Noble Gardenia

Chapter 3

Leah walked down the stairs slowly and into the dining room, all set up for the banquet. Her dress was a silvery lavender and her train trailed on the ground behind her. The fabric sparkled as she walked down the sunlit stairs.

"You look stunning dear!" the queen gushed, wearing her own light turquoise dress, complete with an aquamarine-studded crown and long silver hoop earrings.

"Thanks mother." Leah said, smiling. She did like her dress, even though her hands were shaking from anticipation of the night ahead. The gold and diamond crown seemed to offset the silver/purple quality of her dress, but her dad had given it to her, and it would be respectful to at least wear it for the night.

"Remember, just do as your father told you, and you'll find a perfect prince for yourself." her mom said, adjusting her trailing sleeves. "Our guests will be arriving soon."

About half an hour later, the banquet was over, and everyone was filling the ballroom to begin dancing. Leah looked over at her mother, who gave her a small nod. Leah looked away. She had talked to several princes that night, none of them quite suited her in the way she was looking for. Despite this she spent the next few hours dancing and chatting the night away.

She glanced again at her mother. The queen was talking to someone, and, for the time being, not looking at Leah. Leah picked up her dress folds and quickly walked out of the ballroom and into the courtyard.

The night was echoing with crickets and shining from the light from the full moon as she sat down by the fountain. She breathed, feeling free from the crowdedness of the ballroom. She pulled off the heeled shoes she was wearing, they had been annoying her all night. She placed the heavy crown by her side as she sighed, looking up at the sky.

Suddenly a strikingly calm melody floated to her ears. The sound of it seemed to soothe her problems for a brief second. She strode down the path towards the noise, leaving her crown and shoes behind. She walked through the otherwise quiet courtyard until she found the source of the music, a dark-skinned prince in blue robes was sitting on a bench, eyes closed as he played the harmonious melody on his violin. It was almost like he was illuminated by the moonlight as he played. Leah couldn't think of anything to say, so she just stood there, mesmerized by his skill. When he finished his song, the prince opened his eyes and stared right at her, with a calming amber gaze.

"Uh, hello." Leah said quietly. The prince looked at her, seemingly embarrassed by his playing. "Sorry, I didn't want to interrupt." Leah said, taking a step closer.

"You must be the princess of Giassamore." he said, standing up with a bow. Leah nodded, returning his gesture with a curtsy. "It's a pleasure your highness." he said as he sat back down on the bench. Leah sat with him. "I'm Jacob. Prince Jacob of Daeris."

"Princess Leah of Giassamore." Leah responded. "I really liked what you were playing," she said quietly, smiling at him a little, "You have a gift."

He met her eyes and looked away with an unreadable expression. "Thank you. It's just a hobby though, music isn't exactly a princely talent." he said, looking back at her with a slight smile.

"What are 'princely talents' then?" asked Leah.

"Fencing, archery, hunting, womanizing, and other activities that make you seem strong, wise and powerful," Jabob responded.

Leah let out a small laugh. "My parents do not care about my talents, just that I seem like the perfect daughter, and the perfect future queen."

"What are your talents then?" Jacob asked.

"I like to paint," Leah replied, "I also enjoy writing, but I am not sure I would consider that a talent."

Jacob moved aside to allow Leah to sit down next to him. "What do you write?"

Leah fiddled with her fingers, "Poetry, mostly. I have been trying to write some short stories lately, but I have not found a good topic to write about yet."

"I write music sometimes, though I would not consider that a talent at this point either," Jacob stood up and offered Leah his hand. "We should be heading back inside; you don't want to keep your adoring fans waiting.

Leah nodded and took it, "It was nice to meet you, Jacob."

"It was nice to meet you as well, Leah," Jacob reached up to his boutonniere, and unpinned it from his jacket pocket. The flower was a light pink carnation. He handed the flower to Leah with a smile, "To remember me by."

...

"Well Leah, did you meet someone tonight?" Leah's mom asked as the servants were cleaning up the ballroom. Leah twisted the pink flower in her fingers as she stared out the window at the moon. "Leah, dear." her mom said, lightly tapping her on the shoulder.

"What?" Leah asked, not registering what her mother had asked.

"Leah dear, we talked about this." her mother said with a sigh. "You have to meet a suitable prince sooner or later, or your father and I will have to pick one for you." her mother said, heading up the stairs. "Goodnight."

Leah turned around, looking at her mother, her smile still a little dazed. "Actually, I think I did meet someone."