Even after what happened between us last night, we still managed to enjoy our time together without getting awkward while he is here in France. He even invited me to go horseback riding with him. I didn't hesitate to accept his invitation because I do want to get to know him more since the last time I can remember sharing memories with him was back when we were still children.

I asked my mother for permission to go for a ride with King Marco. She smiled and then approved our plan to go on horseback. King Charles also saw me when I went to see my mother, so after that he talked to me about my suitor, King Marco. He inquired as to how Marco was and if we were already having a good time, which appears to be correct. We are having a good time together, really. They were glad that we were getting to know each other, but we knew each other when we were kids. We were even best friends back then.

We went to the woods to talk privately as we talked about my party and meeting other highborn men who were willing to court me.

"So Alex, when will you throw your party?"

"Well, we are all planning to have the party tomorrow, so the guests may as well be here by now."

"And that also means that we need to go back to the castle in a while?"

"Uhm, I guess I'm not actually needed there right away, but I will have to accompany them later as they are my guests."

"We should go back in awhile, but first let's go for a race." He smiled. "First to reach the end of the woods?" He added.

"Hah! Fine"

After the race, we went back to the castle at the exact moment that Catherine was searching for me.

"Where have you been, young Alexandra?"

"Uhm, we went riding."

"With who?"

"Marco, I asked permission from my mother and Charles."

"Oh, okay. Some guests are already here, so go upstairs to your room and change. I already sent your servants there to help you get ready. "

"Okay, grandmother."

"Go now! And please be a bit faster when changing. "

I actually ran into my chambers to change and did see some lords and some ladies around the court. I should get ready faster. It'll be embarrassing for me to not accommodate the guests. I was dressed properly, with matching specially made accessories from our country. My mother escorted me downstairs to help me introduce myself personally, even though they already knew me.

"So Alex, many of your suitors are here, and some brought their lords and siblings along with them, so there are a lot of them here now. Some were already accompanied by Claude and Luc, and others were with Charles and Catherine."

"Thank you, mother."

"You're welcome. Shall we go now? "

By the time we came to the hall, there were a bunch of people.

"So there's Prince Markus of Navarre with Lord Vincent."

"I don't like him, and he's still my distant cousin. I don't even want him to have the chance to be near the crown."

"Well, I understand Alex, but he may have good intentions for you."

"Whatever." I mumbled.

"There's Lord Timothy and Lord Christian from our homeland."

"We should ask them what's happening to Scotland while we're here."

"Gentlemen"

"Your Majesties"

"Thank you for being here."

"Our pleasure—for the Princess, my Queen"

"By the way, how's Scotland?"

"All is well, my princess."

"That's good."

"Do please enjoy your stay here in the French Court."

"Thank you, your royal highness."

We left them as we saw Prince Thomas with Archduke Albert of Australia. We went to them and welcomed them here in court.

"Alex, there's Prince Carter and Prince Charles of the Netherlands."

"Oh, the brothers"

Suddenly, King Charles went to us and told us

"If you're planning to go near them"

"I prefer to get to know Carter more than Charles."

"I was told that he was way better than the other"

He laughed and left us.

"Prince Carter and Prince Charles"

"Princess Alexandra, Queen Mary." They bowed

"My great pleasure to meet both of you in person"

"Oh, Chuck. By the way, your majesties, this is our sister, Princess Daniella. "

"Hello, Queen Mary and Princess Alexandra."

"I'm glad you're here with us, young Daniella." Queen Mary said

"Hello, Princess Daniella!" I greeted.

"You may call me Daniella."

"Two of you may get along with each other," Queen Mary said.

"Care to have a look at my chambers later with me, Daniella? I'll show you my dresses from Scotland. "

"Sure, I heard Scotland does have the best clothes." We smiled.

"Please enjoy your stay here, Princes and Princess. We'll leave you here first. "

I hope I'll have a new friend here like Princess Daniella, so I can also get information about which brother is better.

Lord Lukas of France arrived in court. We welcomed him. He might as well have seen me even before because he's a fellow Frenchman.

"Is that Tomas?"

"Ah yes, we should go see him. He's still your cousin. "

"Alex" Tomas greeted

"Oh cousin, you're here."

"Hello, Aunt Mary."

"How are you? I miss France. "

"We missed France too."

"How's Spain? How are Elisabeth and King Philip?

"Spain is actually in a good phase. Mother's a bit frustrating. Shh. How's Scotland? "

"Scotland is doing well too, Tomas."

Catherine went to us while we talked to Tomas.

"Oh, my grandson."

"Grandmother!"

"Catherine"

"Mary, oh good you guys are here!"

"I've been trying to get away with this Lord from Navarre."

"Ah, Lord Vincent"

"Yes, him. You know that I dislike people from Navarre. Especially the Bourbons, "Catherine hissed

"Why? There's a Bourbon here? " He asked.

"Yes, our distant cousin, Markus." I answered.

"Oh, another cousin of ours is here?"

"Mhmm, yup"

"How fun is this?" He sarcastically said

A guard told us Prince Miguel of Portugal had just arrived, as well as Lord Gabriel. We left Tomas there to welcome them together with Catherine.

"Ah, Prince Miguel! Lord Gabriel! Welcome to France" The Queen Mother stated

"Queen Mother— Catherine, Queen Mary, and Princess Alexandra, it's lovely to see you all. We are thankful to be here. "

Lord Gabriel excused himself afterwards because he was too exhausted from their journey to France.

"Prince Miguel, How are you? "

"I am very grateful to be here and also to be welcomed by your majesties."

I almost asked him about Lord Tomas of Portugal, but then I remembered that he was killed by my father. When he attempted to assassinate my father for kissing my mother while she was engaged to him.

"Princess Alexandra, you look very gorgeous with that dress and very fine jewelry. It's perfect for you. The bedazzled look suits you! " He said and pouted.

I looked at my mother and grandmother and just laughed. They told the prince to excuse us, so we left him as he went into the court.

"Was there something wrong? Mother asked

"He's a bit strange." I said

"What do you mean?" She asked again.

"There's something about him. Something is not clear to me. " I answered.

"I don't get it, Alex." Mother said

"You know what I mean."

"Oh I get it, you know, darling." Catherine laughed.

"A man who's very detailed and fascinated by your jewelries, even with your ballgown. I really do know what you're talking about. " She laughed again.

This day was very exhausting, so I want to rest and sleep now. I should ask them if I could go to my chambers already, but before that, where's Marco?

"Mother, have you seen King Marco?"

"No, why? Anything wrong? "

"Nothing, mother. It's just that I haven't seen him since we went riding earlier. "

"Maybe he's only resting. After all, he was here earlier than the others. Maybe he just wanted to let you meet your suitors aside from him. "

"Mother, can I rest already too?"

"Sure, it's been an exhausting day for you."

"Thank you, mother."

I went to my chambers and passed by Marco's chambers. Should I knock?

Ah, nevermind. I don't want to disturb him. I walked inside my chambers and took off my clothes because they were really tight for me to sleep properly. After a warm bath, I immediately went to bed because I missed my bed so much this day.

Then suddenly, I felt slow touches from my arms up to my hair, removing my hair that was covering my neck. I slowly opened my eyes and then felt some kisses on my neck. I was totally awakened by the thought that I was currently alone in my room. I looked at the person—and it was Marco.

"Marco, w-what are you doing? How did you get in here?"

As I look around, "Oh, I forgot to close the door to the balcony."

"I heard you were looking for me? Why so? "

I grabbed him into bed with me as we slept through the night together.