The Unexpected Crown

Two

I've never taken a liking to gowns. Dresses, of course, every lady must wear a dress, but not gowns. They are just a heavy extension of a dress that I alway seem to stumble over. In fact, I just did.

Everything was going swimmingly. I followed my parents down the grand staircase in the Palace, per usual during these events, and then my silly heel got caught on the hem of my evergreen colored gown and I fell flat on my back. Now, I lay wincing in pain while guards rush over to assist me to my clumsy, little, feet.

"Thank you." I grumble as I fake a smile and signal that I'm fine to others at the ball who just happened to all become completely silent and still. This is mortifying! With a stronger smile I continue my way down to the party.

As soon as we step foot on the glamorous, white, marble, Mother turns to me with a devilish smirk. Her long nails once again pierce my skin on my wrist. This time I am sure that she has drawn blood.

"Corrine, you have doomed us all! You ruined every chance imaginable because you can't walk properly! Now go and flirt with other young bachelors, maybe they did not see you fall. And gracious girly, you better pray when we come home!" Her whisper screams echo in my ear. How can a mother hate her daughter so much as mine does me? She leaves me alone by the stairs and I'm about to go to freshen up when an extremely handsome man walks right up to me.

"Miss, are you alright?" He queries while kissing the top of my hand in greeting while I still stand shocked and silent. Getting the courage to move, I look side to side to be positive that he was talking to me and I hear his deep voice chuckle.

With wide eyes and severe blushing, I nod in reply. His great, blue, eyes and sandy, blond, hair are all it takes for me to connect the dots. This man is Prince Hunter. His lean but still muscular build makes him resemble exactly what a prince should look like. No wonder all the women gossip about him. He is drop dead gorgeous!

"That is good! I should have helped you up during you tumble down the stairs but my guards held me back. The least I can do as a gentleman is see how you are doing." Prince Hunter stands tall in front of me, blocking my view of the ball but when music starts I come to realization that the first dance starting. My eyes wonder around, never really wanting to stare directly at him and his royal handsomeness.

"Thank you, Your Highness. For I am very well and it is I who is concerned for you. Your dance is beginning." I inform him quickly with a shy smile. Nervousness shows across his face while he examines the ball room. The whole center of the room are cleared away leaving space for the prince and a lucky girl to dance. The orchestra in the corner of the gigantic room wait for His Royal Highness' command to begin.

Shrugging, he turns to look at me with a smile that made my knees wobbly. "Would you like to share this first dance with me, Miss...?"

"Corrine Jameston. And yes, I would love to." While he bows, I curtsy gracefully. Dance is one of only a few things that I had a talent in.

Hand in hand we make our way towards the middle and I secure one of my hands on Prince Hunter's muscled shoulder and one in his large hand. The contact makes me feel giddy inside, like a young school girl getting her first kiss from her crush.

As the music begins, our feet move in sync to the Illéan Waltz. On every turn, I stretch my neck back and take in every movement. At this very moment I felt like a princess; everyone watching, dancing with a prince, and being dressed in a gorgeous yet extremely difficult gown.

As we dance, I stare into his blue eyes while he looks back into mine. There is no need for talking, for I feel as if I already know him. His eyes share his life story. Palace life is not as glamorous as one may see it. Stress of becoming a king and finding a bride is getting to him. I try to tell him my problems at home. An abusive mother. An outsider to my status. A father who loves me but is almost never around.

To my dismay, the dance ends before I wish it to. I curtsy and as soon as I stand upright, Prince Hunter has found a new partner. Offended, I turn on my heel and make a beeline for the snack food piled elegantly on a table.

After nibbling on a few finger sandwiches, a bubbly blond bounces her way over to me. With a wide smile she extends her ringed fingers to me.

"Pardon me but, hello! I'm so sorry my brother is a complete ass! And are you alright from falling? " I look over her tipsy appearance and almost giggle. She obviously has either been sneaking around with a man or fell asleep in the past ten minutes of the ball. Her lipstick is slightly smudged and her curled hair has been frizzed up in places.

"Princess Gracelyn?" I question, shaking her hand.

"Yesss!" She squeaks extending the 's' sounds. She must have been drinking before.

"Your Highness, if I may, could I help you with your hair? The tabloids haven't been friendly recently." I say, hoping that I haven't offended her.

"Did Nick mess up my hair? Oh goodness, is my makeup smudged too? Everyone already thinks I'm a wanton!" Princess Gracelyn's eyes gloss over like she is about to cry when I take her to the powder room.

While I start to fix her hair into a low bun, she informs me about her love life and the one sided view the tabloids have of her. Princess Gracelyn was in fact, a modest girl. She was friendly to guests but Ambassadors sons would tell the press that she tried flirting with them to increase their lists of ladies. The only love she has in her life is Prince Hunter's best friend, Prince Nicolas of England. Princess Gracelyn would always tag along with their schemes and over that time she fell for her brother's friend and he did for her.

"That sounds so romantic. I have never fallen in love." I comment, putting in the last pin for her hair to stay in place. She reapplies her lipstick and then gives me a awkward hug. While I have been to multiple royal balls, I've never chatted with any of the royal family. And now, I've become friends with a princess and danced with a prince.

"I'm sure you will! Just remember that you can't find love, it finds you." She replies honestly. I just nod and smile in response. As good as that sounds, love doesn't always find a match. Poor Jasmine is single still, yet she is the best person I know.

"Now do I look presentable?" Princess Gracelyn asks, doing a twirl to show off her beautiful lilac gown.

"Most definitely Your Highness." I laugh, straightening my own out.

"Good. You look fabulous as well Corrine, and call me Gracelyn. Now are you ready to be the star of the ball?"

Yes.

Let me know what you think so far! I'm liking this version a lot better! Just as a heads up any new characters you will meet will have a picture of who plays them either up top or to the side.

Please vote and comment!

Thank you all❤️