A Dance of Princes (The Heir, Book 1)

Chapter 10

The air was a bit chilly today but the sun was out nevertheless. I was wearing a dark purple coat and gray jeans with black ankle high boots. Grandma was in a nice light pink & green professional outfit topped with a large light green sun hat. Octavian and Jason were also there standing behind me as I stood next to Grandma. The benefit for the animal shelter drew a large crowd and people brought their pets along with them.

"I thank you all for coming here today to celebrate this successful event. Animals have been dear to me since I had my first puppy, Balthazar, when I was just a little girl. I have my grandson with me to stand by me to celebrate this day with all of us."

Grandma had asked me to try and begin to win over the people starting with the benefit, and what better than to give a heartfelt speech. Grandma motioned me over to the microphone and I nervously fidgeted with my thumbs.

"Uh, hello everyone..." I said nervously, "I'm not really good at making speeches, but I'll try my best." I glanced back at Octavian and Jason, and they both smiled and nodded me to go on. "I think that it's really great that this charity event will benefit the animal shelters to fund them for taking care of the many dogs and cats that roam around with no owner to care for them."

I took a deep breath before I could continue on. "You know, back then when I was a little kid in the neighborhood I grew up in, I stayed in an apartment with just my mom and I. I didn't have anyone to play with; no brother or sister. When I was out playing with a couple of the neighborhood kids, I saw a helpless little puppy that was limping on the street. I thought, 'how could someone be so cruel to leave this little creature out on the street?' It was drenched from the rain, covered in mud, and it was shivering a little.

"I went over and took a look at the puppy, and it was whimpering. I had wondered why no dog catcher was going around to claim this puppy to at least give him shelter. So, I wanted to be the one to give that to him. His name was Trek, and when my mom allowed me to take him in to take care of him, he was my companion whenever I needed him. He was one of the people who was there for me, and I thanked him by giving him the love and the home he deserved.

"This benefit will help fund the shelters to give these poor homeless animals the good treatment they deserve; it will provide them with medical care as well and healthy food to keep them strong and alive. I believe that with this charity, there will never be another starving dog who's sniffing around an alleyway for a piece of thrown out meat or a cat that's looking for a thrown out box to keep itself warm from the cold nights and rainy days. We will do whatever we can to provide these animals the care that they deserve."

I glanced back at Grandma who was smiling at me and I nodded at her. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Thank you all for coming today to celebrate this with us." A loud applause filled the air, and I could see people waving and grinning at me. It was all a bit overwhelming especially with the cameras pointed at us as we shook hands with the chairman of the animal clinic and shelter. I hoped that I made a convincing speech since it was from the heart. I didn't even expect myself to give such a long speech, but I guess when I'm talking about something that's meaningful and relatable to me, I tend to dive into it and try to sound as sincere as possible about it.

As people roamed around the park that the benefit was located at, Jason and Grandma approached me with grins. I could tell that she was excited and filled with glee because she was putting on a big smile. "Darling, that was a wonderful speech! I never knew you were such a speaker."

"And a very good one at that," Jason added, a smirked formed on his lips. Huh, that's new. Although I must say that it made him look... sexy.

"If you keep that up, I believe that you'll win the people over. Now if you'll both excuse me, I have to go around and greet some people." She waved a goodbye as she left me and Jason standing there in the middle of the field where people were walking their dogs and cats. Jason leaned over to me.