CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

10.

"Annelise, I am so excited.", Delilah said.
"Me too."

She was beyond excited for tonight. The wait of two weeks was finally over and tonight was the night. We were living in a residence chosen by the King himself. It was luxurious and all, but I preferred it simpler.

"Can you help me with my dress?", Caroline asked.
"Of course."

Caroline turned around and I helped her finish up with the blue sash.

"My children, I am incredibly proud of you all. Give your best and everything will go well.", Papa said.

Now we all had to wait.

The doors opened and the king walked in. We bowed.

"The time is now. I hope you have prepared yourselves well. Because if something goes wrong tonight, I will have you locked up for ruining the birthday ball of my son."

"We will not disappoint your majesty."
"Good. Please follow me."

He turned around and walked out. We followed him through the huge and glorious palace to the double doors.

"Stay here. Let them enter after all the guests arrived.", the king said to the guard.

I looked around. Was I nervous? Absolutely. I didn't want to spend the rest of my days in prison.

"I'm scared.", Yvonne said.
"Me too.", Caroline admitted.
"Don't worry. Everything will be alright. You have done your best and you will give your everything in there.", Papa said.

He was right. We prepared well enough.

***

"I want to thank you all for coming to the ball of the year. My son, Bastien, is finally old enough to become king and therefore needs to be introduced to his people. 22 years my son. Your mother would be proud of you. One day, you will tell all this to your son.", the king said.

"Your majesty, my family and I wish you the best for your birthday.", Papa said.

Yvonne stepped forward and handed him a few daisies. He kneeled down and smiled at her.

"Thank you so much. They're lovely."

Yvonne smiled.

"Let the celebration begin.", the King announced.

With those words, the ball began. Our first song was the Lonely Goatherd.

The nervousness was drawn on Delilahs' face. I gave her a reassuring squeeze of her hand. The orchestra began playing.

"High on a hill was a lonely goatherd
Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo
Loud was the voice of the lonely goatherd
Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo", Delilah began.

The guests were dancing. The King looked pleased. I began singing my verse in the song.

***

We were applauded and the orchestra began playing the melody to the Laendler. I was watching all the people with the swirling dresses. I was approached by a young man.

"Mademoiselle, may I have this dance?", he asked.
"I can't dance."
"I can show you."
"Alright."

He took my hand and began guiding me to the middle. He was the man I ran into. It was only now, that I realized that I was dancing with the crown prince.

"See, you can dance.", he said laughing.

I felt the stares of my siblings on my back. The dance came to an end. I bowed.

"You are a very good dancer."
"Thank you. So are you."
"Bastien, I want to dance.", his wife said.
"Of course. Thank you Mademoiselle.", he said, moving away with his wife.

I walked back to my place.

"Annelise, is there a chance that you just danced with the crown prince?"
"Maybe."
"Your face says it all!", Delilah said.

"I want your eyes on me!", I heard his wife yell.

The guards came up to us and guided us out of the room, back to our chamber. Once we were back, our fear rose.

"But we gave it our best.", Yvonne said.
"I know you all did."

The doors opened and the King entered the room.

"I must thank you. I haven't seen my son this happy for a long time. Congratulations. I was pleased. I have a carriage prepared for you. It will leave tomorrow morning."
"Thank you.", Papa said.

He nodded and left the room. Once the door closed, we let out a relieving breath.

"You heard the King. I am incredibly proud of you. I will immediately inform grandmother about it.", Papa said with a huge smile plastered on his face.

He walked out of the door with Madame Louisa. We stayed behind in the room and celebrated.