Freedom from Paradise

2

Vanilla bath taken, hair done like so, and into my dress I was ready to go to the ball.

I love my dress it is deep burgundy with silver sequins.  It was the closest thing to black my mother would let me wear.

My hair was oh so uncomfortable, but looked stunning. I was only wearing light makeup beside the dark lipstick that matched my dress.

I was standing outside the doors leading onto the balcony above the stage. My father the King is in the stage with my mother and the three thrones. I could here him talking and knew my queue was coming. I was to walk onto the balcony and be like a new Barbie in a box being awed at and then I was to thank everyone for coming to my birthday party.

Kate appeared at my side. " It's time Tara.  Have fun miss!" She nodded to the guard on either side of the door. They ripped open the doors and I glided to the front of the balcony with a ear full of cheering. The noise was unbearable, but my smile never wavered. I waited for the crowd to quiet and began, "Thank you one and all for joining me and my parents in celebrating my 18th birthday. It has been an honor to serve you year after year. Let the party begin!" The cheering began again, but ended quicker this time.  I descended the spiral staircase that were really not a good idea. They were too narrow and too steep.

"You look lovely dear! Stand up straight darling. Smile!" My mother bossed. I obliged and moved closer to my father.

"Hello beautiful." My father smiled.

"High daddy! When is our dance to be?" It was tradition for the princess to dance with the king. Something I always love doing.

"Soon Princess, let's let them eat and mingle. I have some people to introduce you to." He grinned.

"Lovely!" Oh no! We were going to walk around as he introduced me to the most eligible bachelors hoping I might like one of them. My father trying to play matchmaker, again! Lord help me.

👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

After an hour of the matchmaking I spotted a gentleman with the sharpest blue eyes. His suit was a crisp grey piece of perfection hugging his muscles and showing them off. His head snapped in my direction as he felt my eyes on him. I ducked my head and turned towards my dad. He was looking at the beautiful specimen to my right,"Zeke! I see you did decide to join us. Come here!"

I could feel his eyes on me. And I felt nervous, no. Excited, no. Happy, no. Scared, no. Anxious, no. There is no word for how I felt. I looked up meaning to only catch his gaze for a split second only to she those eyes and chiseled jaw, but I couldn't look away. As soon as our eyes met I was hooked and I swear I heard him grow "mine".