Chapter 3: Meeting the Princes
After making sure that Princess Laurana got inside the palace; Theo, turned and walked, as well, on the opposite direction, towards the guest wing. While doing so, he can't help but smile, shake his head and ruffle his dark brown shoulder length hair. As the first to arrive in the guest wing of the palace, he chose the room with a balcony that opens to the same scenery as the princess balcony's view.
Not for long, the two princes of Furstenberg, Prince Egon and his brother arrived at the palace, they were ushered to the guest wing by the palace servants. The younger prince looked around and asked Prince Egon.
"Brother, what room are you going to pick?"
"Far away from your room."
The younger prince chose a room with a balcony while Prince Egon chose a room a few rooms away from his brother. A few moments later, the rest of the princes arrived at the guest wing and settled in. The gifts they brought for the princess were collected and taken to an another part of the palace where it will undergo inspection. The princes' guards and servants were dismissed and wasn't allowed to go inside the palace for security purposes.
The prince with the longest black hair was the first one to get out of his room and went room-to-room to talk with the princes. Five of them decided to gather in the lounge area of the guest wing. Even, Prince Egon was persuaded by them, they thought that there's only six of them because Prince Theo was still resting in his room.
Prince Romeo of Brydemere, the prince with the longest hair, looks that are more feminine than masculine and the most talkative of them all; shared to the princes what he heard from a female palace servant.
"There was a prince who arrived in the morning."
The princes looked at each other and shake their heads showing how clueless they all are.
"Then, who is he?"
Prince Egon seems like he has an idea of who it is. "It might have been the princess' close friend from Scandinavia."
"What, he's one of us? That's not fair!" It was the suave looking prince that complained.
Prince Romeo took a glance at the youngest prince, Prince Egon's brother.
"Didn't you look in the opposite room of yours?"
"No, I thought everyone is already here."
Before they could check that room, a palace servant came.
"Princes, His Imperial Majesty and Her Imperial Majesty is expecting you in the royal garden." The princes get changed into their royal suits before letting the palace servant usher them. Before leaving, one of the princes was kind enough to slip a piece of paper on the bottom of Prince Theo's door saying "Royal Garden".
Not long, after they left, Prince Theo woke up and noticed that it was quiet in the guest wing. He walked towards the door to peek outside and saw a piece of paper by the door. After reading it, he quickly get changed and went out.
...
Arriving in the garden pavilion, which is similar to a traditional chinese garden pavilion; the Emperor and the Empress are sitting in a table close to the wall that overlooks the whole royal garden. On both sides of their table are two long tables facing one another, where the guests will be sitting. Prince Egon, his brother and the suave looking prince walked to the farthest table from the entrance; while Prince Romeo, the kind prince and the quiet prince took the opposite table. Before taking their seats, the princes simultaneously greets the Emperor and Empress, then, did a neck bow.
"Greetings, Your Imperial Majesties!"
The Emperor looked at them and waved his hand.
"Take a seat."
"Why are there only six of you here? Where's Prince Theo?" The Emperor simply asked.
"Apologies, Your Imperial Majesties." They all looked towards the sound of the voice.
"Oh there he is. You can take your seat. The Princess is the one who's late." The Empress laughed at his husband's humor, followed by the princes' chuckling.
While all of this is happening, someone was still in her dreamland. On the other side of the door were anxious servants waiting for her to wake up.
*Continuous knocking*
"Princess?"
"Are you awake, Princess?"
"May we come in?"
"Princess?"
"Are you alright, Princess?"
Rubbing my eyes.
"Who's there?" "Five more minutes."
"Princess?"
"Yes..?" Stretching. "Come in.. What is it..?"
"They're waiting for you at the royal garden, Princess."
"Royal.. garden..?" I abruptly sit up and my eyes were wide open.
"I overslept! Quick, help me get ready!" I said while panicking.
Back at the garden pavilion. Out of all the princes that asked permission from the Emperor to court the princess, only these seven princes were approved because they are fit to become an emperor. But, the final decision will still be decided by Princess Laurana.
"I know you're all hungry because of your travels. Go ahead." The Empress gestured the servants to serve the appetizers.
"As you may all have noticed, your guards and servants was not allowed to go inside the palace. This is for the protection and safety of the royal family, especially, Princess Laurana. In terms of safety, you don't have to worry about it, the palace guards are highly skilled and experienced. We'll assign one male palace servant to each one of you. Understood?"
The princes were impressed by the commanding and imposing appearance of the Emperor.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."
Looking at my reflection in the mirror; wearing a long-sleeved, high-waisted maroon maxi dress with matching maroon beret and a dusty rose colored high heels; I'm quite satisfied. Now, I'm ready to meet the princes.
...
"Announcing the arrival of Princess Laurana Clementine Alexandrovanov."
All of them turned their heads and; the princes got up from their seats and did a neck bow.
"Greetings, Your Imperial Highness."
I smiled at the princes and did a small curtsy. "Greetings, Princes."
"Greetings, Your Imperial Majesties."
I walked towards our table, sat on the left side of my father. As I did, father looked at me.
"Did something happened?"
I shook my head and whispered, "No, father, I overslept, my apologies to you and mother."
After we finished eating, tea were served to each one of us. I peeked at the princes earlier, and my goodness, they're so attractive and charismatic especially with their fitted royal suits. But, when my eyes passed by Prince Theo, I suddenly remembered what happened outside the stables. Damn, those blue eyes and messy dark brown hair. I might blushed if I looked at him for too long, mainly because of his fitted royal blue suit and pants with a white silk tie, white polo and a black leather shoes that made him even more handsome.
The Emperor and Empress left first, letting Laurana and the princes to get to know one another.
"Would anyone mind if we moved to the round table outside, not far from here?" I suggested we move because it'll be so awkward if we talked with this distance between all of us.
Someone's walking towards me, the long haired prince.
"Prince Romeo of Brydemere, Princess."
I accepted his hand and he kissed the back of my hand.
Prince Egon smacked that prince's head and offered his hand instead.
"2nd Prince Egon of Furstenberg, Princess."
He, then, helped me up and asked seriously, "May I offer my arms for you to hold unto?"
"Thank you, but I think I can manage." I smiled at him, yet, I don't feel any sincerity or warmth from him.
We made our way outside, with Prince Egon at my left side and Prince Romeo at the right side, the rest of the princes were following us. If I would describe Prince Romeo, I'll use the words-- socialite and a ladies' man. He's the most fashionable of them all and likes flirting with women. For instance, what he's wearing now is a black blazer suit jacket with gold shiny sequins on only the left side, a black vest, white polo with black ruffles on the middle. Now, he's complimenting me.
"You're as pretty as a picture, Princess."
"Thank you, Prince." I smiled with a friendly expression.
"You look enchanting."
I chuckled, "Stop with the compliments, will you?"
...
Arriving at the big round table with chairs near the middle of the royal garden, Prince Egon pulled out a chair for me.
"Thank you."
Prince Egon reached for the seat on my right but was stopped by Prince Romeo.
"Why don't we let Princess Laurana choose who's going to sit on either sides?"
The princes agreed and looked at me. I chose the youngest prince and the quiet prince to seat on my left and right side, respectively. Then, the other princes chose their own seats.
"I still don't know the rest of your names. Could you introduce yourself?" I glanced at the youngest prince.
"Of course, Princess. 4th Prince Henri of Furstenberg."
Next to him was the kind prince who slipped a piece of paper under Prince Theo's door.
"Prince Leopold of Rohann, Princess."
Every after they introduced themselves, we respectfully nod at each other.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
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red_grapes Hi!
I'll be releasing a chapter that introduces the characters, soon.
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Thank you and see you in the next chapter!
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