To Be a Princess

To Be Chosen

I swallowed as this mans hands began to roam farther down my back. I gave him a tight smile.

"Time to gather! The Choosing is about to begin. All eligable young women to the left, men to the right." I let out a breath I didnt know id been holding in.

"You're my first choice." The guy said and his breath stank of some unearthy scent. I just stared at him.

"You look mighty entertained." I heard a voice next to me say my head jerked, but I soon realized they werent talking to me.

"It appears every man in this room wants the girl in the red dress." The black silk masked prince said, my hero. My cheeks flushed.

"Except you, right? I mean you and Ella have been meant since day one." His friends smirked. "Besides we know who the real man here is. Let me pick her."

My heart thudded. I had had hope. It was now shattered. Him pick me. How idiotic of me. He had a girl. I was going to get feelsy, stinky, or spoiled and so far none of them were acceptable at all. His eyes found mine and I quickly looked away. I felt lied to.

"Here are the rules. Prince's pick their favorite lady of the evening and they will be their date for the rest of the night and after that they owe their chosen one an actual date. If you have a second date after the first you will become quarted. Those are the rules. We begin with the host, my son." The queen started the evening.

"Prince Collin Raphael Hughes." The announcer said. My silk masked savior stepped forward. I stared at my feet refusing to see the beautiful girl he chose over me. Gasps erupted as he chose his lady and suddenly a hand was in front of me.

"Sophie Marie Leclair." The announcer declared. My heart was racing and I felt myself shiver.

"Dance with me." He whispered and my eyes shot up to his. Slowly I took his hand in mine and a few sighs sounded. He pulled me close and his cheek rested lightly against my head. We didn't speak for a few minutes.

"Sophie, huh?" He said with a smile.

"Collin, huh?" I said back.

"Cole, if you would." He corrected and my cheeks flamed.

"Of course."

"Sophie." He whispered and my skin tingled as he intertwined our fingers again. My skin felt warm everywhere he touched. "There was no doubt in me that it would be you." I pulled back trying to see his face.

"You've saved me three times now." I whispered to him and he smirked.

"And plenty more times for sure. You're such a damsal in distress." He teased and I laughed.

"Oh my stars and her laugh is just as beautiful!" He smiled at me giggling and spun me swinging me back in to dip me as the song ended. He brought his lips to my neck and I held onto him. He was so fun and so soft with me.

"I'm so glad you picked me." I said standing on my tip toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Im excited for our date."

"Oh we're not done yet.." He said and he pulled me back in. "You know every guy in this room right now is jealous me." He said softly. My nerves shot.

"So that's why you picked me. To flaunt me to all your friends?" I said angrily. He froze staring into my eyes feeling as if he were reading my soul.

"No. I dont want any of them getting to you." Cole said softly soothing me. "I saw the way they looked at you, danced with you." His grip tightened protectively and I turned away from him, pleased with his reaction.

"Oh." I said and I blushed. He cared because he felt protective of me.

"But if course if you would like to dance with someone else..." I quickly looked up at him. This idea bothered him and yet for me he would let me. I tucked my head against his shoulder.

"Here is good." I said and his arms softened around me and I felt his breath exhale.

"So... does that mean you didn't have a choice preference?" He was forcing these questions yet unable to stop from asking them.

"No. Not other than you." I said softly and the song changed to a slow dance. This forced us to make eye contact. He wrapped both arms ariund my waist easily and I clasped my fingers around his neck. I studied his features and he mine. He suddenly smiled, letting out a half laugh.

"You... you just make me feel some sort of way. I can't name it, nor could I ever create words to explain it." He looked back at me again.

"Most would call it attraction." I said smirking.

He shook his head. "I would dare to say fate."

"Collin?"