Not So Royal After All (A Haylijah Short Story)

Part 4

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The first show of Fashion Week was about to start and the royals were the last to enter the spacious ballroom to join the rest of the crowd. Those who paid big money sat in the back, A-list celebrities filled in the middle, and the royals sat in the front. Elijah notices his sister running into the sea of people, then plops a seat next to him.

"You're never late to such events, where have you been?"

"I might have talked to some of the models to see whom you would drool over."

"Any potentials I may swoon over?"

"Actually there is one."

Teasing her brother she gives him a playful smile and little nudge.

"Well what is her name, what does she look like?"

"Calm down brother, I thought you did not want to marry. Does it matter if I tell you or not?"

"Yes it does, as your brother and future king of this country I demand you to answer."

"I thought you also did not want the crown."

"Rebekah."

"All right all right I'll give you her name. Her name is Hayley Marshall. She is quite beautiful, she's a mere goddess. And she's quite different from the rest."

Before the prince could say anything else the lights began to dim, informing those the show is in session. Backstage, Hayley, who is getting last minute touch ups, notices the necklace the mysterious girl had given her before. She grabbed it, slipped it on, and headed towards the crowd of models lining up to walk the runway. She was next in line to head out, feeling a bit hesitant but then summed up the courage to walk out and strut her runway walk with confidence.

As she got closer towards the end of the runway, she noticed a familiar face in the front of the crowd. She then saw a devilishly handsome man, and an older woman. But what stunned her was the older woman was wearing a crown, almost as though she was royalty. She is royalty! Hayley then replayed what the girl had told her; "Even if the guards had spotted me they would not be able to cast me away, they know who I am so you have nothing to worry about." Hayley had put two and two together, the mysterious girl who had wandered into her chambers was the princess of New Orleans, the man next to her was her eldest brother, Prince Elijah, and the Queen as well. Her confidence started to diminish, her heart began to race, she could feel it thumping against her chest, and felt weak in the knees.

"She truly is breathtaking. I have never seen such beauty before."

Elijah only had eyes for her and studied every detail of the walking masterpiece. Her long wavy hair that matched her dark sable eyes. The way she moved angelically across the runway. How she effortlessly showcased the red dress she wore. Her walk screamed confidence, but as she inched closer to the edge of the runway, her constant flow of confidence began to diminish and she slowly became unsteady.

The last step was fatal. A chunk of Hayley's dress had been lodged into her high heel, causing her to lose her balance and fall towards the front of the runway. Expecting her fate of falling on her face and becoming a laughing stock slipped away when she noticed she fell into the arms of the devilishly handsome stranger whom she realized was the prince. Flash after flash of photography from the paparazzi-filled the room, causing a great scene to occur.

"Are you all right miss?"

"Yes thank you, but you know, you can put me down now."

In one swift motion, she was back on the ground stable on her feet. Their eyes met each other's gazes, not looking away for a split second. What seemed like hours was merely seconds of tension, either looking to see who would break the silence first.

"Thank you again, your highness", she says as she curtsies. Hayley turns on her heels to walk away but then a soft, warm touch stops her. She turns around to notice the prince holding her arm in an attempt to stop her departure. Elijah then takes her hand and places a kiss on the back of her hand.

"Till we meet again Ms. Marshall."

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