Evermore [The Beast/The Prince x Reader]

chapter seven

She approached the castle doors for the second time in her life. Her hands fell limp at her sides, disappearing in the netting and folds of gold fabric. She glittered with every step.

Her stomach was filled with butterflies. Since her last visit, she had imagined and gone through every minute this night could entail.

She dreamed of the Prince. What colors would he be wearing? How would his warm hands feel against the small of her back? Would he think she is beautiful? Should she wear a hat, or let her hair fall naturally around her face?

Upon entering, she realized that not much changed at the party. But today, she approached the Prince's throne and saw his eyes sparkling with red makeup. Thin lines of crimson made his lips prominent against the creamy white of his powdery cheeks.

He sat up straight in his throne. His hand dropped from the cheek it was pressed against. His ruby lips spread into a pleased grin as he saw her.

"Your majesty," she said, bowing respectfully.

He pushed himself out of his seat. With a slight swagger, he inched towards her and reached for her hand. She placed her gloved fingers in his and allowed herself to straighten up in front of him.

"Mm... mademoiselle," he murmured, and he kissed her hand. "You look... trés magnifique."

Her heart fluttered as he pulled her close and into a dance. The other dancers, the pretty girls, with their pretty dresses and perfect makeup, and their eyes sparkling with the desire to touch him, surrounded them. He watched only her, and she found herself frozen in his intense gaze.

The minutes on the clock ticked by, and she fell into a trance. Her feet became lighter on the floor. She was intoxicated by him, and who could blame her?

"You wouldn't mind going somewhere else, would you?" he asked softly, leaning close to her ear.

"Where would we go, your majesty?" she asked, her voice soft.

"The balcony," he said, as if he had already planned in. "You would look beautiful in the moonlight."

Her cheeks blushed. "You would leave your party to look at me in the moonlight, Prince?"

"I would do anything," he promised, giving his head a quick shake. His arm snaked around her waist, breaking the posture of the dance. She gasped as he dipped her slightly. "These other women... they pale in comparison to you, mademoiselle. You are beautiful."

She was breathless. "Very well. I will grab us a few drinks. Will you meet me there?"

"Of course," he said. He pulled her back up.

Her hands were on his shoulders, her face inches from his. He lowered his eyes to her lips that she spent hours filling in with different shades of red lipstick.