The Key to X | Editing - but on hold

Artemis

My eyes were wide open in shock as I entered the ballroom. I had a silvery-blue mask on, one of the last gifts I was given by my mother. I decided to honor her by wearing it tonight. I had stood amongst the crowd just as the princes were announced. The Northern prince looked straight and tidy, with seriousness displayed on his face. The Southern prince had red and silver on his mask, a bit nervous while walking down. His younger sister followed after announcing him, an adorable girl bobbled next to him. The Eastern prince caught my attention right away, with a blue-silver mask like my own; he walked down slowly with his sister behind him, the two looking very different. Prince Fallon took off his mask, liquid gold eyes gleaming in the light, with his dark raven hair to top off his looks. I heard multiple girls sigh as his gaze swept the crowd. The Western prince walked alone, taking off his mask and revealed black eyes and brown hair with red tips. Prince Ashton's gaze also swept the crowd, making contact with a few people, a smile on his face. The two princesses stepped back, disappearing into the crowd as the four princes bowed, smiling widely as the Northern prince stood forward.

"Let the party... begin!" His voice spoke, boys and girls mingling, the princes disappearing from view. I quickly made my way out of the crowd and stepped outside, the sound and masses of people inside already giving me a headache. I stepped out onto the balcony, taking in the scent of the cool night air.

"I take it that you don't quite like parties?" A voice spoke behind me, causing me to turn around. Prince Ashton, who was sitting on a chair on the balcony, turned to me.

"Your highness," I curtsied, my gaze low and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"No need. There's no need for such a formal greeting." He smiled at me, reaching out his hand. "Just call me Ashton." I nodded, straightening and spoke softly.

"My name is Artemis." I took his hand, giving him a firm handshake. I sat down next to him, staring out at the night sky. Suddenly, I heard a shrill giggle; I turned my head and caught the gaze of Grace, who was holding the hand of the southern prince. Grace beamed at me, giving me a wink before rushing back inside.

"So, Artemis," Ashton tested my name out. "Have you been in the other kingdoms? I take that you are from the North?" I nodded silently, before clearing my throat politely.

"I have been to all of the kingdoms. Not for travel, but for school. I attended a boarding school in the Eastern Kingdom, the best one for our kind." Ashton tapped the side of his seat, standing up abruptly. I stood, a bit confused by his suddenness.

"Have you seen X then? He deserves an execution, guillotine would be best." Ashton spat, his kind facade melting away into a darker one. "What do you think?" He stepped towards me, forcing me to walk backward onto a wall. My back was up against the wall in no time, Ashton's face right in front of mine. "Tell me then," he spoke his voice rising at every word. "Do you think he should die?" I shuddered while goose bumps rippled onto my skin my arms began to shake. I closed my eyes, turning my head away as Ashton came closer and closer. Suddenly, I felt Ashton's presence still and leave me, a figure standing on the balcony.

"Leave the girl alone, Ashton. This is not a way to treat anyone! Even if it is about X." The figure stepped forward, revealing that he was Prince Fallon. Ashton snarled at the prince, stomping away angrily. "Hey, are you alright?" I nodded slowly, stepping away from the corner. "Ignore Ashton about that. When he's in a bad mood, he literally looks like he's out to kill." I smiled faintly, turning away and cast my eyes downwards. "You don't have to go all formal with me. I hate the formalities. I'm Fallon, not 'His Royal Highness Crown Prince Fallon." He spoke, tugging on my arm and led me into the ballroom. He suddenly froze, his gaze frozen on me.

"Are you alright, Fallon?" I gazed at his frozen features before he swallowed and spoke one word that made my heart stop.

"Anastasia?"

***

"Ana! Come on! We've got to go before they catch us!" A raven-haired boy yelled at me, amber eyes glowing. I nodded, running after him out of the security room. Fal and I had just hacked our ways through the security cameras, erasing the footage of the two of us falling asleep in class. Both of us skidded to a stop, where a tall woman stood, her foot tapping impatiently.

"What type of children are you? You both are only seven! Why would you hack your ways into the cameras?" Fal and I huffed, crossing our arms at the same time.

"No offense, Principal Hawkins, but you seem to be a saxicolous person," Fal grinned at her, her face scrunching up in annoyance.

"Prince Fallon Alexander Jaxton, and Anastasia Madeline Valentina Lexington! For the last time, why can't you two be normal children! I swear, if I catch you two causing trouble again, I will call your parents and let them know of your behavior. Shame." Fallon and I gave her mock salute and ran off, snickering to ourselves and went off to our rooms.

***

"Fal, it's been years." I sighed, blinking back the memory that I had stowed away years ago. The boy I once knew wrapped his arms around me, his embrace, warm. He cleared his throat releasing his hold on me and kneeled, taking my hand.

"Would you dance with me, madam?" I smiled, my blue eyes shining with delight.

"Of course, Fal." I took his other hand, the two of us waltzing our way onto the ballroom floor. Fal twirled me; a small shy smile broke onto my face as I thought back to our first time dancing together. Fal had stepped on my feet when we were eight, both of us failing to dance. Now, he danced effortlessly, dipping me slowly so that I wouldn't go crashing to the ground. We danced for a bit more, stopping when we were both out of breath. Fal pulled us two chairs, plopping down in one of them in exhaustion. I let out a breath, my face flushed from our dancing.

"You realize your mask matches mine. Peculiar, isn't it?" Fal commented, pulling out his mask and placed it on his lap. I nodded, slipping my mask off to expose my entire face, remaining silent. Fal faltered for a moment, a bit stuck on what to say. "Er... you've changed a lot since I last saw you. You seem... older, wiser, and um..." he trailed off, murmuring the last word. I did not hear it but smiled nonetheless.

"Thank you, Fallon," I spoke his full first name before speaking a few lines. "Fal, you've changed so much too. You've grown up from a little boy to a young man. I hardly recognized you, and if you had not spoken my real name, I would not have been able to make the connection. I missed you so much." I sighed, my gaze turned to study him and how much he had changed. He had grown his raven hair longer and messier; his peachy skin tone tanner into a light yellow tone; his amber eyes, under light now appeared to be liquid gold. I blinked, noting that he was also studying me, comparing current me, to my past self. A girl with a purple-silver mask walked up to us, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Fallon, we've got to go. The feast part of the party is about to begin. We must be at the royal table to start." The girl turned to me, a beaming smile on her lips. "I'm Sophia if you don't know. I'm Fallon's younger sister. You are...?"

"Artemis," I spoke softly, shooting Fallon a silencing look. "Fal and I knew each other way back." Sophia nodded, walking off through the crowd to the royal table.

"Anastasia to Artemis? You'll remain Ana to me forever." Fallon mused, standing up and dusted off his dress pants. I stood up as well, turning towards the prince. He stepped closer to me, taking my hand and brushed his lips on the knuckles of my hand. "Until next time, Ana. I will see you soon?"

"Of course, sir," I winked at him, the two of us departing in opposite directions and deep into the crowd.

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Woah. So there's two moods for Ashton: Nice-and-Friendly Ashton, and I'm-about-to-kill-you-with-my-anger Ashton. Ouch. At least there's Prince Charming, *ahem*, Prince Fallon.

-Charlie