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I just stared in the mirror at myself my dirty hair had been washed and groomed. Now that it wasn't knotted it sat in a pile on the floor all still attached mind you. The Prince had a pure white gown fashioned for me and it was beautiful. Although I felt like I was getting married, I was happy. Cortia finished straightening out the bottom of the dress and then stood up. Her face lit up a huge grin plastered in the middle. She nodded her head seeming satisfied with her work.
"Do you like it, Miss?" She asked nervously.
"Like it? Cortia I absolutely love it! It's beautiful." I said twirling.
She smiled, relief visibly washing over her. I stepped down from the small stage walking around it and hugged her. She seemed taken back at first, but eventually, she hugged me back.
"Are you ready for the party Miss?" she asked quickly tying my hair into a high ponytail curling it to try to take away from the length a little. It worked if only to a small degree my hair no longer dragged along after me consistently and my dress came with a train so my hair never touched the ground.
"Petrified is more like it. Cortia what if they don't like me?"
"Miss I believe that they will love you."
I smile, hug her one more time, and walk out the door. The guard stares at me for what seems like ages before I clear my throat and he snaps back to attention. He leads me down a long corridor and a few turns later we arrive at a large door where Sir Anthony, who I found out was the Prince, was waiting.
~~~~~~~~~FLASHBACK~~~~~~~~~~ I cried into his chest as he carried me back up to his room. When we got there he sat me on his bed and wiped away my tears. I looked into his beautiful blue eyes and couldn't help but want to climb onto his lap and hug him. I fought back the urge realizing something.
"Anthony?"
"Yes, princeps mea."
Although I didn't know what it meant it still made me smile. I took a deep breath and asked, "Is the King your father?"
"Oh. Yeah." He said scratching his head.
I stared at him dumbfounded. Did he just say?
"Wait doesn't that make you the?"
"The Prince? Yes, I am Prince Anthony. Just call me Anthony."
I guess my face looked a bit funny with my mouth hanging open. He started laughing, it was a deep throaty sound, and I am not ashamed to say it made my insides feel like jelly.
"We should probably get going."
"Where?"
"You, my dear Runner have to get changed."
"For....."
"We have a party that requires your presence."
With that, we left and went to meet Cortia a thirty-one-year-old seamstress with way too much energy.
~~~~~~END OF FLASHBACK~~~~~~~
Now here we are in front of the door leading to the ballroom. He held out his hand and I take it smiling as the doors open, my hand warm in his. We step into the room and everything goes dead silent.
We slowly descend the staircase and stand amongst the people of the kingdom. Anthony stepped onto the floor and turned to me with a smile on his lips. He bowed placing a kiss upon my hand. I curtsied in return and smiled.
He then turned to the crowd and said, "My people I know you have seen little of me but, my name is Anthony and I am your Prince." The room erupted in whispered questions but all were silent when the Prince began to speak again.
"I am not yet done. This as you all may know is our dearest Runner. One of our many residents and an orphan. Never seems to stay in one place for long right? For she had no home. I, no we, are here to announce that from tonight forth she will be living here in the palace with me and my parents."
Someone pushed their way to the front. When they emerged I saw it was Mrs. Haggan.
"You have got to be kidding me." She said glaring at me.
