Luna Amante

The Belle of the Ball

"No...get away from me! I don't want to be hurt again!"

Daniella cried as she saw the guard and Claudio getting closer to her, worried that she was going to be pounced on again. Seeing how the gentleman in front of her was none other than the Prince, she gasped at the sight of him before getting up and curtsying to him nervously. She was ready to apologize, but that's when he stood up and took her hand, eliciting another gasp from her.

"I'm not going to hurt you, miss. You deserve better treatment than that. In fact, would you like a new dress?"

Surprised to hear such a question, Daniella blushed and shyly nodded before Claudio called for the royal tailors, who approached before a quick word was shared between them. With that, Daniella was taken to the tailor's quarters to be measured and fitted. While she was away, Claudio was approached by his father, who was both proud of his son and a little confused.

"Son... I know this might be wrong to ask, but why are you standing up for someone of a lower class?"

"Because, Father, I couldn't stand to see her in such pain, and I should have jumped in to help her sooner. After she comes back, I think the best thing for her is to share at least one dance with me. I know she's not what you might expect me to dance with, but I'd like to get acquainted with her."

After nodding in understanding, the King walked to the throne before sitting beside the Queen, who looked at their son with pride in her eyes. After the guard had cleaned up the mess with the broken slipper, he bowed to Claudio before leaving the room, which was right before Daniella re-entered the ballroom. Her new violet ballgown was now flowing and full of sparkle, topped off with a brand new tiara and a necklace that had an amethyst on it, as well as silver slippers on her feet. After thanking the tailors for their help, Claudio turned his attention back to Daniella, whose smile showed both her innocence and timidness.

"Miss Daniella... may I have this dance?"

"Of course, you may, Your Highness."

After she curtsied as he bowed, Daniella and Claudio got into position before they started to dance. As the musicians started playing a waltz, Daniella's nervousness started melting away and Claudio smiled at the gem in his arms. Even the King and Queen couldn't believe how happy their son was with the visitor, especially since this was the happiest he had been with anyone other than them. Daniella didn't know how it happened, but while she was gazing into his eyes as they danced, they soon wound up in the castle's garden. Since they could still hear the music faintly in the background, Claudio brushed off a bench in the garden before having Daniella sit first, and she blushed before sitting and pulling her skirt in for him.

"I hope you don't mind me asking you this, Miss Daniella, but what do you do for a living?"

"Well, um... I work at my father's tavern and inn back home, with my father as both owner and co-worker."

She thought he would send her away because of her honest answer, but he squeezed her hand and smiled as he assured her that she was alright, adding that he loved her hard-working attitude. When asked if she had bought the dress and shoes she came in with, she shook her head and talked about the magical old woman, and even Claudio was impressed with her answer. When he asked if she would like to take her old clothes home with her when she left, she thought for a moment and nodded before sighing as she remembered how shredded her dress was.

"I... I wish I was brave enough to fight those ladies on my own, but I've never had a situation like that happen before. Even as emotional as I was after the one shattered my slipper, I... I guess it shows how clueless and naive I can be."

"Clueless? No, no, no. You're not clueless. You're kind, sweet, and respectable... not to mention, you're as pretty as a flower garden."

As he put his hand under her chin, Daniella's eyes widened before she blushed at his compliments, only to dissolve into giggles at how sweet he was. She couldn't believe that someone of such high stature would even say that to her, but she kept those thoughts inside as she tried to think of what to say next.

"Um... thank you, Your Highness. Gee, I... you're very handsome and sweet, as well as braver than any knight I've ever read about."

"Why, thank you, Daniella. May I ask such a lovely woman as you for a kiss?"

"Of course, you may!"

Even though she had never kissed anyone outside of her family, Daniella moved closer on the bench before Claudio's lips met hers, causing her breath to hitch before she kissed him back. Even in such a dark castle, the touch of his lips on hers felt like pure paradise for her, and she wrapped her arms around him before hugging him close.