escaping from reality

Madeline

I sighed, standing in front of the closed doors of St. Monica's Cathedral. I knew that on the other side, my future was waiting for me. I smoothed the white embroidered tulle of my dress, before checking that everything was in order with the bouquet.

"Are you nervous? " Max tried to reassure me.

"Not really. I just want to get it over with," I replied sincerely.

I didn't feel nervous, I knew I was just fulfilling the plan we had set out from the beginning, and if possible, I was looking forward to being married. 

The sound of the wedding march rang out, causing me to take a deep breath as the officiant fixed the last details of my appearance before the doors opened. My father offered me his arm, and I plastered my face with my best smile as I took the first step towards my new life.

The temple was packed, the entire court had gathered to witness the union, and the queen herself took pride of place, watching me walk with a pleased expression. I walked with firm steps towards the altar, feeling extraordinary to be the center of all that attention.

Alexander was waiting for me at the aisle, seemingly anxious to get it over with, which made me slow my steps a little just to tease him. But my gaze didn't remain fixed on my future husband for long. 

I searched among those whom no one ever seems to notice for the one person who interested me at that moment. It wasn't long before my gaze met that of Matteo, who stood in his classic pose, wearing the dark uniform of palace security. A discreet smile appeared on his lips, causing my heart to race for the first time that day.

How had I arrived at this point in my life, about to marry one man, when my heart clearly belonged to another? 

Maybe I should go back a bit to find out.

A few months before

The vibrant lights and loud sound of the nightclub we were in enveloped me, as I moved my body to the rhythm of the music, keeping my eyes closed, aware of the attention I was attracting with my dancing, enjoying that rare moment of freedom. Not so rare, actually. It wasn't uncommon for our group to look to the neighboring country for all the fun we couldn't find in our home country.

I felt a presence approaching me, just before I was enveloped by an arm, which pulled me around the waist, moving at the same pace as me.

" I know you're having a good time, but I need your help now," I snorted when I heard Fred's voice in my ear.

Allowing him to lead me back to the set of sofas in the VIP area we occupied in one of Zurich's most exclusive nightclubs.

" Fred, are you serious? " I complained.

" It'll be quick, I promise," he assured me, with a gallant smile on his face.

I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing, I could rarely deny him anything. Fred was handsome and had a natural charm, and he really enjoyed taking advantage of all his physical features that made him so attractive.

" Who's she? " I looked around.

" That one over there, with the blue streaks in her hair " he pointed to a lush girl standing in the middle of a group of women.

" Wow " I widened my eyes.

" I know " Fred agreed with me without looking away from the girl " she's the most beautiful woman here... No offense.”

I looked at the woman's delicate features and her dark eyes, which contrasted well with the vibrant strands of color in her hair.

" I'm going to ignore that offense this time. " I teased him " Why do you need my help? You've never been the shy type.”

" A couple of guys tried it earlier and got an epic dump, I'm not sure if she's not interested in male company and just wants to enjoy the evening with her friends or if they were assholes " my friend explained " if it's the first case, I don't want to get in the way, if it's the second you let me know and I'll take over.”

I mentally sketched out what I would say to the girl, before setting myself in motion.

" Try not to look desperate," I teased him, throwing a glance over my shoulder. 

I walked with confident strides to where the group of girls were gathered, and they gave me a curious look as soon as I approached. 

" Good evening girls, sorry to interrupt, but... well I'll be blunt, I have a friend who thinks you're very pretty, and I was wondering if you'd agree to have a drink with him, I'm Maddie by the way.”

The friends exchanged an amused glance before the woman Fred was interested in spoke up.

" That friend of yours, why isn't he here if he's really interested? " she said back in a suspicious tone.

" He saw that you were talking and he didn't want to interrupt in case it was a female celebration, so he asked for my help," I explained.

From the look on their faces, I knew I was gaining on them, so I decided not to waste any time.

" Come on, you can't deny that he's handsome " I pointed to where Fred was watching us expectantly " a great prince.”

And that was in the literal sense, we all lived in a small country called St Bartholdi, which lay between the borders of Austria, Switzerland and Italy. As well as being very small, our homeland was also completely ruled by the monarchy in the middle of the 21st century, and Fred was third in line to the throne, even though his father had already made it clear that he would not take the crown. 

" Wow, you should have started by showing me who he is," she enthused.

" If he's so good, why aren't you with him? " one of her friends teased me.

" That's because we grew up together and it would practically be incest " I lied.

The truth was that Fred and I had a great friendship with countless benefits, and I couldn't complain, because although I didn't feel anything romantic for him, I couldn't deny that he was incredible at everything he did.

But Johannah, or rather the queen, couldn't dream of that, or she'd lock me in the convent for the rest of my life.

" I'll have a drink, let's see if the reality is as good as the hype " the girl finally decided.

" You won't regret it " I hummed, walking away after making a discreet sign for Fred to come closer.

I looked around for the rest of my group, caught a glimpse of Phillip dancing with Sophie in the crowd, David and Lyna were together at the bar, and in the corner, settled on one of the sofas in the VIP area, Alexander was alone.

I walked over to him, picking up two cocktails from one of the waiters circulating between the tables.

" You look like you need a drink " I held out a glass of blue liquid to him.

Alexander accepted it on instinct, frowning at the vibrant color of the contents of the glass.

"This looks like it could be carcinogenic at the very least, Annie," he muttered suspiciously as I sipped my cocktail without complaint.

I rolled my eyes at that nickname, my full name was Anna Madeline Lechner, it wasn't a name I liked that much, so everyone just called me Maddie. The only people who used my first name were my mother, the queen, and Alex, who seemed to refuse to just use the same nickname as everyone else. And I'd already given up complaining about that.

" Can you not be a complete spoilsport? " I pleaded, sitting down next to him " why are you here alone?” 

" I don't know how you convinced me to do this, I don't want to be here.” 

I rolled my eyes at my friend's words, Alexander was the grandson of Ludwig David Weisman, Duke of Keller, and that made him stand out in every way. In fact, with the exception of David and Lyna, we all belonged in some way to the aristocracy of St Bartholdi, and every time a new scandal involving our group of friends broke out, much to the chagrin of Queen Johannah, who expected us to always set an example for her subjects, especially the younger ones.

" So you prefer to be stuck at court all the time?”

" I didn't say that, I just don't feel comfortable here," Alexander explained with a resigned sigh.

" I know it's a different place for you, but you should take the opportunity, I can introduce you to some girls if you want " I proposed, receiving a tired look in return " So, are you going to dance with me?”

" I'm not going to dance, Annie," Alexander denied.

" In that case, you can watch me dance then.”

I stood up, taking the contents of my glass in a single gulp before returning to the dance floor, leaving him behind.

The night had been incredible, I'd enjoyed every minute of freedom, not caring what the complete strangers around me thought of me.