Haven And Chaos

66) Abducted

Every muscle in my small body had grown extremely tense as Prince Abel led me back into the hall, but not through any back door. We were heading for the main entrance where his arrival would be announced, drawing the attention of every soul that had come.

I couldn't bring myself to refuse his request to walk me back inside and yet I couldn't manage to stay calm no matter how much I tried.
"Allow yourself to be the spotlight of the night, Maya. Or do you prefer we take the back door?" Abel asked looking ahead at the guards standing alert at the entrance.

"Ho-how could the crown prince use the back d-door?" I stammered slightly from the tension choking me.

The prince chuckled. "It's been a while since I attended this kind of party. I'm just as nervous as you are."

My head turned to him, shocked by his revelation. "You're, nervous?"

Abel glanced my way and flashed a warm sweet smile. Fuck! He looked so attractive sun-kissed. And I thought to myself for a second just how lucky whoever will marry him will be. She'd get a complete package, looks, money, power...everything a living person could wish for to live a comfortable life.

"I'm just good at hiding it."
The way he smiled looked so similar to Nikolai. But then again, they were related, so it was normal to have some common things and behaviors.

I tore my eyes from him and looked ahead, bracing myself for whatever would come. Even if it was for a night, I wanted to feel some proper respect from these nobles who liked looking down on low-status nobles like me.
In a freaking twist of fate, I had easily captured the prince's attention. Now all I had to do was work hard throughout the night to keep it.

The guards offered their deep bows and opened the doors for us without even looking into my eyes. I caught one of them pressing a green button on the device embedded into the wall and immediately, the music that had been playing inside the hall by the live band died out instantly.
"Here's the best part," Abel whispered as we went past the doors.

"The crown prince has arrived!" A man announced. He seemed to have been waiting for Abel and looked at me with a flicker of disapproval after he had announced his presence.

I swallowed and glanced at the countless heads now bowing facing this way. Dread and panic once more spread in my stomach, causing me to bloat a bit.

"Do you want them to stay like this? You look really nervous."

"I'm sorry your Highness, this is my first time attending such a party. I'm more nervous because I'm standing next to you. I'm sorry."

Abel rested his right hand on mine which was placed on his left arm, and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Just breathe and take it easy. Nobody here will dare say a word about you tonight. And nobody will question you. They're all eyes and no bite."
He had such gentle and comforting words.

But like he had said, nobody dared to stare too long at me or make any rude remark.
The ball officially commenced and after half an hour of following Abel around, I managed to escape him when some archdukes approached us.
I was already exhausted but had to keep going for the sake of my full freedom.

I slipped past the small crowds to get to the snack table, my tummy already letting out low grumbles.
Finally, I could breathe freely even if it'd be for a few minutes. 'It will all be worth it Maya. Keep going,' I encouraged myself as my eyes ran over the many snacks on display behind glass casings to protect them.
"I'll have this one," I said pointing at a square piece of a vanilla sponge cake. It looked quite appetizing, or were my eyes clouded by my hunger?

I waited patiently on the outside while trembling on the inside while one of the servants behind the long table served me. Things were finally going well for me, I just prayed that I'd not stumble upon the person who had made me like this. At least not till the ball was over.
But such wishful thoughts only came true to those who were righteous.