Chapter 3

Odette stormed through the castle. Her dainty feet, however, were light on the carpets so no one could really hear the anger in her step.

"Stupid BOW AND ARROW!" She said harshly under her breath, "Stupid boy for teasing me!" She flicked her hair plat hard behind her shoulder as she declared loudly now for the whole castle to hear – if they thought it was worth listening to.

"STUPID PRINCE DEREK!"

"He's just a boy, princess."

Odette paused in her tantrum, looking around for who said that. But she could see no royals or servants and uttered out a bit frightened and concerned now.

"W-who said that?"

She heard a smirk beside her, and she glanced her eyes up, seeing her face being reflected back to her from some metal of an armour suit.

Her eyes widened slowly as she began to gaze up and she bit her lip nervously, her eyes dilating when she saw the handsome face of a royal guard.

"Y-yes," Odette replied back to him nervously, trying to hold herself in a calm royal composure with her stance, "He IS just a boy."

"He's honestly not that bad though, Your Highness," The guard went on with a small laugh, but Odette frowned heavily when she heard these words, "You just have to beat him at his own game..."

"Or..." Odette said quietly to herself, holding her chin with her hand as she stood there tensely and thought these words over, "Maybe at my own game. SAY-!" She suddenly shouted with delight and looked back up at the tall regal guard, "You must know a lot about Derek."

The guard smiled, nodding his head confidently as he added, "I do,"

"Do share," Odette said to him, bopping her eyebrows flirtatiously, "I'd LOVE to know what Derek is good at," He smiled wider at her, blushing lightly but because of his beard and metal helmet Odette couldn't see his face, "And also... what his BAD at."

~x~

Derek, himself, was also still in a bad mood in the forest as he had missed every deer he shot at, and couldn't even nip a rabbit to finish his hunting day off.

Of course, none of this was HIS fault. No, no, no! It was ODETTE'S for distracting him so much that she had completely thrown off his game!

If Derek even had game, he imagined Odette teasing to him harshly.

Oh! He just hated that princess SO MUCH!

It was just him and Bromley who were walking the track back to the royal courts, and Derek was almost completely silent. His arms were swinging hard by his sides and his eyebrows were creased together in a bad and angry expression.

"Derek, would YOU just calm down!" Bromley said to him, laughing at this all, "I normally WOULD blame Odette too. But you had an extra TWO hours to hunt. I just don't think you are ready for it yet."

"ME?" Derek snapped, flicking his eyes at Bromley, his hair flinging with his bangs and he grabbed Bromley then by his shirt, making his friend look him in the eyes, "ME?! IT'S ODETTE!"

"Me thinks," Bromley said nervously, trembling a bit as he pushed Derek away and the prince forcefully removed his grip, "You're a little paranoid over her."

"HA!" Derek forced an angry laugh. The two finally reached the castle and Bromley nervously followed Derek into it, the prince deciding to just go to his room and be over this day already.

But THAT couldn't be, for the moment he was storming through the hall, he heard the most beautiful sound in the world.

A soft warm laughing.

And it sounded so pretty, his mood, for a moment, actually turned calm, and he himself was somehow hypnotized by the voice.

He quickly turned and followed the inviting laughter, but Bromley tried to catch up to him as his friend insisted.

"Just ignore her, Derek! She's just trying to get on your nerves!"

"Who..?" Derek said dreamily, and floated on his feet over to the guard, and the pretty blonde he was entertaining.

But the minute he saw the blonde's plat swish behind her neck and reveal the side of her pretty face, Derek paused himself, almost disgusted.

Odette?! He thought to himself then. HOW could Odette's laughter be so enchanting right this moment..? but her laugh so irritating and cold when with him!

He only remained behind her by a few steps, gawking at the princess, with such confusion in himself.

The knight seemed to realize his presence that second, and straightened up, looking right at the prince as he stuttered out.

"Your HIGHNESS!"

"You don't have to keep calling me that," Odette giggled at him, placing her hand on his upper metal armoured arm, "Just Princess Odette will do."

The guard smiled awkwardly to her, clearing his throat suddenly as he bounced his eyes over away from her to the prince, and Odette looked at him confused, before also turning to look at the person he was indicating to.

Derek.

And he was NOT happy.

No... in fact, he was more enraged.

"Shouldn't you be WORKING, guard?"

"Yes, sir!" The guard responded back instantly, bouncing into a stiff straight position and Odette glared at Derek for being so strict over nothing.

"He was entertaining ME." She said coldly back to the prince, folding her petite arms tightly and Derek leant towards her, glaring straight back at her as he muttered.

"And that was all?"

He seemed so smug in himself that moment, and Odette glared right at him, her angry emotions simmering deep inside as she did not want to blow up at Derek in front of this handsome guard.

He'd almost think she was as crass as the prince IF SHE DID.

In that moment, the prince and princess couldn't keep their eyes off of one another – but not for romantic reasons... no, if they could, and if the law allowed – they would've murdered one another right then, right now.

"Ah!"

Their bodies were still tense when King William walked their way and thought unknowingly that the two were caught in lovers' gaze.

"Can't keep your eyes off each other!"

The second this was said, Derek's jaw dropped open like a heavy stone. Odette's eyes widened in disgust and she flinched away from her betrothed enemy before hissing coldly back to him.

"See you at dinner, Prince Derek..."

Derek wished he could blow up her head that moment. If he thought about it too hard, maybe it would explode. He tightened up, though, when King William placed his hand on his shoulder and shook Derek playfully as the king continued.

"I think she's starting to LIKE you!"

"Ha!" Derek laughed hard, thinking the king was telling some joke or something. However, when he looked at William, Derek quickly straightened up. He put his hands behind his back and the king nudged his own head, asking without words for Derek to walk with him.

"How are things with you and Odette going?"

"Um..." Derek said back, not really knowing how to respond, "...okay, I guess?"

"Y'know, Derek," The king continued, not picking up the hesitancy in the prince's voice, "Odette LOVES chess."

"Hmm?" Derek murmured, indicating he was listening, but really, he just wished he could leave this conversation.

"But she never has anyone to play with besides me."

"Yeah?"

"Maybe, someday soon.. you might play a game... with her?"

Oh boy...

What the king was asking him was very heavy on Derek's heart.

The prince knew the basics of chess, but he did not want to be humiliated again like he was with cards last night.

"So...?"

"I just need a bit of practice, really..." Derek said slowly, rubbing his upper arm nervously to act like he had no confidence in his ability. Something about King William bought out the more humble side of Derek... gave him just a bit of humility...

"Say!" The king said suddenly in delight and shook Derek eagerly, "You can practice with me!"

"You...?" Derek gulped back afraid.

"It's a date!" King William proclaimed and took a grip of Derek's shoulders as he told the prince excitedly, "Come to my room after dinner and we'll have a few matches-"

"-BUT!"

"Wonderful!" The king went on, most pleased at his idea. He then ruffled up Derek's brown locks and left the boy, the old man skipping away in joy.

Derek only watched King William leave, the prince's expression befuddled before he quickly used his fingers to fix up his hair and only sighed heavily.

King William had always been like a father figure to him. Dare Derek even say... he respected the king immensely.

It was only the king's daughter that Derek despised.

But maybe he should take the king up on his offer. It would be beyond great beating Odette at a game, and not only that... her FAVOURITE game.

Just like how SHE had ruined poker for HIM.

Bromley had stayed near hearing distance and strolled casually over to Derek, saying as he stood beside him and watched the king turn a corner and leave.

"This is GOLD."

Derek blinked surprised, looking at Bromley and asking with his gaze, why his best friend said that... maybe Bromley and he were on the same wavelength.

"Tonight, you beat Odette at poker, then when you're good enough, you POUND her at her favourite game and you SHOW her who's BEST and who's BOSS!"

"Yeah..." Derek replied a little nervously, rubbing his upper arm again as he thought over this plan. But something didn't sit right with him.

He really did respect King William. He was the closest thing he had to a father... and Odette...

Oh, how he despised Odette with such a passion.

He honestly didn't know what to do, before uttering out as he gazed at Odette flirting with the guard again. His teeth grinding.

"No cards tonight though..."

Bromley looked at Derek confused, asking, "Huh?!"

"No... I'm going to beat her at her own game..."

"Chess?"

"Yes... and also-"

"Also?"

"Her mind games..." He glared ahead at the guard and her and his fists clenched together hard before he turned away and went to the dinner quarters, "See you tomorrow, Bromley."

"Bye..?" Bromley replied back, not knowing what else to do. He gave a quick wave at Derek who nodded to him and Bromley strolled away.

But as he was passing Odette and the guard, he looked up at the tall man and added.

"Sorry, mate. But she's BETROTHED." Odette gripped her hands into fists at Bromley's rude words, "So, you either get royal blood... or you get executed."

The guard's eyes opened fast, as he sprung back up into a straight orderly position and Odette slammed her hands to her hips, glaring at Bromley and asking the teenager commoner coldly.

"Is that all, peasant?"

"Yup!" Bromley chimed, winking at her and she went heatedly pink in her cheeks. He walked off with a bounce in his step, and Odette just rolled her pretty eyes, before looking down the long hall and seeing there were still many, many other tall handsome guards.

Men who WANTED to listen to her... men who gave her respect and honour.

Yet, she was STUCK with Derek. STUCK WITH DEREK!

A fate she couldn't avoid.

So why not just have some fun right now? Marriage was still very far away, and these handsome honourable men were here, RIGHT NOW.

"Talk to you again soon, um-?"

She couldn't believe she didn't know the name of this guard she had been talking to for more than thirty minutes now.

"David,"

"Sir, David..." She said politely with a small smile growing up her mouth, "Always remain noble... even if your prince isn't."

David stood straight, looking forward into nothing, and Odette only humpthed, looking away as she saw the reason why the guard had done this.

Queen Uberta was passing by, her long royal dress dragging behind her like a veil. Odette surmised that this was because Uberta wasn't going to leave the castle today, so had no fear of dust.

"Odette," The queen then said to her, and the princess straightened up, curtsying before replying.

"Yes, Uberta?"

"I'd like to talk to you about something..."

"Oh, yes?" Odette asked, her voice even weaker now.

"Yes... about you, and-"

"And?"

"About Derek."

"Okay," Odette said, weaker still in her reply.

"After dinner, dear," Uberta continued, and winked at the princess, "Tonight, however, we are going to have a real feast!"

"Lovely," The princess said back with a fake smile and watched as the queen sauntered by, leaving the scene and Odette walked up to the guard David again, tracing her finger across his chest armour and saying.

"Our talk was lovely, David... I'll see you again soon."

The guard seemed to be sweating under his armour and he said with a nervous laugh.

"You're going to get me beheaded, Princess Odette."

"And am I worth it?" She asked with a cheeky grin and he stiffened up, before turning away and keeping his stare steady and strong.

"I see," Odette uttered, and walked off.

The bells of the castle began to chime now to announce it was dinner time and the princess and prince met each other at the doors to the room.

"Prince Derek," Odette curtsied.

"Princess Odette!" Derek snapped.

What the two thought just then would surprise them both if they knew it was the same thought.

I am going to beat you at your own game...

The thing being, the two didn't know how different the other's game truly was.

But they would find out soon.

So very soon.