Beneath the surface: Forbidden love
Chapter 2

Marisela

Fourteen hours of flying, the plane finally landed on the island.

Calarrad.

It is a beautiful tropical island surrounded by clear blue water and exotic plantations. The air is warm and sweet. From what mother told me, it's summer throughout the year.

If only I had listened to my mother, I'd have chosen an outfit fit for these weather conditions.

As soon as I got off the private plane, a sleek black Mercedes awaited my arrival. Next to it, stood a tall, well- built, melanin man in a white shirt and black pants. Next to him stood another tall and much bulkier tanned-man, in a similar attire.

Walking up to them, their eyes grew wide for a fraction of a second before straightening themselves upright. The usual reaction I get from strangers. The melanin man introduces himself first.

"Good afternoon Princess, my name is Cory." He gives a breathtaking smile, he points to the other guy beside him, "and this is Victor." Victor just nods his head with an emotionless expression on his green-eyed face. I felt rather intimidated standing in front of them... they were gorgeous... And extremely tall.

"Hello, ." I shake their hands with a smile. "I am Marisela, but please call me Sela." They both nod in understanding

"This-'' Cory points to the car, ''-is your personal car for your stay here, as I am your body guard, I am also your driver to wherever you want to go to on the island. And if I am not around, Victor will be there to help you." I nod a thank you. Cory opens the door for me and waits for me to climb inside while Victor loads my luggage into the car.

''Thank you,'' I smile at them both as they get in the car. Cory in the drivers seat, and a silent Victor sat in the passenger side. Cory winks at me through the rearview mirror, a blush slowly makes it's way on to my face.

''Ready?'' I nod back and smile. Soon we are driving away from the airport.

Through out the drive none of us said a word. Cory would now and again glimpse at me through the rearview mirror and smile briefly before looking back to the road.

Victor was more tense, as if my presence was bothering him.

Well Victor, I don't want to be here either.

The island is even more beautiful, as we neared the city. I noticed how the people here dressed different. The women wore long dresses, with jewellery around their necks and wrists, similar to those of the Roman women. The men were more modernly dressed than the women. It was beautiful and yet different.

It was a city of wide avenues and small places to sit and eat, to relax as folk went about their day.

We drove passed a large Library, and a museum just next to it. The rest were parks and a lot of stores and coffee shops. The city was surrounded with palm trees, a chance to walk among nature or enjoy the trails on bicycles. The city was rich in art, the detailing of the walls of the buildings showed the history of the island.

As we drove out of the city, the ocean became more and more visible. The beachside market buzzes with vibrant energy and the salty tang of the sea. Stalls adorned with colorful canopies stretch along the sandy shore, offering a treasure trove of wares. Sunlight dances on the ocean's surface, casting a warm glow over the bustling scene.

In no time, we neared a large golden gate with a symbol, one could assume was The Royal Family crest.

It was of two wolves howling at each other, it was strange but beautiful nonetheless. The gates opened, revealing a long driveway surrounded by more palm trees. We drove for about a mile before we reached the opening of a humongous, jaw- dropping castle.

The castle was bold on the blue beyond. It stood there as if conjured from the storybook of a child. It was perfect. Every stone was even and square, as if those who built it were set to perfection. They were walls made to protect a community. By the entryway stood a beautiful fountain.

This place was beyond my expectations.

It was only then did I notice a man and woman standing by the door with wide smiles on their faces as they watched us approach the castle. On either side of them, stood two men wearing black suits.

''They are the Kings parents,'' Cory said as if reading my mind.

The Kings parents? but they looked so young!

I hear Victor chuckle to himself as he notices my expression. Now he decides to laugh. I roll my eyes at him even though I knew he couldn't see me.

Stepping out of the car, I stand before them with a small smile. I did notice how wide their eyes went for a second when they saw me, but I ignored it.

The woman has short-blonde hair, that frames her beautiful face, with strikingly blue eyes. The man, has short-dark hair and brown eyes, they were a beautiful couple and looked perfect standing side by side.

Now, on average, I'm tall, but looking at the two people in front of me, I was magnificently small. They were un-naturally tall.

"Welcome to our beautiful home, Calarrad." The man greets with a welcoming smile, "I am Ronaldo, and this," he looks adoringly to the woman beside him, "is my beautiful wife, Rosa." The woman smiles warmly at me.

''Good day your Majesties.'' I bow, ''I am Princess Marisela of Greemalia.'' I introduce myself with a smile.

"Thank you for coming," Rosa smiles, "please come in, you must be tired with all that travelling.''

''It was a long flight, but it was worth it, you have a beautiful Kingdom.'' I tell them making their smiles grow wider.

A beautiful dark skinned girl with long curly hair and hazel eyes walks up to me with a warm smile, and bows, I smile at her in return.

My mouth will freeze with all this smiling.

''This is Maria, she will be your personal handmaiden.'' Rosa introduces. ''She will escort you to your room so you freshen up a bit and we will see you at dinner.''

''We are so sorry to leave you so suddenly, but we must leave urgently, Cory and Maria will help you settle in.'' Ronaldo apologizes. I just nod and wave as I watch them leave the castle.

I am then escorted to my room with Cory ahead of me, and the beautiful girl beside me who I assume is Maria. I follow Cory to my room. We stop at a large door that Cory opened, revealing a large bedroom. They both move aside and let me walk in first.

The room was magnificent. It was filled with bright colors and flowers everywhere, the balcony lead to a beautiful view of the ocean, this made me smile.

The bed lay in the middle of the room. A door on each side. One led to the walk in closet, The other to the ensuit.

Cory brought my bags into the room, thanking him, he smiled, and left, leaving me alone with my hand maiden.

Maria helps me unpack all of my stuff, she told me that dinner will be served in an hour and she and Cory will escort me to the dining hall, where we will meet everyone else, including the King himself.

"Maria?" I call her name an hour later after unpacking the last of my suitcases.

"Luna-" she freezes and quickly corrects herself, "sorry, princess-"

''Please, call me Sela.'' I insist, ignoring her first address. Maria corrects herself again with a slight tinge to her cheeks, "forgive me, Sela" she blushes.

"What do you suppose I wear for the dinner?"

"The Queen mother has asked me to hang dresses that are of our culture if you want to wear any of them, of course, you are not obligated to." She says pointing towards the closet. '' however if you are more comfortable in your own attire, I would suggest a cocktail dress perhaps?" With that she smiles and continued on with her duties.

Seeing as I had an hour to get ready, I decided to take a much needed bubble bath. Jumping out of the tub, I wrapped a towel around my body and walked back into my room. Noticing that Maria had already left, I made my way to the vanity.

My hair, sat in untamed curls just below my ribcage. My grey eyes stared right back at me in the mirror. I decided to leave my hair loose, and put on minimal make-up, some mascara and a red lip colour.

Making my way to the closet, my eyes wandered over the beautifully coloured dresses. My eyes set upon a long flowy white dress with a gold belt and detailing. I decided I'd wear that for dinner. Putting on the dress, I admired how it sat on my body.

It had a slit on either leg, the back was bare. It was beautiful no doubt, and revealed quite a lot of skin, but in an appropriate way. I styled the outfit with a pair of diamond ear-rings. Pleased with my appearance, I walked out onto the balcony taking a deep breath.

The view of the ocean was breathtaking. I could smell the salt in the air. I took these few moments to myself, recollecting my thoughts and letting everything settle in.

deep breaths Marisela.

A few minutes later I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in"

Cory and Maria both enter my room. Their eyes went wide when they took in my appearance. Feeling self conscious about myself I sigh.

"Is something wrong?"

"No!" they yell in unison, I look at them confused.

"You look beautiful Princess." Cory says with a friendly smile.

"Very beautiful Sela." Maria adds with a similar smile and I blush.

"Thank you."

''You ready, Princess?''

''Please Cory, call me Sela,'' I insist, and just like Maria, he looked flustered, Maria laughs quietly to herself.

''you ready Sela?'' he corrects himself with a playful smile and I nod.

I followed them out of the room as they escorted me to the dining hall.

I noticed something that I never took note of before.

"Sorry, but I have to ask... are you two siblings?"

Both look at each other amused by my question, Cory was the first to answer with a smirk, "twins actually, princess"

"Although I'm eight minutes older" Maria adds shoving Cory playfully causing him to roll his eyes. I smile at the two.

"I am surprised you didn't notice earlier, a lot of people do." Cory says and I shrug.

"To be fair, I was on a fourteen hour flight with no sleep."

For some reason, I suddenly felt nervous. And I think Cory and Maria noticed this as they gave each other knowing looks. Maria took my hand in hers. "You look amazing Princess, the Alpha will definitely notice you." I blush as Cory nods in agreement.

If only they knew-but wait, did I hear right?

''I'm sorry did you say Alpha?'' the word sounding foreign on my lips. Both their eyes grew wide like sources.

''Uh..'' Cory looks nervous. ''Yeah, its just a term we refer to him around here, you know?''

''Yeah!'' Maria cut in, ''like an Alpha dog, because he is a king and- ouch!'' Maria glares at Cory who was looking at her as if she had grown another head.

''A dog really, Maria?'' He rolls his eyes at her, Maria blushes and looks away, then clears her throat and looks back at me, ''you look beautiful Princess," she says again, as if trying to divert this weird conversation." Are you ready?'' she nods her head down towards the open hallway.

I wanted to ask them about the king, why he was so secretive, but I knew we were running late so I would have to wait.

Taking another deep breath, I nod. With my hand still in Maria's we continued our walk to the dining hall. As we near the hall, I could hear music and light chatter.

Time to meet the King.

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