The Princess and Her Savior {Liam Payne AU}

Chapter 7: The Royal Ball

Liam's POV

It was the day of the ball and everyone was scrabbling around town getting the preparations done before tonight. Kind of like me. My dad took me and him to get tuxes to wear for tonight while my sisters and mother went for dresses. "You know son, you've been spending a lot of time out of the house lately and when you come back, you're wearing that same smile I wear whenever I see your mother" he said as we got out of the car in front of the shop. I chuckled "Can I just smile happily without there being a reason?" I questioned and he gave me a look. I sighed "Ok there is a reason" I caved and he pat my back. "Does it have anything to do with a girl?" I smiled and nodded. "She's special dad, very special" I told him instantly thinking of Beth. We've grown so close in such a matter of weeks and she makes everything brighter for me and when I look at her I can't help but smile. "When will we get to meet this special girl of yours?" Dad asked me as we entered the shop. I stopped to think about it. "Tonight, you'll meet her tonight" I told him.

"Ahh, so your mother and I only have a few hours to find something to embarrass you?" we both laughed. After about thirty or so minutes we were fitted for our tuxes and were on our way. I spotted the bouquet shop and saw the black limo in front of it. Through the window I saw auburn curly hair and smiled. "Hey, dad I'll be right back" I said before walking inside the shop. "It really is an honor to have the birthday princess in my shop today" the lady at the counter said. I heard Beth giggle "Well I'm honored to be in such a beautiful shop as yours" she said. "Well I would say there's something just as beautiful as the flowers" she turned and looked at me smiling, "Liam!" she then ran into my arms making me laugh. "Happy Birthday, Princess" I told her before we pulled away.

"Thank you, but what are you doing here?" she asked me and I held up the bag that contained my clothes and she nodded. "So what is the birthday girl doing in town?" I asked as we walked up and down the aisles. "The castle was a bit overbearing so I thought I could come here to escape but everything is busy here as well" she chuckled before looking over at the different bouquets of flowers. "I just wished my dad was here to see this" I heard the sadness in her voice as she brushed off her floral dress. "Hey, he would be proud of you and no matter what he's here watching over you helping you make the best decisions for yourself" I told her and she looked over at me and smiled with tears in her eyes. "You know just what to say don't you?" it was my turn to chuckled. "Only because I hate seeing such a beautiful girl crying especially on her birthday" I saw her gaze go on behind me.

"I don't believe it" she went over and picked up this bouquet of flowers that were white with a mix of blue roses, white daisies, and bright yellow tulips. "My father used to give me these type of flowers on my birthday before he passed, I thought I would never see them again because they are really rare" I could tell those meant a lot to her. "Princess, you're needed back at the castle, your mother said its urgent" a man said coming towards us. Beth set the follows back down before turning towards the man. "Of course it is" she said and looked at me. "I'll see you tonight Liam" she gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before walking off. I looked back at the flowers Beth held and suddenly got an idea.

I smiled as I walked out of the shop to see my dad with my mother and sisters. "Hey I heard we're meeting a special little lady friend of yours tonight" Nicole said and I smiled. "Yes, you are but I do ask to not do anything that would scare her off" I warned. My mother placed her hands on both sides of my face "You have nothing to worry about and we're happy to meet her" I thanked her. We all headed back to the house for lunch and had a bit of family time before Ruth and Nicole had to go home and get ready. I was up in my room trying to tie my tie but failing when I heard a knock on my door. It was my mom and she was carrying a box in her hand. "Need some help?" she asked and I nodded. "I would do it but I'm nervous" she chuckled as she fixed my tie perfectly.