Two Forbidden Sides (Sophitz)

~6~

It was a couple hours before the ball officially began and with the help of many dress fitters, I had my gown on. The dress was as beautiful as I imagined it to be, although it could end me in the hospital very fast. After a few fixings of the dress and with the help of a guard, I entered my room and took a seat on my chair, facing the mirror of my vanity.

A few of the dress fitters entered with boxes and tools for makeup and hair. After an hour of pain, the end result looked fabulous. They started on my makeup, which I had asked for only little and they had done the task right. It was 10 minutes before the doors were going to open and after thanking everyone and fixing the smallest of things, I headed to the ballroom.

"Kiddo you look so beautiful." Grady said, hugging me with open arms.

"Thank you father," he kissed the top of my head, breaking apart.

"Sweetheart you forgot your tiara." No wonder my head felt a little too light.

"I guess I had forgotten, I shall fetch it quickly," they nodded their heads excusing my absence as I went to my room, where the tiara sat on my vanity exactly where I had left it yesterday. With the help of the mirror I placed the tiara on the top of my head and walked back to the ballroom.

"You gave her your tiara," Grady noticed, wrapping an arm around Edaline's waist.

"Yeah, it fits her very well." After a small group hug with my parents and double checking if everything was in its place, my father directed for the doors to open and immediately 26 men crowded in.

I was looking for a specific teal eyed boy, and after a quick search I locked eyes with him. He smiled at me and it was quickly interrupted by my mother urging me to converse and socialize.

I grumbled under my breath and plastered on a smile before a tall man with black hair which was gelled to the side, wearing a white suit, and a charming smile, walked up to me.

He bowed, taking my hand and kissing the back of it.

"That is not necessary, but thank you. What is your name?"

"I'm Elijah, next in line for the throne of the kingdom of Stefabia, delighted to make your acquaintance."

"Delighted to meet yours, Elijah. What are a few hobbies you enjoy doing in your free time?" I ask him. He swirled the drink in his cup and took a small sip, thinking.

"I love gardening and fencing. I have my own little fruit garden at the palace and I grow various types of fruits. Connecting with dirt and soil feels very nurturing for me and it is a very calming hobby I enjoy doing. I've been doing fencing for quite a while now and I quite enjoy it. I've even entered a couple of competitions. How about you princess?"

"I enjoy reading, and I have quite an imagination. I've always enjoyed reading books, and I practically live in the library here." He chuckled at that, taking another small sip of his drink.

We continued to converse for another five minutes before I was bombarded with even more guys and I've definitely learned a lot about them. Some I thought liked to talk much about their accomplishments and sounded a bit snobby and stuck up. I had spoken to most of the selected except one that I've been waiting to speak to all day.

I found Fitz speaking with someone else and approached the two. Fitz noticed me, a small smile reaching his lips as the other man left Fitz and I to talk.

"I thought you had completely forgotten about me princess," he said bowing, placing a kiss on the back of my hand.

"How could I possibly do that?" He chuckled, grabbing my hand and twirling me around.

"You look gorgeous Sophie," I felt myself blush at the compliment, struggling for an answer.

"Thank you. So how was the ride? How did your driver not suspect anything?"

"I bribed him, so my parents have no idea I'm in Havenfield."

"Clever." He smirked.

"I know," I playfully rolled my eyes at him, taking a small sip of my drink.

"So do I have competition out there?" Fitz asked, looking at the crowd, where a few of the selected were speaking with my parents.

"I'd say so," I answer, a grin on my face. "How would you like to go to the balcony? Take a break from all of this." He smiled nodding his head as the both of us made our way to the balcony, leaning against the edge of it.

"All of this is becoming so real, it feels like just yesterday I was alone on the roads of Havenfield, but look at me now. Having my own selection and about to marry one of the selected in a couple years or so." He seemed confused about the first part I had spoken about.

"What do you mean on the roads?" He asked.

"I'm not the king and queen's biological daughter. I am not of their blood and at the young age of seven, I was left in an alley with nothing by my biological parents. Weeks and months I stayed there, frightened and alone until I was taken in by my parents. They were still suffering with the pain of losing their heir to the throne and took me in looking at my state. They took care of me like I was their daughter and I had already thought of them as my parents. And only a couple weeks later, I was officially their newly adopted daughter and new princess of Havenfield." He listened silently, bringing me a small hug.

"I'm so sorry Sophie. That's such an awful thing to happen, especially at such a young age."

"It was very hard, but I don't know what I would've done without the help of Grady and Edaline."

"How did you deal with rainstorms and such?" I shrugged my shoulders in response, taking another sip of my drink.

"It was very difficult, I'd have to beg for shelter, and when no one would take me in, I would just hug myself underneath anything that I could find. To this day I'm still afraid of thunderstorms."

"You must be after everything you've been through." He answered, rotating his cup, and taking a sip from it.

"But I'm always grateful for what I have now, regardless of my past." He smiled softly, standing up.

"Very positive way of looking at it princess. Although it is quite chilly out here, how would you like to join me inside?" He asked.

"I'll join you in a minute," he nodded his head, entering back in the palace, leaving me alone outside.

I thought back to the difficult times in my life, but I smiled to myself. I was proud of myself.

I survived when I thought I couldn't.

I took care of myself when I thought I couldn't.

I have a good life now when I thought I couldn't.

~

Hey guys! We're at 6 chapters! Yay! I'm not sure if I'm the only one enjoying the book but whatever! If anyone's asking when I'll update Enemies to Lovers, it'll probably be tomorrow or the day after. But thanks for 160 reads! As always thanks for reading, commenting, and voting! I'll see you in the next chapter! Byeeee!