Happily Ever After.....Maybe

Chapter Fifteen

The two brown mares their silky smooth coats shiny in the light of the moonlight as the fancy carved white carriage with gold trim carried us to Kalopsia. Inside the marvelous carriage Tallulah and I sat beside each other on the velvet red cushion. I frowned as I peered out the window at the dark world moving before us. It didn't make sense to me that Dylan would pay for such a nice fancy carriage to bring us to the Prince's party.
Tallulah sighed rather dramatically as I shifted again on the cushion to look out the half circle window of the carriage. "Amaya could you please stop fretting? You should enjoy the evening we're going to a ball!"
I slumped back in the seat if only my father and mother could see me now they would be horrified that I'm not sitting up straight like a proper princess. "I don't get it, why would Dylan send men to fetch us. What if this is actually the Great Wizard kidnapping us?!"
"Dylan is just a really nice polite guy who's madly in love with you if you'll only open your eyes to see it and that's absurd why would the Great Wizard want to kidnap us?"
"He doesn't love me." I wrinkled my nose although I had a feeling she was right. "And I've been kidnap by the Great Wizard before remember?"
"Yes, lets just both promise to leave all our worries and past behind for one night and enjoy the fun alright?" Tallulah begged with her soft brown eyes. "Eeeek! Look there that must be Kalopsia!" The excitement in her voice couldn't hide as she gazed dreamily out the window at the big city we were now entering. Up ahead the shadows of a giant castle with lights in almost every window welcomed us as the carriage came closer and closer.
I smiled at my best friend. Her excitement for a ball made me want to be happy as well. Even if it was just for her sake. I couldn't ruin this night for her. She's a common towns folk who probably hasn't been invited to a party that's near as grand as this. Unlike me who was dragged to party after party that my parents would throw in the Kingdom of Rollick. I may not have a blast tonight, but I'll make sure that Tallulah does.
The carriage slowly came to a complete stop in front of the double wide tan marble staircase. Two guards wearing frilly white whites under a light blue shirt with black pants stood at the bottom of the staircase. The one on the right reached out and opened the carriage door while the other held his hand out first for Tallulah who giddily took his hand and hoped out. He held his hand out for me next. Not wanting to be rude I took his hand and stepped down carefully onto the ground.
Tallulah looked like girl who just realized she was a princess. Her whole face was lit up and her smile on her face was long enough it could be stretch out along the whole staircase for a rug.
"Are you ready?" I asked holding my arm out for her.
She laughed taking my arm as we started ascending the long marble staircase. Halfway up she spoke, "Amaya thank you for coming to the ball and having me come too."
"Of course, you're my best friend there is no one else I would want with me."
"No I mean, I know you didn't come here because you want to dance and see Dylan though I think you guys are perfect for each other. You came here for me, and I appreciate it. You're a princess who is used to fancy parties but me... I've never gone to anything like this except for my brother's wedding when he married the princess and became king but that is different." Tallulah paused as we made it to the top where two more guard in matching light blue suits were waiting for us. They opened the double mahogany doors and we walked inside the castle. "Wow...."  Tallulah whispered.
Big marble tile covered the floor with elegant walls with wood carvings alined with real gold. A giant crystal chandelier hung from the middle ceiling and to the left and right were two white marble staircase with velvet red carpets rolling from the top all the way to the bottom. The staircases curved slightly so if you stood at the bottom of one staircase and looked right across there was the other staircase. Both staircases led upstairs to a balcony and the double mahogany doors that usually would be closed were open. Classical music drifted from the open doors sounding like and cheery.
A servant appeared with a bright smile on her pleasant face, "May I take your attire?"
Tallulah and I handed her are cloaks. As I handed her Dylan's fur cloak I made a mental note in my head to at least see Dylan once tonight and give him back his cloak that he had gave to me on our chilly walk. The servant girl took our cloaks to hang up and we stared up at the big marble staircases where the music drifted down.
Tallulah patted her black curly hair that she had put back tight bun, "Do you think I look okay? What if I'm underdress?" She smoothed out her dark green gown with the black lace trimming the ends of her gown and her v neck.
"Tallulah, you're beautiful and you're no where close to being underdress." I encouraged.
Her coco face paled as she became nervous, "You think I'm overdress then?"
I laughed and grabbed my best friend's hands. "No Tallulah you are perfect." I smiled and gave her a quick hug. Then together we walked up the right staircase, stepping through the open double mahogany doors we found ourselves in a wide hallway with stone walls and torches with fire hung every few feet to guide our path. We followed the music down the hall to another set of double mahogany doors that were opened. There we found ourselves in the biggest ball room I think I've ever seen.
A white marble floor with unique swirls of gold etched into it. The walls were just as elegant as the castle's entrance, with white marble walls that were carved and trimmed more gold. A silver crystal chandelier hung in the center of the dance floor. The full length windows stretched from the ceiling to the floor were stained glass windows. Below the windows was a marble stage where two silver thrones with plush red velvet cushions sat empty. An orchestra stood off to the side of the room playing classical music while all around us people dance women in elegant dresses of every color and men in dark blue or black suits. Servants bustled around with silver trays serving wine and fancy little snacks.
I nodded towards the empty throne, "Well it looks like the prince isn't here party is over." I turned to go.
Tallulah grabbed my bare arm, "Oh no you don't Amaya, he's probably dancing with a girl. You should go dance with him."
"I agree she should dance, but not with him, with me." A deep voice said behind me.
Turning around I about bumped into Dylan himself. He looked rather handsome his short blond hair was parted with more of his hair falling on the right side of his face than his left. He wore a black suit with white gloves, a light blue tie and epaulettes on his shoulders.
"Dylan hi....." I said awkwardly feeling shy. He sure did find me quickly. How did he know I was here?
He grinned at me with that winning smile of his, "I'm so glad you came Amaya, I wasn't sure if you would. But I'm glad you came. Would you like to dance?" He held his glove white hand out to me.
"Well..... I don't want to leave Tallulah all by herself." I hesitated.
Tallulah cut in quickly, "Don't worry about me, I'm going to go track down one of those servants to try all the wine they have to offer." She winked quickly at me before heading off before I could even stop her.
Dylan laughed his hand was still out for me to take.
"I guess one dance wouldn't hurt." I answered taking his hand I let him led me out to the dance floor. He pulled me close to him my left hand in his right hand. His other hand on my waist as I placed my right hand on his left arm. We drifted slowly to the music gazing at each other's face. My eyes caught sight of the empty throne where the prince should be, "It's very rude that your prince hasn't made an appearance to his own party. Isn't this whole party suppose to be for him to pick out a girl to be his queen?"
"Ummm yes.... " Dylan spoke slowly as we moved to the music, then he simply shrugged, "I'm sure he's around here somewhere, probably dancing with a pretty girl somewhere."
I raised my eye brow, "But you don't know for sure where the Prince even is? Aren't you  one of his knights who should know where he is?"
"Of course I know where he is." Dylan took my hand and spun me around before brining me back safely in his arms. Then he nodded to the side where a little ways a man in a creamy white suit and red pants was dancing with a girl in a purple lace gown. "That's the royal highness right over there." He said.
The prince looked rather older "Mmmm, he's not what I thought he would be." I murmured.
Dylan eyed me with his blue eyes, "You seem awful interested in the prince, are you charmed by his good looks and interested in becoming his queen?"
I frowned, "No I.... I'm just curious. I've never heard of his kingdom before."
"Good I'm glad you're not into the prince." He leaned forward till his lips were right by my ear and whispered in my ear, "Because I know someone who's interested in you." His breath was warm on my face and I flushed from the comment.
We continued moving along to the music. After awhile some people started looking over at us, but I didn't know why no did I care. For once I was actually enjoying a party back home the parties and men who insisted on dancing with me would bore me. But dancing in Dylan's arms was a lot of fun. He was great dancer too, not once did he step on my toes, and I felt a little different I wasn't sure what the feeling was........ but I was sure it was the same feeling I had felt once before with Hayden. Could it be happiness? And could Dylan be the way for me to break my curse of unhappiness and finally be free? Before I knew it we had danced not just through one song but many, I was starting to get tired and my feet were getting sore.
"I'm surprised you're allow to be at the party, doesn't the prince need you to guard his castle or something?"
Dylan smiled at me a twinkle in his eyes as he spoke, "Are you trying to get rid of me?"
I flushed a light pink taking over my cheeks, "No.... I just...." I looked away as we swayed to the music.
He continued speaking, "Besides the prince has other knights and guards on duty tonight. So I am all yours." He took my hand and spun me out and around then back into his arms.
My heart pounded in my chest, I felt like I could barely breathe, what was happening to me! The ballroom was filled with dancers but in that very moment I felt like it was just Dylan and me with the lovely music playing in the back ground. I looked into his eyes our lips just inches apart. Suddenly the orchestra stopped playing and the room went silence. Quickly I turned away and glanced at the stage where a man stood in a purple uniform with gold trimming around the wrist and coat. He had a balding head and a pepper red beard. He cleared his throat, "Ladies and Gentlemen the Prince of Kalopsia is pleased to welcome you tonight, now will you raise your glasses and welcome the Prince himself to the stage." The balding guy held his arm out to the side as the orchestra picked up their instruments and played grand music.
Dylan took my hand quickly, while whispering in my ear, "Follow me, there's something I want to show you."
Before I could object he pulled me out a different set of double mahogany doors that were closed and into a stone hallway with long red carpet. I laughed as he pulled me down the hallway, "Wait, Dylan where are we going?"
"You'll see." was his only reply as he led me down the hallway his warm hand in mine. We passed several closed doors and turned many corners. I became lost with what way was which and could only trust Dylan knew where he was going. Somehow we made it out into the twinkling night sky it was dark, but a few torches on the side of the castle lit our way. I could make out that we were in a garden with green trimmed hedges surrounding the garden. I couldn't tell what other trees, bushes, or flowers there were though. Dylan led me through the garden to a marble staircase that led up to a balcony. The staircase railing had a row of twinkling lights all the way up to the balcony.
I shook my head and smiled at him, "We're missing the prince introduction that's quite rude of us don't you think?"
He stood on the steps, "Oh you have all night to meet the prince." for the second time that night he held his hand out for me.
Taking his hand we walked slowly up the smooth marble staircase to the balcony. When we reached the middle of the balcony Dylan stopped and leaned on the railing looking over the garden and the land that fell below us in the twinkling light of the moon. I looked behind us at large glass double doors with windows. Inside I could clearly see people dancing in the same ballroom we had left moments ago.
I turned back to Dylan and eyed him, leaning into him I whispered, "So you led me through twist and turns in a giant castle and through a large royal garden just to come to a balcony that we could have gotten to from the ballroom?"
"What can I say, I like a sense of adventure and excitement. Wasn't that exciting?" He smiled down at me the moonlight played in his blond hair making him look handsome.
Laughing I looked out at the beautiful night's sky, "You are something else, Dylan."  I looked back at him and we shared a smile before turning once more to look at the sensory as we leaned on the balcony's marble railing. If we were quiet enough I could just faintly hear the music playing in the ballroom.
"Kalopsia is so beautiful..... It's like it should be a picture in a fairytale book." I murmured.
I could feel Dylan's body heat as his arm rested on the railing next to mine, "Do you ever imagine what it would be like to be Queen of a place like this?"
Oh if he only knew that I used to be an actual princess and did dream of being queen! Instead I snorted with laughter and answered, "No."
He elbowed me playfully, "Oh come on, I bet you'll be a terrific Queen."
"Stop." I blushed from his comment and brushed back a lose blond curl that had fell into my face.
"I mean it." He insisted, "You already pull off the princess in five inch heels."
I stiffened my blood going cold. When Hayden and I first meet that's what he would call me to irritate me, then it became an inside joke between just the two of us. Why would Dylan use the exact same phrase just now? My mind wheeling with questions I spoke, "What did you just say?"
"You know....." Dylan paused the spoke, "It's just you're wearing a beautiful gown like what a princess will wear and don't all princesses wear ridiculous high heel shoes? You just remind me of a princess."
I held my breath, could it be? No, of course it couldn't.... Hayden was gone, dead to this world and should be dead to me. It's been a month and a half since he died. Just because Dylan said the exact same words Hayden did, doesn't mean that Hayden is Dylan in another life. I mean that would be crazy talk! But still I couldn't help but wonder.... I had read so many books in my father's kingdom. Books that talked about so many things from dragons, to mystical creatures, enchanted forests, to even books that said that some believe when a person dies from this world their souls or bodies go into another living person. It sounds creepy, but also a little comforting.... If I could just know that somewhere Hayden was still out there and could be with me even if it was in a different body.
He looked at me concerned, "You okay?"
Shaking my head I cleared my thoughts and brought myself back to this beautiful city and balcony. "Yeah, I'm fine." I managed a smile and sighed as I leaned on the cold railing.
Dylan closed his eyes, "Amaya, there's something I have to tell." He opened his eyes and gazed at me with his deep blue eyes. He took both my hands in his.
I stared up at him even with my five inch heels on he still managed to be a head taller than me.
Slowly he spoke a gentle sound to his voice as he meant every word, "Amaya, when I rescued you not long ago outside the Enchanted Forest you changed me...."
Correcting him I cut him off, "Actually you saved my horse Tobias, not me....."
He laughed, "Fine, I saved Tobias, but let me explain please." He rubbed my fingers with his as he looked at my hands before looking again into my eyes, "You changed me, you made me want to be a better person, and that's why I have to ask you....." Dylan knelt down on one knee right there on the balcony.
I'm pretty sure my heart dropped out of my body and rolled down the stairs at that moment, was he seriously going to ask for my hand in marriage at the prince's celebrate to find a queen to wed?! He had to be out of his mind! "Dylan what are you doing?!" Nervously I glanced towards the ballroom with all the people dancing hoping they haven't seen what was happening out on the balcony. I glanced back at Dylan who was still bending down on one knee holding my hand.
"Amaya, I'm asking you for your hand in marriage. Will you marry me?"
"What! Nooo stand up you can't do this here!" I hissed pulling my hand free I grabbed the collar of his suit trying to pull him up into a standing position myself.
Dylan stood up abruptly a little bit confused, "Why not?"
"Why not? I'll tell you why not! This is a party for your Prince of Kalopsia who is having this whole party to find a girl to wed to become his Queen! This is suppose to be about him and his party you can't just ask me to marry you and take the spot light from them! You are one of his most trusted knights! Where is your loyalty to him?!" I rambled so fast my face heated with embarrassment.
He chuckled clearing finding this whole thing amusing.
I frowned, "What's so funny?"
"Sure I can have loyalty to myself." He said still laughing.
"What on earth are you talking about?" I sputtered still mind blown that Sir Dylan had proposed to me at the Prince's ball and was now laughing over something he clearly thought was so funny.
He smiled at me, "Amaya, there's something I have to confess. I haven't been completely honest with you, about who I am."
I shook my head lost. "What do you mean? You're Sir Dylan a Knight from the Kingdom of Kalopsia."
Dylan winced, "Not exactly..........." He glanced around as if trying to find the best way to tell me.
Stepping back from him I felt as if the whole ground had been swiped from under me, "You're not Sir Dylan?" The balcony started to spin and I grabbed the railing for support.
He reached out for me but I pulled away, "No... I mean yes my name is still Dylan, but I'm not a knight...."
"Then who in bloody's name are you?!" I demanded.
"I'm Prince Dylan of Kalopsia."
His words hit me like a stone wall. I could sense I was falling, but I wasn't in control of my body anymore I crumpled to the ground. My knees hitting the cold marble balcony as  the Dylan I thought I knew grabbed my arm.