Chapter 108- Less than 10 hours

(NATALIE'S P.O.V)

After returning to the castle with Prince Morgan, his wife Princess Sylvia and their daughter Princess Kalia. I was told by Lucy, the head maid, that Duchess Mary and Queen Malaysia wanted to see me in one of the castle dressing rooms. I followed behind Lucy until we reached the dressing room on the third floor. When we entered the dressing room, I noticed immediately the various clothing racks with different dresses and designs.

“I'm glad you've returned safely”, I heard Queen Malaysia say. I looked over in her and Duchess Mary's direction.

I watched as Queen Malaysia looked over at Lucy and nodded her head. Suddenly, Lucy snapped her fingers together and instantly I was surrounded by multiple maids.

“Now then, let's find you a dress and some accessories”, Lucy said, “We have less than 10 hours until the debutante begins.” She added.

It took over an hour until I found a dress that looked very similar to the one when I first met Moises.

“I'll wear this one”, I said, as I looked in the mirror.

“It's perfect”, Duchess Mary said.

(CROWN PRINCE ANTONIO'S P.O.V)

I was getting ready to leave my guest room for the meeting with Prince Moises and Duke Winter. When my uncle and Lord Joshua walked into the room.

“Your highness”, Joshua said, as he handed me the gift I had prepared for Princess Sage.

“I hope she likes my gift”, I said, as I looked at Joshua.

“I'm sure she would love it”, my uncle said.

“When are you going to give it to her?”Joshua asked.

“After her ceremony”, I said, “So don't lose it” I said, as I placed it back into Joshua's hand.

After Princess Sage asked me to be her escort for the debutante. I felt that I was one step closer to making her mine. I hope with the gift that I prepared for her, she'll take full advantage of it and make use of it as much as she can.

My thoughts were interrupted when I suddenly remembered something. “Oh right, it's almost time for my meeting with Duke Winter and Prince Moises.” I said.

Thirty minutes later, while I was walking through the hallway of the second floor. I was passing by three people who were conversing amongst themselves and suddenly heard something that caught my attention.

“What?Prince Marshall threatened Princess Sage at the last conference?” I heard someone say. I quickly turned my head in the direction of the woman who was speaking.

“Yes, that bastard threatened her”, The woman said, “He even threatened to find out who helped her escape out of the palace dungeon” , the woman added.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

What the fuck did she just say, I mumbled. I started to walk towards them.

“Palace dungeon?” I said, as I approached them.

The woman and two men turned around in my direction.

“Oh, Prince Antonio”, the woman greeted me.

I think her name was Peyton. I remember her watching Prince Moises and I spar the last time I visited, I thought as I looked at the woman.

“Did you just say, Prince Marshall had Princess Sage in the palace dungeon?” I asked, as I felt the heat flowing through my body, my blood was beginning to boil.

The woman nodded.

I grit my teeth as I turned away from them.

“That piece of shit of a Prince” I mumbled as I made my way to Duke Winters office.

(DUKE WINTER’S P.O.V)

When it became morning, I was suddenly told by Jackson that Peyton, Lord Dean and Sir Dell had returned to the castle.

After Lord Dean and Peyton made their reports and ensured that the young women were going to be safe. They left the office as Moises, Morgan Masiro, and Nathan were walking into the office.

With the debutante and Sage's ceremony being later on tonight. Moises, Masiro and I were devising a plan on how to discreetly watch the aristocratic faction members who will be attending the debutante.

“Our main problem is Prince Marshall. We don't know what he would try to do while attending the debutante.”, I said.

“He won't be able to make a scene while inside of the castle. We'll have to ensure that he doesn't approach Sage or Rosemary while they're alone.” Moises stated.

“I'll have my squad members keep their sights on them throughout the night. Cena and Lexy will be disguised as maids. They will be able to have more access to the ballroom while serving the guests”, Masiro said.

I looked over at Nathan, “Let's disguise Christian as a guard. We don't want him to be bombarded with questions from the noblemen.”, I said.

I looked over at Jackson, “Have one of our shops send over some suits for Moises and some dresses for Natalie.”I said, “Prepare some contact lenses for Christian as well,” I added.

“As you wish, Your grace.”, Jackson said and left the office.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and Masiro walked over to answer it. When he answered it, Prince Antonio entered the office and I could tell he was angry about something.

“Prince Antonio, what seems to be troubling you?” I asked as I noticed the pissed off expression on his face.

“Duke Winter, Prince Moises”, He said, “I must ask, did Prince Marshall have Sage locked up in the palace dungeon?” He suddenly asked.

Ah, right we haven't told him the whole situation involving Sage and Rosemary. We only discussed the border and about him being Sage's destined partner.

“Yes, it's true”, Moises suddenly answered and started to explain everything to Prince Antonio whose expression became even more upset.

I watched as Prince Antonio balled his fist up and grit his teeth as Moises and Nathan told him everything that has happened in the past few months.

“Prince Moises”, Prince Antonio suddenly bowed his head to Moises. “The marriage request, please accept my marriage requests to Sage” he said, “If Prince Marshall tries to bring harm to Sage again. I'll use it as another reason to wage war against him when the time comes” he added.

I watched as Moises stood up and took a step towards Prince Antonio. Moises placed his hand onto Prince Antonio's right shoulder.

“You have my approval but Sage must be the one to accept your marriage request.” Moises said, as he looked directly at Prince Antonio.

“I understand,” Prince Antonio said, as he nodded his head.

Moises and Prince Antonio talked amongst themselves. While Morgan and I went over the final details for Sage's ceremony.

Two hours later, Masiro and Nathan left the office, to inform everyone else who was apart of our plans. While Moises and Morgan conversed about how to deal with Lincoln after the ceremony.

I looked over at the time and realized that it was time for the girls to start getting prepared.

(SAGE'S P.O.V)

It was around 2:00 pm, when everything suddenly became hectic. With the debutante being six hours away. The atmosphere in the castle was a little nerve-wracking to me.

Rosie, Lady Victoria and I were suddenly surrounded by multiple maids and were dragged away to a large bathing room.

“There's no time to waste!” Hannah shouted, as she started to order around the maids.

I was currently sitting inside of a large spa room, with a bath towel wrapped around my body, while soaking in the water filled with flower petals and a sweet aroma.

“Sage”, Rosie said, as she and Lady Victoria were sitting on both sides of me, while getting pampered by the maids.

“Have you thought about what I said?”Rosie suddenly asked.

When I returned to my room last night, after boldly asking Prince Antonio to be my escort. I buried my face into the pillow out of embarrassment.

While I was feeling embarrassed, Rosie and Victoria seemed very amused as they started to laugh and tease me about my boldness.

I still can't believe I did that in front of my father, how embarrassing.

It was at that moment when I realized how powerful the connection is between destined partners. To be drawn and unconsciously captivated by the sight of your partner. It was as if something were taking over my body.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Lady Victoria say “Are you going to accept his marriage request?” Victoria suddenly asked.

I became quiet for a moment, while being deep in thought again.

“I'll have to get to know him more before considering his proposal”, I said, as I looked over at Lady Victoria.

Lady Victoria was about to speak but was interrupted by the loud clapping sound.

“Now then, my ladies” Hannah said, “Let's get started”.

After leaving the bathing room, Rosie, Lady Victoria and I were separated and placed into different dressing rooms, while the maids began to get us ready for the ball.