One Match

Chapter 1

Smack. My head hit the ground. Hard. I tried to stand up but my vision was blurry and my hearing muffled. All I could hear was the muffled screaming of King Owen. Then...silence.

All I could do was just lay there on this disgusting floor of my room. My head throbbed but there wasn't anything I could do.
Soon enough Anabelle came rushing in with a cloth and some bandages. She rushed to my side. My hero.

"Don't worry about him. He's just mad that a rookie stood up against him today." She says as she dabs my wound. I flinch.

That doesn't give him any right.

Soon she was done with her medical wrapping and just looked at me.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not you." I reply as I touch the bandages she just applied. "Thanks."

She just gave a slight smile.

"I will check on you tomorrow. Hopefully I will have good news.

Good news?

Before I could say anything more she scurried out of my room. It was about time for night hour and if I didn't get into bed I was asking for another beating. I crawled my way to my brick bed and plopped down. My whole body was aching, especially my face.

Anabelle is my cousin. She has always been by my side since I can remember. For some reason I ended up the punching bag to the King instead of her. After every beating, which has become a daily occurrence, she brings me everything I need. I trust her with everything.
Before I knew it I was already sleeping.

THE NEXT DAY

The day had been the same as usual until Annabelle came running into the kitchen while I was making lunch. The biggest grin on her face.

She rapidly shook a letter in my face.

A letter?

"Look inside." She said, not containing her excitement. I wipe my hand off on my apron and pull out a card.

An invitation. To the ball. The annual ball.

The annual ball is where all the major leaders of the world and their prestigious families meet and discuss trade and politics in a friendly manner. There is dancing and always a buffet. I hear lots of people meet their matches there. Most importantly, they get to see the Sovereign.

"THE ANNUAL BALL!" She sings to me. I just chuckled.

"Congrats Bels. I know you have been dreaming of this for a while."

Wasn't just her.

"What if I meet my match. What if I'm matched with his highness!"

His Highness was the heir to the throne. Once he found his match he would take over the crown. He was the dream of all the girls around the world. He should be about 22 years old now. A little late for finding your match.

"You just might." I said as I cracked the eggs in the pan.

"and...I can bring a plus one." She said, "Would you like to be my plus one?"

I froze.

I could go to the ball. Maybe I could find my match and get the heck out of this place.

"King Owen would never agree to that." I said, shaking the idea out of my head. Continuing my cooking.

"He already did." She said and I couldn't help the smile that crept onto my face.

I'm going to the annual ball.

I grabbed Annabelle in a tight hug and we spun around like a bunch of girls at a slumber party.

"King Owen pardoned your duties for this week so you could be... presentable. Heal those bruises."

I nodded.

The scars won't heal.

"Thank you." I said and she just smiled. Then she yanked my arm and we ran off.

I am going to the annual ball.

Thank you so much reader! It makes me so happy your reading my work! Please keep reading and share with others!!! I appreciate you so much!! Remember to vote and comment:) it means so much!