This is the third chapter to my romance novel, The Greatest Matchmaking Challenge Ever.Please enjoy and reviews are needed! -Esther Sylvester
Chapter 3
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The carriage that was carrying the princess was late to arrive.
Jean tried to remain calm and prayed that the girl hadn’t been scared off before she even got to Maritha. He waited near the castle gate, humming to himself. He liked things to be orderly and on time, but he had grown used to the chaos that ensued whenever there were guests. To keep himself sane, he enjoyed writing down lists on his notepad. Lists calmed him down whenever he was stressed. For example, he had the princess’s visit all planned out on his notes:
1. Greet the princess.
2. Make her feel welcome.
3. Keep her away from Alex as long as humanly possible.
Jean wasn’t feeling particularly confident that Alex would restrain from scaring the poor girl away on her first day. Jean would have to pull out all the stops just to make sure that the princess stayed for dinner, let alone stay long enough to get engaged. Jean sighed and pushed his glasses up his nose.
Just remain patient; he thought to himself, everything is going to be fine. Prince Alex will marry Princess Anita, and they will live happily ever after. I wonder if Alex would name his son after me. That would be unlikely, but nice. I also wonder if…
The sound of the gates opening and the rattle of the arriving carriage jolted Jean out of his thoughts and into reality. He straightened his shirt and put on his best smile. He stood next to the pearly gates and watched in surprise as the carriage bumbled along through the opening, its driver flopping around in his seat. Obviously the driver was new.
The carriage came to a halt right before it ran into the stables. There was only a slight pause before the footman ran over to the carriage door and tried to open it. Clearly the one inside wasn’t one to wait. A girl-whom Jean figured to be the princess-bounded out of the carriage door so quickly one would think her a track runner. She opened the door smartly into the footman’s face, whom afterward promptly fell to the ground on his back. The princess stood and waited for her brother to exit. A tall, well built man exited the carriage gracefully and tactfully. He stood next to his sister and put his hands on his hips, as if waiting for something.
“Please welcome their Highnesses, Princess Anita and Prince Robert of Corin!” a voice shouted from the top of the watch tower. Jean walked over to greet them.
It took all of her etiquette training to restrain Anita from falling to her knees and kissing the ground. That must have been the worst carriage trip she had ever taken in her life. She had barely managed to gain her composure before she realized that she was being watched. She smiled sweetly, as her mother often told her to, and curtsied. She looked around her in awe. The gates which they had passed through were massive, well built, and clean. The garden which surrounded them was brilliantly colorful, with trees and bushes that were in the height of their bloom. She was still looking around when she saw a tall, thin man approach her.
“Hello, Princess Anita. I am Jean Halbet and I will be showing you around this fine estate. If you would be so kind as to follow me.” the man said.
The man did not to seem to notice that he forgot to include Robert in the introduction. He waved his hand for them to follow and walked quickly to the castle doors. Anita tried to keep up the pace, but she found that Jean was an incredibly fast walker.
“I hope you do not find me rude, but could you please slow down your pace?” Anita asked.
Jean stopped and smiled at her and said,
“I apologize, I’m just used to walking to the scene of the crime so quickly that I-“
“Scene of the crime?” Anita interrupted.
“Oh my, did I say that? I apologize. If you would follow me, Princess Anita. Sir Robert, you have been here before. If you would please allow me to show the princess around alone. A servant will show you to your chambers.” Jean said.
Anita had not known that Robert had been to Maritha before. She made a mental note to ask Robert about his visits later. Robert did not seem to mind Jean's words and nodded quickly. He headed off in a direction opposite to the one Anita and Jean were walking. Jean noticed Anita’s worried demeanor.
“Don’t worry, Miss Anita. Your brother has been around these parts more than enough to know his way around. He would have only thought it boring to stay with us,” Jean said.
Anita wasn’t so sure, but she continued walking with Jean into the castle.
The castle was one of the most beautiful places that Anita had ever seen. It was so clean and well kept that she could see her face reflected off of every shiny surface. Jean showed her to the kitchens, the ballroom, and finally the guest room. He opened the door to her room and showed her inside. A large bed with elegant decorations stood in the far corner of the room. The floor was covered in elegant rugs and there was a large window seat facing the garden.
“My, it is quite lovely,” Anita said, “thank you.”
Jean nodded. He walked over to the door and closed it, leaving Jean and Anita inside. His expression looked absolutely grave. Anita felt a little uncomfortable. The whole time she really just wanted to be done with the tour so she could go to her room and rest. She was growing irritable.
“Sir, do you mind leaving? I need to collect my thoughts, which would be difficult with a man staring at me.” Anita said sternly.
Jean laughed.
“Ah, so there is the spunky spirit I have heard so much about. I bet Alex would like that,” Jean said.
“Prince Alex, you mean?” Anita asked.
“The same. Listen Anita..” Jean walked closer to her and lowered the tone of his voice, “As you have heard, there have been some… complications with the last few princesses that have visited Maritha Castle.”
“Ah, you mean the twenty six princesses that Alex scared off with his practical jokes? Believe me, sir, I am not one to run away from things as simple as that. I’m quite sturdy, you know.” Anita said.
Jean smiled weakly.
“So you already know. You would be surprised. Alex has always been excellent at being unreasonable. I just want to advise you to be weary of him for your first days here. I haven’t told anyone about this, but he has some issues with his past that may affect-“
Jean’s words were interrupted with a loud knock on the door.
“Come in!” Anita said.
A wiry servant with a pocked marked face walked in. The servant bowed deeply and motioned to the door.
“If you would be so obliged, the king and the prince are ready for introductions,” the servant said.
“Yes, I am ready.” Anita said.
The servant left. Jean took in a deep breath and smiled brightly at Anita.
“Good luck, Miss Anita! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Jean said in a cheery voice.
Anita frowned.
“I believe I do not need any good luck to handle this,” Anita said. She walked out of the room with a confident air.
Jean frowned and said,
“I suppose it is not a matter of luck so much as it is one of tolerance.”
I like your description of Jean here. He sounds like a really sweet character!
