While I was completing my night study session, the butler knocked on my room.
"It's me Gomes. May I come in, Your Highness"
"Yes, come in"
"Your Highness, His Highness the Grand Duke seeks your presence"
"Now?"
"Yes, your Highness"
"I see. Let's go then"
"Please follow me, Your Highness"
Then I Followed the butler to the living quarter of my father.
The butler knocked on the door.
"It's me, Your Highness. I have arrived with His Highness Prince Conrad"
"Let him come in"
"Yes, Your Highness"
The butler opened the door for me.
As I entered, I saw my father sitting at his study table. After he saw said in a commanding tone.
"I am proceeding your engagement with Catalina Feliz Mandrake. She will be coming our estate in 2 days. She will be staying here for few days. Then, you will be going to the academy together and your accommodations will be arranged accordingly. I will announce your engagement once she arrives at the estate. So, behave accordingly"
There was no room for objection in his tone. I already knew this outcome but I still felt dejected knowing that I don't have a say in this.
"Yes, Father"
"Ok then, go rest now. It had been a hectic day for you."
After nodding to him, I left his quarter.
Then, the day of Catalina's arrive came. I along with Sylvia and Gomes went to the entrance to welcome her to the estate.
As the carriage arrive in the entrance, I stepped ahead to help Catalina. After helping her out of the carriage, I welcomed her to the estate.
"Welcome to the Vortigern estate Lady Catalina. Please follow me"
I then lead Catalina to her prepared accommodation and introduced Catalina to Gomas and Sylvia.
"I hope it is to your liking Lady Catalina. This is our family butler Gomas and this is my personal maid Sylvia"
Gomas and Sylvia slight bowed to Catalina.
"If you have any problem or if you want anything, you tell him or me or Sylvia. You must be very tired of the long journey. Please rest well."
After settle Catalina in the estate, I left and went through my schedules for the day.
After The day's schedule, I went to Catalina's quarter to call her for dinner. I knocked on the door and Catalina's personal maid opened the door.
"Greeting, Your Highness"
"Hello, I am here to call Lady Catalina for dinner."
"Oh yes, Your Highness. Please spare us a moment, Lady Catalina will be ready in a moment"
"Of course, I will wait outside for her then"
"Thank you, Your Highness"
Then she again went inside the room. After some time, the door opened and Catalina came out from the room prepared.
"Sorry for the wait, Your Highness"
"No, it no problem"
After the initial pleasantries, I lead her to the dinning hall. As I went inside of the dinning hall, I saw my father and brother were already at the dining table. Seeing us arrive, father first spoke.
"Come sit. Gomas, please start serving the dishes"
We sat at the dining table. After we sat down, father enquired about Catalina's stay in the estate.
"So, Lady Catalina, did you had any problems settling in?"
"No, Your Highness. His Highness Prince Conrad helped me very much. I had no problem settling. Thank you for your concern"
"I see. If you have any problem, feel free to ask of Conrad"
"I will, Your Highness"
After that we continued to dine and occasionally having chats with each other. After finishing dinner, I walked Catalina to her room.
"Thank you for walking me to my room, Your Highness"
"It's my pleasure"
"I have some free time tomorrow. If you like lady Catalina, would you like to have a tour of the city with me?"
"Of course, Your Highness"
"Then I will see you tomorrow. Good night lady Catalina"
"Good night, Your Highness"
I went back to my room and asked Sylvia to free up some time of my tomorrow's schedule for Catalina and prepare accordingly.
Then for next few days, I jumped from my daily lessons and spending times with Catalina.
Finally, the day before we leave for the capital city Vinswin came. I was having evening tea with Catalina in the estate garden.
"We will be leaving tomorrow. How is your preparation, lady Catalina?"
After spending time with each other for these few days, we can converse very comfortably now.
"I prepared everything for the journey tomorrow. How is your preparation, Your Highness"
"Same for me too. By the way, lady Catalina since we are already engaged and are to be married please feel free to call me just Conrad when it's just the two of us"
"Would that be appropriate, Your Highness?"
"Please, I insist"
"If you insist, then I will oblige. Please call just Catalina from now"
"Of course, Catalina"
After that we engage in bit more conversation and retired to our rooms.
Then the day to leave for the capital city came. I will only be taking Sylvia with me as my attendant. With enough preparation, we were ready for the departure. We took two carriages with us, Catalina and me were in a carriage and, the Sylvia and Catalina's personal maid in another carriage.