"So should we work on the ball first then invite guests or invite them first then prepare the ball?" He asks me.
We're planning the ball.
"I think we should invite people first then prepare, because it gives them time to pick outfits and anticipate the big event," I tell him.
He smiles, "Quite a good idea. Let's get working on the invites, shall we?"
♕
We sit at the long dinner table.
"So which kingdoms do we invite?" He asks me.
"All of them, I suppose."
I'm not particularly looking forward to the ball. They have never been my strong suit. I just feel them to be unnecessary. I've been invited to many but none of them I attend. I find them too dull. The only time I've attended any were our own, and I usually just cower in the corner. But now the whole ball is focused on me, and if there's one thing I hate, it's being the center of attention.
♕
"What're your thoughts on decorations?" Matthew asks me.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, like what's the theme?"
"Hmm..."
I think about it.
"How about a Masquerade ball?"
"Oooh, that would be magnificent! That would be so mysterious! I like that! Come on, let's go shopping!"
♕
Matthew and I wander the streets of the market, hoping to find some sort of mask for the ball.
We're walking when all of a sudden someone bumps into me.
"I'm so sorry," the man looks up at my face, "Oh, your highness!" He gets down on his knees.
"Jonathan! How I miss you! But do get up. I'm trying to go incognito."
Jonathan is an ex-knight. And my ex-boyfriend.
"Matthew, meet Jonathan. He worked for me," I smile.
"Why hello there! I too work for the prince," he shakes Jonathan's hand.
"Is he, uh..." Jonathan looks from me to Matthew.
"Oh! Um, no," I blush.
Matthew is bright red.
"Well, nice bumping into you. Your Highness," he bows, "But I must get going. Goodbye!" He dashes off.
"Well. He seemed nice," Matthew says.
♕
"How's this?" Matthew asks me. He's holding up a green mask. "I think it would look great with your green tailcoat, plus, it matches your eyes. You'll be the most dashing man there!"
"I like it!" I grin. "Let's buy it!"
♕
"So..." Matthew says as we walk back to the castle, "Did you and Jonathan...uh...date?"
"Yes. He was my first boyfriend. But then it just wasn't working out and he quit. Too bad, really. He's such a nice guy."
"Yes, he seems quite alright." I can tell he's jealous.
"But he's not the right guy for me. I have my eye on someone else."
YOU ARE READING
A Royal Pain
Teen FictionNathaniel Goldstone is the only child belonging to a royal family in medieval England. The only problem is, he won't get so much as a pound of his family's riches and must give up his throne to his uncle unless he marries by his twentieth birthday...
