I Woke Up A Princess

~Chapter Two ~

" A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" 

-Lao Tzu

My eyes skim over the last words of the page as the summer breeze blows through my dark thick locks. As i was just about to flick to the next page I hear a throat being cleared , "Yes" I answer. "Your Majesty the royal family of the Kingdom Of Arlene have arrived and your father has requested your presence to greet them". " Alright Susan tell him I will be right there" . She smiles at me and then takes her leave. Damn I thought to myself this is where I will be meeting Nicholas for the first time, who was the man that doomed the fate of poor Anastasia in the book. Well I guess I better get going before Father scolds me.

Me, Mother, Father and all our staff and servants are here at the Gates of The Castle to greet the Hale's.  A beautiful white and gold carriage which is pulled by two white stallions comes to a halt in front of us. Well don't they just exude wealth, if you didn't know already the land on which the Hale family comes from is full of very fertile land which is filled with gold mines. They get their wealth and power from all those mines and from using their vast land, to produce crops. Many lords who hail from that land are known for being very snobby as most are fairly wealthy from there, hopefully it isn't the same case for the royal family. Out steps a beautiful woman with luscious golden locks which look like they have been spun by gold, she has a dainty face with a button nose that gives her a doll like face. She is just breath taking she looks like she could be an angel or even a fairy. A broad and strong man follows after her with rugged looking black hair, one thing I noticed first when looking at him was his crystal blue like eyes, there are hypnotising as if they hold thousands and thousands of secrets. Then last but not least out steps Crown Prince Nicholas, he is the spitting image of his father only he has a more youthful look. He is strikingly attractive as those blue irises assess me.  I feel my cheeks warm which causes him to smirk. What the hell brain why are you being this way. " Welcome King Xavier , Queen Lorena and Prince Nicholas to the Kingdom Of Gallows, we are very honoured that ye have journey this far to visit us". " Nonsense, Thank you for having us!" . This family quite literally look like they have stepped out of a cosmopolitan magazine, they are all stunningly beautiful in their own unique way, the king is quite intimidating. Better not get on his bad side. " We are hosting a ball in your families honour as it has been many years since the Royal families of Hale and Gallows have come  together". Oh god great that means I will have to wear another corset, here we go again.

Susan has just finished doing my hair for the ball, she has it styled in a beautiful half up half down style. My dress is a midnight blue colour, which compliments my skin tone and shows off my figure. " Alright your all set Anastasia , enjoy the ball darling" . " Thanks Susan I will" . As i leave my bedroom I start to walk down the hall to the entrance for the Great Hall. One of the guards stationed at the door Fredrick an old family friend gives me a friendly nod, " You look lovely Anastasia we will go ahead and announce that you are here". " Alright Thank You Fredrick. I can feel the butterflies in my stomach why the hell is this happening, well maybe because this is the first ever ball I have attended in Gallows since I awoke in this world. Okay Anna breathe.    " Her Highness Anastasia Of Gallows" . The doors open and I am blinded by a bright light but I start to ascend the stairs, the room goes silent you could hear a pin drop. All eyes are on me and I feel like the most beautiful girl in the room. I can hear whispers around me but I pay them no notice as this is my chance to show that I am Anastasia and I am not to be fucked with.

Prince Nicholas waits for me near the bottom of the stairs, his eyes fixated on me and drinking me in . " Well if I do say so myself your highness you look simply captivating". He has the nerve to smirk after saying that oh dear god he is so gorgeous what the hell this isn't fair. " You don't look too bad yourself Prince Nicholas" . " Would you please join me for a dance". He wants to dance with me ? , most likely so he can charm me so I won't be able to see through his act. Remember the plan Anna DO NOT FALL FOR HIM, if i do i might end up like Anastasia in the book and I do not want that happening. " Yes I will ".

We are twirling and dancing to the music playing, he keeps making intense eye contact with me which is making me blush that is not the plan. Suddenly I feel a hand encircle my waist and I instantly feel tingles all over my body. What the hell is this feeling. He pulls me closer and whispers in my ear " Wait until you are my queen, then you will forever be mine". His breathe falls down my neck which sends chills down my spine. " Prince Nicholas you may try and charm me or dance me off my feet, but trust me when I say this I will never be yours". With that the music comes to stop and I walk away from Nicholas. I make my way towards the bathroom so I can collect myself. What the hell was that , and what does he mean ' mine forever'. I will tell you one thing now I will never ever fall for his charms.

I will never fall for a corrupt man.