The atmosphere was kind of stiff. I guess we had a little fight, it seemed as if we were a married couple. I have no idea what he's thinking. I need to keep my guard up both inside and outside the castle. Three years are pretty long. Will he even let me go? There's no way I can trust those words. The person infront of me is Allen Standford, my soon to be husband and....my biggest enemy.
The carriage stopped suddenly.
"Sir we have arrived".
"Alright."
Allen stepped outside and raised his hand for me again. Yeah I guess we need to act intimate and all lovey dovey. I smiled and took his hand and went towards the boutique. The name was "The House of Viels". It was really huge and sparkling. There were so many pretty dresses. I was lost for a minute, it really felt like a dream but the only bad thing is I'm not marrying the man I love nor the one who loves me.
"Ahh Welcome Your Highness". The tailor said to Allen. "How could I help you today".
"I want to check out some engagement ceremony dresses for my fiancee."
"Fiancee?!. Your getting married!". The tailor looked with shock
"Yes, this here is Celine. She's the woman I'm going to get married to".
"Oh my what a gorgeous young lady. Your Highness, your taste is awesome. Well then Madam would you like to come with me for a moment".
"Ahh yes." I was so nervous. This is my first time going shopping. The lady begain to measure my size.
"Oh my Madam why are you so thin, especially your waiste".
"Pardon, really haha?. I don't think I'm that thin".
"No, your probably underweight as well. Does the Prince not feed you well".
"Waitt..what no no, Allen isn't like that. I've always been like this and I eat alot".
"I see.....Madam look here these are some designs for engagement ceremonies, tell me which one suits your taste".
"Ah thank you, I'll look at them." I went through the pages, most of them were too extragavent and fancy and some of them were too revealing. After a while I finally found something that'll work for me.
"Ahm I like this one".
"Oh good choice Madam, but isn't this too simple for an engagement ceremony. Dresses like these are mostly worn in balls".
"Yes, your right but I like these type of dresses".
"Oh of course Madam. Why don't you show the Prince as well".
"Ohh rig..ghht. Allen! Come here, look isn't this dress good". Allen came towards me just as I asked. This is the first time he did something I asked for without any complaints. I prefer him to be like this.
"Hmm, it looks pretty. It's not much fancy nor revealing. It's just like you prefer. I think it's good for the ceremony." He said with a gorgeous smile in his face. What in the world! Is this how he act in front of others. What a scumbag!.
"Yes, it's to my liking. Let's buy this one for the ceremony".
"Sure, as long as you like it". He said again with a pretty smile". I also smiled back at him. I don't know why but I'm feeling disappointed. If only he were like this when we're alone, maybe I would've loved him, but he's the total opposite.
"Ok then Madam come this way. Let's try this dress on you".
"Ahh yes." Then I went towards the changing room. The lady gave me the dress to try on. It was more prettier than in the picture. I begain to undress. The real reason that I prefer wearing unrevealing clothes is this. The scars and burns on my whole body. I didn't want anyone to see them, the only one who's ever seen these is Emily and Catherine though I asked them not to tell anyone. Especially the one on my back. It's pathetic. A lady with all these scars, nobody will love her or accept her.
"Madam, are you done I'm coming in to adjust and fit the dress". The lady suddenly opened the door and stepped one of her foots inside.
"No no no I haven't still wear it, don't come in". I pushed the door back and closed it. Sheesh that was close. I think she didn't see them.
.....
"What in the world". Why does..does she has this many scars on her back. The way she closed the door, she probably doesn't want anyone to see. Does the Prince hit her, no no the Prince isn't someone like that. Wait does he even know. I need to inform him about those.
"Your Highness do you have a moment".
"Ah yes, is Celine done".
"Ehh no she's still trying the dress. Umm well I wanted to talk to you about something".
"Go on".
"Do you know that the lady's body is filled with bruises,burns and scars".
"Lady, what are you talking about. Scars and burns?."
It seems the Prince doesn't know as well. Who in the world could so something like this.
"Yes Your Highness, you heard me right. I entered the changing room but the Madam pushed me out as she was undressed and for a mere second I saw her body's reflection in the mirror. Her whole back was filled with scars and burns. I couldn't believe my eyes. Who in the world could do something like this".
"I think I know who was behind it". They already faced their death,it still wasn't enough. "Lady thank you for informing me".
"Ah yes, there's no need of tha-"
"Umm lady, I'm done wearing the dress".
"Ahh, yes I'm coming Madam".
Hmm bruises, scars and even burns. I knew it was a bit strange that she wore such modest clothes. I'm sure she got them from somewhere else. Did her father or step mother beat her up?. Or was she tortured by the person she worked for in the past. I'll need to do some investigation. Hitting a girl, what shitty people.
"Madam you can come out now".
"Ah yes. Ohh my it actually suits me".
" Oh my Lord, Madam you look so stunning."
"Haha your flattering me lady. Hmm then Allen what do you think, do I look good".
She looks gorgeous. That's the first thought that came to my mind when she came out in. I've never thought of anyone as pretty or gorgeous,but this woman. She's the first woman who made me think something like that. I don't know why but this women always ends up making me go through emotions that I haven't felt for a long time. Hahh seriously Allen Standford your so pathetic.
"Umm Al..Allen. Is something wrong with this dress".
"You look stunning, Little Squirrel". This was my honest compliment. It's my first time complimenting someone without faking it.
"Really Haha then we'll be buying this dress right". This jerk what's he calling me in front of these people.
"Yes. Lady we'll buying this dress with the shoes as well."
"Yes Your Highness".
"I'll go change into my dress again. Give me five minutes". I changed my dress. And Allen paid the money. It costed a fortune though it was probably a small amount for Allen. They said they'll deliver it at the Castle after three days.
We went back to the carriage and it seemed we weren't done.
"Allen. Where are we going next".
"Hmm. To buy a ring".
"Oh a ring."
"Is there any colour you prefer?".
That's the first time he's asked me about my preference.
"Well, maybe red or blue coloured one. They'll look better with the dress."
"Hmm a diamond one would look better don't you think Little Squirrel".
I was wrong, he literally ignored what I preferred. Well whatever any ring would work.
"Ahh your totally correct a diamond one would look much prettier". I just agreed with him because I don't have strength to bicker with him. But he looked at me with those eyes. Eyes that looked so lonely.
"You, why are you like this?."
"Huhh? Like what".
"Nevermind".
What the.. that was weird. Allen today seems nicer. He's not usually like this.
"You're being nice today. Why is that".
"Nice? aren't I like this usually".
"No absolutely not! Your very harsh with me".
"Is that so. Then do you like me this way better".
"Huh?... Well I mean it's better than you being mad at me."
"Hmm, then I'll treat you nicely from today onwards".
"Oh umm yeah that's fine".
Good enough. Acting like this is perfect. My manipulation is totally working on her. All I need to do is make her trust me and then she'll be in my grasp. I still can't fully trust this woman. I don't know what little tricks her little mind is playing but whatever it is it's amusing.
He's acting weird. A bit too weird. There's no way he's gonna treat me nicely out of all a sudden. Just what are you thinking Allen Standford. I'm not an easy one. I'll escape from you no matter what.
After a while we reached the jewelry store. There were so many shiny and bright necklaces with jewels embedded in them. They probably cost a hefty. Well whatever it's not my money anyways.
"Welcome Your Highness. How can we help you".
"Show me the most expensive and the most outstanding ring you have".
"As you wish Your Highness. Please come this way".
"W...wait a minute Allen! The most expensive."
"So what".
"Well I mean, it's going to be really really expensive".
He replied me with his smile. Seriously he's totally out of his mind. Well leave that, there's one thing I've been ignoring from the beginning. Why the hell is everyone looking at me with disdain. They're literally gossiping about me. I can hear them. Well anyways I'm not bothered by it at all. Other's opinion doesn't matter.
"Here Your Highness this is the most expensive and the most outstanding ring in our store. A Diamond is set at the center, encircled by blue Sapphires."
It was just so magnificent. I couldn't believe my eyes. The beauty this ring held. There's no way it'll suit me. I'm not even that pretty.
"Huhh? Wha-". Allen took my hand and putted on the ring. I got butterflies in my stomach.
" Hmm it's a bit bigger. What do you think Celine. Do you like it".
"Ah Yes, it's actually really pretty". I said with a smile.
"Hmm I'm glad you like it. Can we get a ring one size smaller than this".
"Yes sir we'll make it for you".
"How long will it take?"
"Approximately a week or two".
"Hmm that's fine. Are there any other jewelry with the same design".
"Ah yes, we have a full set. Do you wish to see it".
"There won't be any need to see it. Well buy the whole set including the ring as well. You can come take your money when ring is finished".
"Yes Your Highness".
"Well then we'll be leaving now".
After buying that ring for me Allen and I left. Now we were heading to meet Catherine. Both of us were sitting and it was pure silence. Maybe I'm overthinking but I'm so uncomfortable right now.
"What are you scheming". Allen said.
"Huhh? What do you mean by scheming".
"Do you really think I'll believe it that your going to meet that friend of yours to only invite her to our wedding".
"Well, that's the only reason I'm visiting her." Damn this bastard. I've tried my best to hide my motive. There's no way I'm gonna reveal my plan to him. Relax Celine.
"Drop your act".
"I'm not acting Allen. I really don't have any other reason to meet her. She's the only friend I have so I missed her a bit as well."
"Hmm is that so?".
"Yes, that's the only reason. There's no way I'm planning any other thing. I won't do something that'll end up killing my brother".
"It's good you remembered that".
And that was the only conversation we had. After somethime we arrived at the village where Catherine lived, it was a little further from the town.
I got off the carriage. I saw Catherine working in the farm. I screamed so loudly.
"Catherine!!!. I'm back!?"
Catherine looked at with such a surprising face. Her eyes filled up with tears and she threw the shovel and came running towards me.
"Celine!! Your back, your back!".
We both hugged each other so tightly. She couldn't stop crying hahah. Well I was really happy to see her.
"Well, Catherine I have lots of things to talk about shall we head inside?".
"Yeah yeah, let's go".
"Ohh ahh umm Allen, let's go inside".
"You may go inside I'll wait for you in the carriage and remember only thirty minutes."
"Yes yes".
Then both me and Catherine went inside the house. It was the same as usual. I'm so happy to be back.
"Catherine where are the kids".
"They went outside to play. They'll be back before sunset".
"Ohh Alright".
"Celine, why was His Highness with you?".
"Well, umm The thing is we're basically getting married".
Catherine froze.
"Young lady, what in the world are you spitting."
"No I mean it's actually the truth".
"Y..yo-your getting married to His Highness!"
"Hmmm."
"Wait a second why are you making such a face."
I patted the sofa asking her to sit down.
"Catherine listen".
"I'm all ears".
"I need your help."