The Princess Knight

Chapter 5

For 2 days I stay in my bedroom the majority of the time. When I have preparations and appointment, most with my sister, I completely ignore her. At first, she tries to apologize but after she gets the hint, she gives me pleading looks.

When the day of the ball arrived, I couldn't help but feel dread in the pit of my stomach as I dress in my elaborate green ball gown and Ciara does my hair and makeup. And when she's done she tells me I look beautiful but when I look in the mirror I see another girl an entirely different version of me. A version I don't like. I feel so fake and so different, all I want to do is rip of this dress and let my hair out of the thousands of bobby pins. I want to run away from this life that is being chosen for me. I just want to be free.

 When I'm done getting ready Ciara places my tiara in my hair and I stand and head to my door. Ciara takes my hand and gives me a reassuring squeeze. I step out and make my way to the ballroom doors my sister waits there for me at the door with our Father. I give them short greetings. Father tells me I look nice and so does Andrea. Father is dressed in his normal kingly garb and Andrea in a beautiful blue gown. 

The doors open and the trumpets play a fanfare. All together me and my family walk out into the ballroom and down the grand staircase. In the room I see my big brother standing with a group of men... he had actually come for this. He gives me a smile... I smile back hoping it doesn't look like a grimace. We stop at the bottom of the stairs as they announce us and then Father gives a speech. 

I tune Father out and scan the ballroom. I see many familiar faces of lords and ladies and good friends of my family. I see other kings and queen from neighboring kingdoms. But that's not what stands out to me, I notice some men. To the normal eye they'd look normal like any other person in the crowd but to me, they look different... Something about them is suspicious. But I shake off my suspicions and turn my attention back to the ball.

All through the ball, I sit through hopeless flirting and advances from the lords. Surprisingly it seemed I was getting a much larger crowd of men than my sister was, despite the fact that she's much prettier and outgoing than me. But I can see through their stupid facades, all they want is a chance to raise their statuses and their wealth.

I'm sitting taking a break when Maxon comes over to me and asks me to dance. I contemplate my achy feet and wonder whether to accept and in the end, I accept because he's one of the few people I can stand.

"How are you feeling," Maxon asks

"Terrible, all I want to do is go back and train with my sword. I hate this" I say.

"You'll be fine, your dad will come around."

"You know that will never happen. It's over." I say defeatedly

Maxon and I dance and chat quietly but I'm distracted I can't help but notice the strange men Id seen all congregating in a group. Some are still scattered around here and there but they're all talking to one another. Planning something.

"Maxon-" I start. But I'm too late, there's a sudden shriek as all the strange men whip out swords and I realize it's an ambush. I see my father being held by the man who seems to be the leader of this whole ambush. A sword is being held to his neck.