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THE PAPARAZZI FLASHED at Merliah as she stepped out of the limousine, covering her gentle eyes from the sensitive rounds of repetitive flashes. Being a princess, you'd think she was familiar with the cameras. However, she never was. It was her least favorite part of being a socialite.
Her security team surrounded her as the princess walked into the infamous Paris Garnier for the notorious Paris Opera Ballet Grand Performance of Swan Lake. Paris took pride in their ballet schools. Hosting them among various locations in Paris, they became a powerhouse for events hosted, most notoriously the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Per say, the city of Love.
A title they held proudely to their image.
Merliah was always sent a personal invite to the annual showing each year since she was thirteen. Coming from royalty, sparking a public appearance at a ballet was known for the Grimmaldi Family. Noting how adoring ballet was for Merliah, she never complained.
Once Merliah was inside the building, her security team dispersed among the people to allow the Princess to safely mingle. Among the celebrities, socialites, and elites in attendance, Merliah made her way to the bar—looking for Dom Periginon to sip on before heading to her balcony seats.
As her eyes made contact with the bar, she treaded forth. Mingling through the crowd, she arrived at the bar and ordered a simple Dom with pearls.
A go-to for ballet.
"Oh, my dear. You look lovely tonight!" A woman said from behind her.
Merliah turned around to see Natalie Portman, a Canadian actor. The two had previously met when Merliah was eleven or twelve. Natalie had starred as the lead role in 'Black Swan', a narrative portraying a young girl's transition into being perfect through ballet. That movie struck Merliah's love of ballet.
"Natalie! Oh, how good it is to see you here!" Merliah smiled, greeting her idol and friend with a kiss on the cheek.
Natalie returned the greeting. "I wouldn't expect any less from you," she joked. "The board of Paris Ballet wants me to open this year's performance. I had to graciously accept."
"They shouldn't have chosen anyone else. You're the perfect option." Merliah fawned.
Natalie blushed, "Oh, stop it. You're a gem."
"Dom with pearls for you, m'lady." The waiter announced behind the counter.
"That's my que to head backstage. I'll look for you after the show tonight; we can head for some breakfast in Paris tomorrow if you're free, eh?" Natalie said as her manager whispered something in her ear.
"I'd love that."
Natalie disappeared into the crowd alongside her manager. Merliah took her drink and brought the rim of the glass up to her lips. The alcohol oozed through her mouth to tingle the back of her throat.
She turned on her heel and made direct contact with a chest. She almost spit out her drink but quickly corrected herself and her posture before any contents were spilled or disrupted. "I'm so sorry about that, your highness. I simply wasn't looking where I was going." He took his hand in hers in comfort to correct her back to her original composure.
"That was so rude of me. I'm deeply sorry about that; I should've been-" Merliah looked up at the man to see one of the most gorgeous men she's ever laid her eyes upon. A tall man, his chocolate hair slicked back with gel, and bright blue eyes that lit up galaxies.
"Nate. Nate Vanderbilt, your highness." He politely bowed as he introduced himself.
She smiled and curtsied, "Merliah Saint."
"I know- Not- Not I know in a creepy way, but I know who you are." He turned red and facepalmed. He shook his head sheepishly, "Let me restart. I know who you are, your highness. I deeply apologize for running into you."
"Don't worry about it. Seriously, no harm done."
"You look breathtaking tonight, Merliah Saint." Her heart jumped up in butterflies as her name rolled off his tongue so seamlessly, "Gladly, no drink was spilled on that dress." He said as he straightened his tie.
She caught a glimpse of the tie, Hermes.
He came from money.
Vanderbilt. As in the Vanderbilt tycoon she presumed. The family is still as prestigious as they once were back in the early 1900's. Yet surely, they remained lowly in the eyes of the public as their business insinuated prosperous fortunes. Residing primarily in New York, they were well known in the Upper East Side.
"A dress can be washed. Materialistic things are just for show."
"Perhaps your right, but I'd never let a pretty lady like yourself have her dress ruined for a prestigious night like this." The more he spoke, the more Merliah fell deeper and deeper into a mindless hole. Something was so encapsulating about the way he held himself high, how well kept he remained, and the perfect tints of cologne that hit her external nares with ease and elegance.
Plus, her mind needed to be off Lando. At least for now.
"Maybe you can make it up to me by joining me tonight in my box?" Merliah gave an angelic smile that lit up the room. She gave an offer he couldn't resist.
"How could I refuse?"
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a/n: hello guys im alive
im sadistic to myself and i took part in eight school clubs (three of which im an officer for), three ap's, three college classes and a golf career ontop of all that :)
im slowly recouping
ANYWAYS
im back
and im in love w nate alr
(not for long)
(i love u lando)
;)
YOU ARE READING
SAINT. | ln4 . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁
Romance. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ he was a driver and she was royalty, could it work? LN4 x oc
