It had been a little over a week since Prince Nathan's birthday ball, and Ella was still shaken by her encounter with the young man. She was certain he had somehow read her mind, and his presence gave her a strange, familiar, but uncomfortable feeling. Who was this guy?
Ella's thoughts were interrupted when someone entered her room.
"Ella." William settled onto his sister's bed and studied her. "Is something the matter? You didn't come down to breakfast this morning."
Ella cleared her throat and forced a smile. "I'm alright, I just wasn't hungry."
Ella had always been somewhat distant, even from her own family. After the turmoil she had experienced in her past life, she had resolved to limit attachment. Her parents and older brothers were often busy, which made it easier for her to stay distant, but William was always home.
Growing up close in age, William and Ella had a strong bond. No matter how much Ella tried to keep him at arm's length, he would always find a way to be near her. He loved his little sister deeply and enjoyed spending time with her.
Aside from their hair and eye colors, Ella and William looked remarkably alike. People often mistook them for twins, which made William love his sister even more.
"Come on," he said, grabbing her hand. "I'll have the servants bring you a big fruit tart. You've always loved those."
Ella didn't even have a chance to protest; William never took no for an answer. She smiled inwardly, grateful for a brother who cared so much.
*
"My lord," the butler Leon bowed before William. "The prince is here."
William dropped the piece of fruit he was holding and blinked. "The prince?" he repeated, unsure he had heard correctly. "Prince Nathan Aldos? He's here?"
"Yes, my lord. He is outside as we speak," Leon replied.
Ella watched her brother scamper toward the door to greet the prince.
[Argh… royals. What a pain.]
"Your Grace…" William muttered, lowering his back in a deep bow. "Welcome to our humble home. Please, do come in."
"No need," Nathan replied. "I don't mean to impose. I just happened to be passing by and decided to stop by."
"Thank you, Your Grace. We are truly honored. But unfortunately, my father and mother aren't home. I can send for them at once if—"
"No, no need, William." Nathan dismounted and patted William on the shoulder. "This is an informal visit. We're the same age, so why don't we just be friends?"
"F… friends?"
"Yes," Nathan said excitedly. "I don't have many friends my age, and you seem like a bright and fun young man. What do you say?"
"Of course, Your Highness. It would be an honor!" William responded nervously.
"Call me Nathan. Formalities can wait until the adults are around."
William looked at the prince in shock. Was he serious, or just testing him?
"Forgive me, Your Highness. I wouldn't want to be presumptuous," William said.
Nathan draped an arm over William's shoulder, who shifted uncomfortably. "Nonsense. Call me Nathan. Or do I need to make it a royal decree?" he teased.
"Of course not, Your… err, Nathan."
Nathan smiled broadly. He knew that if he was to win Ella, he had to first get close to William. The siblings shared a special bond, and he intended to use it to his advantage.
"I hear you're training to be a knight. That's admirable."
William nodded. "Yes. I wish to protect our country someday."
"Wonderful," Nathan replied. Then he glanced around. "Umm… is your sister around?"
William couldn't help but smile faintly. Ah, so this was why he had come, Ella's brief dance at the ball had clearly left an impression.
"What's the matter?" Nathan asked, noticing the smile. "Do I look funny? Should I change into something a little more flattering?"
"You look fine," William said. "Come in. She's in the dining hall."
Ella had just finished her fruit tart when she saw the two young men approaching.
[Oh… what the hell?]
She stood and met them halfway across the hall. The redhead curtsied, forcing herself to keep her thoughts in check. If Prince Nathan could read her mind at the ball, he might be able to do it again.
"Your Grace," she said, looking up at the silver-haired prince. "I'll take my leave and give you and Young Lord Morrell some privacy."
As Ella turned to leave, William grabbed her shoulder. "Actually, Nathan is here for you, Young Lady Morrell."
There was a slyness in his tone that made Ella uneasy.
[Nathan? Oh, so now you two are suddenly buddies?]
Ella turned to face the two men and forced a polite smile. "I'm honored, Your Grace. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Nathan watched her movements closely. The strange connection he had felt at the ball stirred again.
"Lady Ella, please… call me Nathan," the prince said softly.
William cleared his throat, holding back a grin. "Well, I'll be going now. I have some business to tend to."
[You traitor.]
"Aren't you going to offer me a seat?" Nathan asked, smirking.
"Of course, Prince Nathan. Right this way."
They walked to the library adjacent to the dining area and settled facing each other. Ella avoided Nathan's honey-brown eyes, afraid he might read her mind again.
"I see you're a little uneasy," Nathan said, breaking the silence. "You have no need to fear me. My intentions are pure, I assure you."
"How do I know that?" Ella asked, her voice low and solemn.
"I know I came off strong at the ball. Forgive me," Nathan explained. "From the moment I saw you, I felt a deep connection. I feel we are alike, and that it was destiny that we should meet."
[Destiny? What a load of horse manure.]
"Call it what you may," Nathan said. "But it's no coincidence that our paths crossed."
Ella looked at him in shock. Had he read her mind again?
"I sense you have many questions for me."
Ella gasped. "How…" she paused, carefully considering her words. She couldn't interrogate the crown prince recklessly. One wrong phrase, and her head might be on a pike. "How can you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Just now, and at the ball… it's like you can hear my thoughts. How is that possible?"
Nathan leaned back, looking pensive. Ella's nerves fluttered.
"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "It's never happened before I met you."
He leaned forward, eyes locked on hers.
"What is it?" Ella asked nervously. "Do I have something on my face?"
Nathan chuckled. "No… quite the opposite. Your face is unusually perfect. I was trying to see if you could read my mind as well."
Ella blinked. Read his mind? How could she even attempt that?
"I'm assuming that if I can hear your thoughts, maybe you can hear mine," Nathan said, placing his index fingers on the sides of his head. "Concentrate. Focus on me."
Ella's heart raced. Nathan's face was close, his honey-brown eyes fixed on her blue ones.
"It won't work unless you try, Ella. Come on, give it a go."
She took a deep breath, staring into his eyes. If they truly shared a mystical connection, it wouldn't hurt to try.
{You're so beautiful, Ella. Do you hear me? So very beautiful.}
Ella's eyes widened. His lips hadn't moved, but she could hear his voice in her head.
"It worked!" she gasped. "I… I can hear you!"
Nathan's smile stretched from ear to ear. "I told you Ella. I told you destiny brought us together."
Ehem.
Ella and Nathan turned toward the door. Lady Morrell stood there, covering her smile with a handkerchief.
"Mother!" Ella exclaimed, standing quickly and almost knocking the prince over.
"Lady Morrell," Nathan said, dusting his pants. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."
"Oh, no need, Your Grace," Mrs. Morrell replied. "I wouldn't want to get in the way of young love."
"Mother! We're not in love!" Ella protested. "You're embarrassing the prince!"
Her mother chuckled, turning away. "I'll leave you two be. I'll be in the garden if you need me."
Nathan cleared his throat, looking down to hide the redness creeping onto his face. He had been caught in a very compromising position with Ella, under her roof, definitely not how he wanted his future mother-in-law to remember him.
"I was about to take my leave anyway," he added.
"Oh… then I'll leave you two to your goodbyes," Mrs. Morrell said, smirking as she walked away.
Nathan turned to Ella, smiling sheepishly. "I'm sorry about that. This isn't how I planned it—"
"You said you were about to take your leave, Your Highness," Ella interrupted. She curtsied. "Travel well."
With that, she exited the library.
{I will come and see you again.}
Ella paused for a moment at the doorway, hearing Nathan's voice in her head. She considered turning back—but stopped herself. She had endured more than enough human interaction for one day.