"What if we fail?" Acelya asked anxiously, although she already knew the answer.
"Those who fail divorce, from the choice of" Lean said quietly. It gave no indication whether he regretted that or whether it occurred to him located. But it had been clear from the outset that only three girls would reach the next round and only one would win his heart at the end. Had he been a favorite among them and their failure would regret the way he had regrets that Heera had the test fails with the strawberries?
In the afternoon, Celestia, Xenia and Acelya left the castle. All three went in different directions, while the other chosen girls watched from the windows. None of them knew what the three had to do or when they would return. Would your test done within a few hours or it would take days like Heera?
"I cannot understand why the prince requires us to master tasks that would create little man," said Daphne complained sullenly. "I thought he was looking for a bride and not his new bodyguard!"
"They test us to find out how serious our interest in the prince is," said Phoebe.
"I want to marry the prince, but I do not want to be eaten by some strange creature, only to catch my love to the test", disagreed with Daphne. "Dead I bring neither him nor anybody something."
"You can give up," her hit Agnes before grinning.
"That’s your wish!" Snapped Daphne.
"I'd do anything to win the prince's heart," Medea said suddenly. She stood somewhat apart from the other girls, looking at any individuals now challenging eyes.
"Not only you," countered Phoibe and met her gaze.
"I have nothing to lose," said Erina with the same seriousness. For not the selection was a game, even if the motives were perhaps different. Medea was about love, Erina for their lives and Daphne ... This did not as accurate. Heera did not even know why they even stayed longer. It was not only because of Medea. Her sister said barely a word with her. But it was not because of the prince or of the crown. Could she be just curious? Your standing before any more tests and she was certain that the prince would in any case decide not end for them. Maybe he underestimated even their fighting spirit and admired her for her courage, but she was no queen, not even a bride.
For a moment there was silence, then Daphne spoke again, as if nothing had happened.
"What they need to do well?"
"Maybe they have to fight against the Hydra of the South", mused Phoebe, what Daphne paled. "The nine-headed snake?"
"Or the queen asked for the golden apples of the Hesperus" Erina whispered anxiously.
"You are all scaredy cat m! None of you is worthy to be the wife of the prince, "Agnes announced condescending and stalked out of the room.
"Pride goeth before a fall," hissed her Daphne gradually puzzled continue with the other girls, while Heera looked out the window and faded out the conversation. Thick snowflakes fell from the sky. Traces of the three chosen been gone, as if it had never existed. She thought of her family who was sitting many miles away from the castle in her little hut on fire, while the cold wind blew through the cracks in the wood. However, this year they were warmed by the hope that two of her daughters had the chance to change their lives forever. How she wished she could invite her mother for just one day in the castle. Or Elena. With her little sister she would even enjoy the opulent feasts. Her eyes were wide with amazement and she would be on the big dance floor in a circle turning like a true princess.
From their desire packed Heera stood beside Medea.
"I wish Elena could be with us," she said trusts.
Medea looked at her in surprise and smiled for a brief moment before they became serious again. "They would give us two steal the show."
Heera’s own smile faded from her face also. "Is that what you reproach me?"
"Not until you steal the show and at the end of the prince."
"Look around," Heera hissed angrily and pointed at Daphne, Phoebe and Erina. "I'm the last person you should be afraid of you. Any other would be a better queen than me. Any other would want it more than I do! "
"If you do not want it, why are you still here?"
"What mother would say, if I just give up? I cannot do this to her! "
"What will they say when I return home, while you stay at the Prince? The whole village will mock me! "
"No one will laugh at you!" Hissed Heera applied. It broke her heart, how jealous was her sister. "Why do you care more about what others think about you? Only you are ashamed of me and now you fear me! You're my sister and I would always stand by you. No matter what you do and no matter what happens. Why cannot love me the same way? "
Injured Heera resigned, leaving Medea are. The other girls were watching curiously. They were the only two sisters among the elect and although Heera was there only because of Medea, was not a day on which they made no war with each other.
Lean sat on his white horse, who scratched restless with their hooves. Beside him, Silas had on his brown mare. Another horse was waiting for his rider. Lean had invited to spend the day with him Daphne. Silas would accompany them, partly because he had promised his friend to introduce him to Daphne. Gambling debts were debts of honor that he could not sit up. Secondly, his mother would anyway insist that he not spent alone with a girl anytime. She was afraid that there might be a kiss and thought they could put a stop when they sent with someone. Leans own steadfastness they did not seem to trust.
After half an hour Daphne stepped out of the castle. She wore black breeches under her pink Velvet coat. On her head was a hat with big feathers. Lean back a laugh had to resist, but Silas seemed to look like the picture. However, Daphne was visibly disappointed that they do not alone encountered the prince what they brought also open for discussion. "I was hoping you all day to have for myself," she cooed to Lean.
However, this waved. "This is my faithful friend Silas. You'll hardly notice. He is silent as the grave. "He would not have lied, but that would soon realize Daphne. Silas stepped up to the blonde girl. "May I help you on the horse, winsome Daphne?" He asked charmingly.
Although Daphne sniffed, but accepted his offer without a word. The three of them rode off and left the courtyard. They passed through the city to the enthusiasm of the citizens who were gazing them in amazement, as they rode into the woods. The snow crunched along the paths under the horses' hooves. Daphne rode beside the Prince, as she said, "Tell me, my lord, we will spend the whole day on the back of a horse?"
"Do not you like the ride, then?" He said with amusement. He had already anticipated that he could make her so no joy. Daphne seemed to be a girl who probably particularly felt in nature.
"On your side I would prepare myself pleasure muck a pigsty," the girl assured him hastily. "But I was hoping we would be able to talk."
"We talk yet," Lean grinned cheekily and he saw with amusement the annoyance that they did not try to show him. Had he been an ordinary farmer young, she had long since left for him safely. She was used to be swarmed and courted. Silas did just that. "Daphne is just too polite to tell you that you cannot lead a lady in the cold, but a warm fire," he said, smiling at the girl friendly.
Daphne was the but completely cold, without looking at him, she said with a pointed tone. "That was not what I wanted to say and I can very well talk to myself."
"I'm sure. Your lovely mouth is certainly more than made to speak, "chuckled Silas, whereupon Lean started laughing. Outraged drove around Daphne to the friend of the Prince and punished him with an angry look.
"I can reassure you, dear Daphne, we will stop at the hunting of my family. There awaits us a richly laid table in front of a roaring fire, "assured her Lean, which found it hard not to laugh again.
After about half an hour they reached the said palace. Once they entered the small courtyard, rushed immediately brought three boys who relieved them the horses and led in stables. Daphne hooked up unasked at the prince and joined with him in the castle. "That was a wonderful ride," she purred, while their Lean looked at how happy she was in the fores
t and the cold to now leave behind. Silas stepped on her other side.
"I also found it quite charmingly, but that was because of the lovely accompaniment," he tried to flirt with Daphne, who continued to ignore him cocky.
"Maybe we should take Daphne next time with the hunt," suggested Lean and watched with satisfaction as the girl frightened eyes elevation. He had to suppress a laugh.
In the small hall of the palace there was already crackling fire in the fireplace. Three large wing chairs and a table with tea and cakes were before. Lean settled and left Daphne offered the chair in the middle. While Silas right took her place. She pulled her cloak. Underneath she wore a white blouse that was not the usual buttoned up to his neck, but the top three buttons were left open seemingly at random, so that they granted deep insights into Daphne's well-stocked décolleté. While Silas's eyes could no longer be of the blonde beauty, Lean would prefer erupted again in laughter. The day was more amusing than he would have expected.
A servant rushed and poured steaming tea in their cups before she withdrew. They were silently sipping their cups. Daphne took the cake as the first one. It was decorated with whipped cream, on top of which sat a cherry for decoration. This drew Daphne out with pointed fingers and wall with a provocative smile on Lean. "This is only a tiny cherry tart, yet part of the eye-catcher. That's what I want to be for you, my prince. Will you free my cherry? "She held out the small fruit between her fingers to her mouth.
She was brave and not the gab what Lean liked, but he shook his head. "Very accommodating, dear Daphne. You'd certainly have an excellent cherry, but my friend Silas sees clearly hungrier than me. Why do not you offer him the sweet fruit on? "
How to command this once knelt before Daphne with open mouth. This narrowed his angry eyes and pushed the cherry rather even in the mouth as to feed Silas. "I'm sure your friend is eating alone in the situation," she countered insolent.
Silas clutched his heart dramatically, as if she had just broken him this. "You would starve a poor man?" He joked and sat down with a piece of cake back to his chair. Almost from the moment he had finished, Daphne turned unusually amiable to him. "I think I've lost one of my gloves in the yard. Would you be so kind and would go look? "She asked with jingling eyelashes.
Silas looked uncertainly at Lean. The Queen had told him to leave the prince for a minute alone with the girl, but Lean nodded. Reluctantly Silas got up and left the hall.
When he was gone, Daphne leaned again to Lean. He saw that her gloves were right behind her. "There are but your gloves!" He said.
She slapped her in mock surprise hands over her mouth. "Oops!" She giggled and put lean a hand on his arm. "Then the poor Silas probably went out for nothing," she grinned and stroked the soft fabric of his shell. Her cheeks were flushed from the fire and in their eyes was an enticing luster. Lean looked back at her impassively. "You are a rascal, Daphne. Is it possible that you wanted to get rid of my friend to be alone with me? "
"You have seen through me, my prince," she replied calmly and moved a little closer to him. "Are you now angry with me?"
He grinned. "A queen should know what they want and sometimes you cannot hurt a little trick."
His words encouraged them to come closer. Now leaning well over two chair backs and Lean was so close that he would only have to lift his hand to touch her face.
"I am pleased that you see as the queen" Daphne whispered. "I always knew what I wanted and so far I've gotten everything I have set myself in the head." Her lips were nourished his, but before she could touch each other, Lean turned to her his cheek, so she instead this kissed his mouth. At the moment Silas came back and cleared his throat loudly. "I hope not to bother!"
Daphne came to answer angry from air.
"I'm sorry, but I have not found your glove. However, You may like to have my ", offered her Silas helpful when he again sat down before the fire.
"I was wrong well," said Daphne, waving her gloves.
"You have sent me nothing in the cold?" Asked Silas. "Do not you think that I deserved for compensation?"
Daphne sent an annoyed look in his direction. "What you have in mind?"
"How about a chaste kiss, as you have given him the prince? "
Daphne watched Lean in the hope that he would some objected, but he only nodded. "Go ahead. Helpfulness should be rewarded always! "
She did not dare to oppose him and so she bent quickly to Silas to kiss him on the cheek, but like Lean he turned just before her lips touched his skin. However, so that her lips for a moment lay on his. Outraged recoiled Daphne and seconds later landed her left hand with a clap on his cheek. "How dare you!" She snapped at him and jumped out of her chair.
Silas lay frightened a hand on his glowing cheek, but just grinning cheekily. "A mistake," he asserted.
Daphne crossed snapped her arms across her chest. "We should ride back to the castle before it gets dark."
Lean also rose from his chair. "You are not only beautiful and strong-willed, but also smart" he teased her naughty and wrapped himself in his cloak. Marriage Daphne knew Silas was already behind her and handed her charming her cloak. She yanked him this indignant from his hands and threw it over him. "Have you allowed enough for today," she hissed at him angrily.
"There?" Silas repeated with raised eyebrows. "I take that as an invitation."
Daphne growled in frustration and stalked out of the hall. Almost from the moment she was out the door, Lean burst into laughter. Silas remembered it.
"You chased and gave me my bride " gasped Lean.
"I would have joy, you recapture them," grinned Silas and followed addition Daphne. They reached the castle to dusk. Lean said goodbye to Daphne with a polite kiss on the hand.
"I'm dreaming of you, my prince," warbled Daphne.
"And I'll dream of you, my impact-resistant beauty" Silas replied to Lean body and leaned over to Daphne, to kiss her again. She backed hastily away from him. "Do not dare again to touch me," she threatened him with a raised finger.
Silas did when she had given him a compliment. "Your voice is music to my ears. Do not worry, tomorrow we'll meet again. "
"If you want you get a beating, you can see me happy," she countered tuff and went.
As Heera saw sitting next morning only Xenia among the elect, they guessed that Celestia and Acelya must have failed at their trials. A glance at the table with the ranking confirmed her suspicions.
Erina
Xenia
Daphne
Heera
Phoibe
Medea
Agnes
Once again asked Heera, who was responsible for the ranking. Created by the Prince alone or in consultation with his parents? She doubted that Queen Niobe would prefer even any other candidate. You might have passed two of the three tests, but that she was still far from suitable bride. It annoyed her that she was still above Medea. She thought she would be willing to put towards the Prince's clearly the last time. He did not understand what trouble she brought it? Medea would now probably not have a word with her anymore.
Although Daphne was now among the top three, they did not seem satisfied. She was afraid like everyone else before they are discussed and appraised Xenia with their curious questions. "What have you had to?"
"I'm not allowed to talk about it," sighed Xenia.
"What had to make Celestia and Acelya?"
"I do not know," she groaned.
"Did you have to fight against wild animals?"
"Daphne, I cannot tell you!", Snarled Xenia now angry. "No matter how many times you ask me!"
"Why not?"
"Do not ask me, but the prince!"
At the moment just walked into the room and saw Lean amused the two girls. He seemed to have overheard their conversation. "What they want to ask me?" He grinned at them naughty, and she blushed at the same time.
"I was just wondering what happened to Celestia and Acelya" admitted Daphne but less imperious than she had previously spoken
with Xenia.
"Both girls are returned safely to their parents," Lean assured them smiling. Daphne got up from her chair and touched him gently on the shoulder. "Prince Lean, I enjoyed the day yesterday with you very much, but I felt we had too little time alone. How about if we carry on today where we stopped yesterday? "
None had so far dared to ask him so directly to a meeting, but Lean seemed Daphne not averse because he smiled. "Certainly, winsome Daphne, but not today." He pushed her hand from his arm and strode purposefully across the room - in front of Medea he made hold.
"Dearest Medea, you promised me a duet with your lark. Does your offer still? "
Medea's eyes lit up with joy before she answered him with a broad smile: ". Whenever you wish, my prince"
"Give me this day," he asked, handing her his hand. Medea took it and while she faced the prince to Heera was happy for them, as if the prince himself asked to spend with him the day - probably even more so.
The prince waited in the carriage in front of the castle for Medea. She was once more disappeared in the room to change their clothes and bring the cage with her lark. Since then, however, been at least half an hour had passed. Lean sighed annoyed. All candidates were pretty enough, so it made no difference to him whether they wore their hair straight or in waves or if they were wearing a blue or green dress. When finally opened the lock doors and stepped out into the snow Medea, her sight took him nevertheless breath. She did not look different than usual, but this effect had been since the first day on him. At her something was magic what drew him completely under her spell. She was wearing a blue cape and holding her hand dangled the golden birdcage. He put on his most charming smile and opened the door of the carriage. Helpful he took the cage out of her hands until they had sat down opposite him. She gave him a disarming smile, which made him forget his impatience.
"Where are we going?" asked Medea excited. In her dark hair melted white snowflakes.
The carriage began to move, but the prince said. "You have brought the poor bird with you out in the cold not without reason, so sing for me"
Fairytale chosen Page 10
