A Treasured Love

A Ball To All Who Comes

King Cedric decided to have a ball to welcome prince Gerald into their kingdom. In other words, Nina was going to be dressed up and shown off to everyone at a ball. Nina was dressed up into a puffy purple princess dress and matching heels. Her father insisted she wear heels all the time, for she was incredibly short for her age. Her hair was curled and left to hang past her shoulder, by her mother's request.

"There you are, Milady," Nina's maid exclaimed after proudly showing Nina her work. Several braids were wrapped toward  the back of her hair to keep the remaining hair off her face. The braids also held her crown into place up top her head.

"Its beautiful, Moria." Nina smiled and stood to face her maid. "Thank you."

"It is always my pleasure, lady Nina," Moria, her older maid, bowed to her as Nina left for the ball room.

The castle was filled with people, sparkles, and the aroma of delicious foods. The ballroom was more of a porch to Nina, for there were pillars along one wall of the ballroom which lead out to the beach. The lights from the ball danced on the oceans waves. The room was filled with dukes, duchesses, kings, queens, princes, and other high anarchy people. Nina was accustomed to such people being at her home, that balls felt more like family reunions. She scanned the room until her eyes locked onto her mother.

Her mother was a beautiful women with long dark brown hair that touched her lower back. Her mother was dressed like Nina, but silver was more shown in her gown. Nina raced to her mother and hugged her with overpowering joy. "Mother!!"

The queen laughed happily and she held her daughter in her arms. 'Hello, child, my don't you look wonderful. Moria out did herself again."

"Oh mother," Nina released her mother from her embrace, "I have missed you dearly. Father sad that your duties have made you to busy for fun as of late."

"Alas, my child, it is true." Her and Nina gently float across the room as they speak. "We are having a terrible time with thieves and pirates in our smaller villages. Since your father has stuck to only finding a prince for you, I am forced to protect our people by myself."

"I could help mother. I would go into the towns with you."

The queen smiled as they stood by one of the pillars leading outside. "I know you would, my Nina, but It is too dangerous. You are a young woman. Your place is here for now. Learn what you can, and on your twenty first birthday, I will take you to all the villages with me."

"As you wish moth-"

"Nina!" A voice called out from across the room.

Nina turned to see prince Gerald running toward her. She bowed respectfully and extended her hand to him. He happily, or she thought he was happy, took her hand and kissed it. He looked at Nina and said, "You look beautiful. Care you join me out on the beach?"

"Thank you," She politely took her hand back, "but I would rather stay here. This ball is in your honor. It would be rude to leave."