Elena followed shortly, her red dress quickly drawing the attention of the commoners at sight.

"Milady," an old woman greeted, a basket of fish hoisted on her back. Elena ungloved her hand and offered her a nod.

The king was the first to alight, followed closely by his son. Andrian walked halfway to meet the entourage.

"I trust you had a good time sailing here, Your Majesty," he said, greeting the king.

"Had the winds been kind to us, we’d arrived sooner," the king replied. And turning to face his son. "Charlie, meet King Andrian. I believe you two have met before."

Andrian extended his hand to greet him. Charles took it, squeezing it a bit harder while giving him a ’looks could kill’ gaze.

"It’s good to see you again, Your Majesty. Alive and healthy," he added that part, accompanying it with a sheepish smile. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Andrian retracted his hand, clenching it into a fist behind his back. Elena was the only one who noticed this.

"This is my sister, Elena Thornhart," he introduced. Elena stepped forward, her eyes meeting with Charles’. She expected that evil look but she got a smile instead.

He stepped forward too, taking her hands into his. God! He was cold she could feel her blood freeze. He planted his lips on the back of her hands before rising to meet with her eyes.

"My Lady," he greeted. Elena’s eyes fell on the scar, and she couldn’t help but turn nervous.

"Charles?" His father called. "You’re making her nervous."

"I tend to have the same effect on people," he said, lifting his lips into a smile. "I’m looking forward to spending more time with you, My Lady." He said, finally letting go off her hands.

’You wish!’ Elena thought but she only smiled, a staged smile.