Chapter 58: THE BETROTHED

[LENA]

I watched him gracefully walk up the stairs, along with the eyes of the entire palace staff, who all seemed to have appeared out of nowhere to see him arrive.

The crown princess's husband-to-be and future king consort of Ephemere.

He reached me, bowed, and held out his hand.

I offered my hand, and his lips lightly grazed the back of it. He straightened up, and our eyes met.

"Princess Lena," he said, smiling warmly. "It's nice to see you again."

The cold prince wasn't cold anymore. 

I smiled back. "Hello, again, Prince Andre."

His smile broadened slightly when I addressed him by his nickname. He then bowed to my father and grandmother, who stood behind me.

"Your Majesties, it is an honor," he said politely, also kissing the Queen Mother's offered hand.

"Prince Alexandre, welcome back to Ephemere," the Queen Mother said, looking extremely pleased. "I trust your journey has been well."