Pirate Princess

The ball

I laid awake all night that day. What if everyone at this ball was a chinless wonder like James? What if he was as could as it could get? Would I be damned to spend the rest of my days listening to him gamble about his love for old weapons and perfume?

On the other hand this ball may be the opportunity to meet the love of my life. Maybe there was a noble man out there with the ability to sweep me off my feet instantly that will make me the happiest I've ever been? That was probably just wishful thinking.

For me, part of growing up was learning that although I am a princess, life is not a fairytale.

The whole day I spent my time watching the workers prepare the ball and listened to my teacher's endless lectures about how I should behave and what I would be wearing.

„Don't talk while chewing, keep your chin up, straighten your back, smile gracefully, stop running around, walk like a lady, talk like a lady, ..."
I could go on for hours...

To be fair, the dress that I was supposed to wear looked absolutely stunning. It was a light pink gown with small flowers embroidered on the upper half and it clung to my body like it was made for me...it probably was.

Anyways, the only thing that I disliked about it was the corset. I know a woman my age and especially a princess should be used to wearing this tight waist prison but I just could not accustom to the lack of freedom that came with it.

I sat by the window and let my eyes wander around over the sea, trying to spot a ship. The dock was full of people, fishermen, folks enjoying the view and a group of seamen boarding a gigantic ship. I wondered what they were up to. Maybe an adventure?

I sighed, turning away from the window. Tomorrow was going to be a long day...

The evening of the ball came pretty quickly and soon the first people started arriving until the whole ballroom was full of noble visitors.
My father had prepared a speech to greet the suitors and the whole room listened in anticipation:

„Welcome everyone. Today is a very special day because it is the day my lovely daughter Princess Amelia will choose her soon to be wed- husband. I am overjoyed to see her take on this big step and can not wait to get to know my future son in law. Until then, let us feast and enjoy the music, played by the royal quartet!"

Everybody cheered and went back to talking to each other. I tried my hardest to get to know everyone but James made it really difficult for me to do so.
He clung to me like he was actually my first choice and always said things to manipulate my opinions on the other suitors.

After about two hours of me barely getting to know anyone I had enough: „James could you please stop following me around? Don't you understand that this whole ball is just because I do not want to be with you?" I spat and swirled around angrily.

I know, not very ladylike of me...maybe I'm not a lady, never have been, never will be.

I could feel his eyes burning holes into my back, maybe it was not the most ladylike way to handle the situation but it certainly helped to create some distance between him and I.

Just when I was about to talk to a group of noble people a shot echoed through the room. Everybody gasped and looked around in panic, trying to locate the origin of the bullet. As if by a silent command, all the guests suddenly started running towards the exits.

The guards tried their best to calm the panicking crowd down but their efforts were in vain.

„We're being attacked!!" somebody shouted and everybody screamed, trying to reach the door and hide somewhere in the building. Who was attacking us??

I quickly joined a big crowd of people and hurried with them out the door. They were headed to the bathrooms, which I found to be a rather silly idea. I decided that running along the hallway to reach the backdoor was safer. I figured that being in the bathroom would just trap us all in one place with no way to escape. The attackers would easily be able to tackle us there.

„Amelia wait" I heard James behind me, panting, trying to catch up. „I will protect you!" he said and strutted proudly with his sword in his hand. Maybe he was actually useful for once.

We reached the backdoor without any problems. After that it would be easy to get into the castle safely, I thought but as soon as we stepped outside we saw that the attackers were already waiting for us as if they knew exactly where we were headed. I gasped and tried to back up but James stood in the doorway, frozen in fear.

„P-p-p-pirates!" he stuttered and I felt all the color drain from my face.

„Well, well, well" a deep voice in the shadow of a tree said. I was unable to see the man but I was sure he was a cruel pirate that would not hesitate to kill us instantly.

Suddenly James left his position and stood in front of me with his sword pointed towards the shadow. „Oh how sweet" the shadow chuckled „a heroic wuss"

I could clearly hear the derision in his voice.

„What do you want? Gold? I can give you my gold if you let us go unharmed" I said, trying to calm the shakiness of my voice.

„Well princess I'm sorry but we're actually here for you" the deep voice purred and I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. This couldn't be happening.

The man took a step out of the shadow and I could see his saber glisten in the light.

James stumbled a few steps backwards and was now hiding behind me, using me as a shield: „Take her but please don't hurt me" he pleaded.

So much for „I will protect you" ...

They pirates looked at him in confusion and I quickly used my chance and started screaming for help, maybe one of the guards was close and would be able to help us but I was quickly silenced by a hand covering my mouth.

I heard a thump behind me and saw that James had fainted.

„Let go of me" I mumbled and pulled out of the grip of the pirate. He was now finally visible and he was younger than I thought, maybe a few summers older than me. He had black messy hair and dark, almost black eyes. „Now princess, we can do this the easy or the difficult way, you decide" he smirked and showed his white teeth.

But he messed with the wrong princess, I was not going to give up so easily.

„Oh you would like me to be so scared to surrender but trust me Pirate, I won't give in that easily" I spat and tried to make a run for it.

I knew every corner, every hiding spot in this park and if I was just quick enough, I would be able to reach the castle. He looked puzzled for a moment, he surely didn't expect this reaction but soon afterwards I was able to make out loud footsteps chasing after me.

Damn this corset and these shoes I thought. I wasn't able to move as swiftly and it didn't help my endurance either. I quickly hid behind a huge bush, hoping he would keep running but instead I couldn't see him anymore.

I was panting like crazy, the corset now restricting my breathing more than ever. My heart was beating rapidly as I cowered behind the bush as quietly as possible. Minutes passed and I was almost certain I had lost them when I was suddenly grabbed by my waist from behind, I screeched but was silenced by a cloth being pressed to my moth and nose that smelled very strong.

I felt my vision get blurry and soon darkness took over.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey lovelies,
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Have a nice day!