The Prince (Harry Styles)

Chapter 22

That same weekend, the Ula festival began. The entirety of the castle began to grow in a festive mood. Everyone was happy and I'm sure it was the fact that the festival was beginning. According to Gemma and Harry, the festival lasts from this Saturday through the following Sunday. A whole week of happy people sounds like the greatest thing on earth. Hell, even Priscilla is happy. As we all know, Priscilla isn't the happiest of people.

This morning I was awoken earlier than normal to get dressed because we, meaning the royal family and I, were going somewhere. I wasn't completely sure where "somewhere" was, but it had to be something for the festival. I was excited for whatever was thrown at me. 

Trish and her daughters gave me an off white mid-calf length dress. The collar was just under my neck and curved down hanging low on my shoulders. It was pretty and the skirt reminded me of the one I wore yesterday, only thicker. The fabric of my dresses were beginning to become a thicker material in order to accommodate the cold weather coming into Ula.

"Good morning, Emerald," Queen Anne smiled at me as I entered the dining room for breakfast. It was weird eating breakfast with the whole family opposed to just Harry.

"Morning, Queen Anne," I smiled as a butler pulled out my chair and allowed me to take a seat in my usual spot. "You look lovely."

"Thank you, your dress looks gorgeous. White suits you," she smiled to me as she picked up her cup of tea. "Gemma was a struggle to get out of bed this morning I heard. She stayed up late reading last night is what I heard."

"I think those books need to come out of her room," I laughed putting three spoonfuls of sugar into my cup of tea. "This seems to happen more and more I've noticed."

"It has," Queen Anne nodded. "Morning Harry."

"Morning Mum," he said kissing her cheek. "Morning Emerald," he stated as I leaned up as he leaned down pecking my lips gently. I still felt awkward kissing him in front of his mother.

"Ready to go to St. Mary's today?" She asked us as Harry settled into the seat next to me. 

"St. Mary's?" I asked, confusion writing itself on my face.

"At the start of the festival we go and spend some time with ill children. So sad," Queen Anne said. "I know it doesn't really help their conditions, but it puts a smile on their face."

I nodded silently, not quite sure what to say to the subject. Visiting sick children during such a joyous festival didn't exactly seem ideal. It seemed more sad than anything. I was more excited to spend the rest of my day talking with Harry and enjoying all of the festivities. Since I was told about the festival, I was excited to be a part of it for the first time in my life. 

"It's fun," Harry assured me placing his hand on my thigh. "The children are always the sweetest people, they are up for anything."

"Unless they are too sick," his mother reminded him as she sipped at her morning tea. I felt Harry's arm wrap around my back, his forearm resting on the back of my chair. 

"What are you doing?" I asked, turning to him.

"What? I can't put my arm on the back of your chair? Fine," he said taking it off. I grabbed  his wrist with a smile and pulled it back around me. "I see how it is."

"Hmmm, what would that be?" I asked with a hum.

"You can't keep your hands off me," he smirked.

"That is far from the truth," I told him. "I can so keep my hands to myself."

"Yeah, because I believe that," he laughed as I hid my face in my hands. His head rested against my shoulder as he laughed. I looked at him with a kind smile on my face.