The Lady Ambrose

TWO

"Alright men. Tonight is going to go down in history." My father began his speech to the guards before guests started arriving. "All of your training, all of your years of service to the king, all of that has been building towards this. This is not just another ball, this is a chance for peace; we must ensure that everything goes smoothly."

"Yes sir!" The men saluted him.

He then started to give out instructions and positions for the men while I just stand watching, waiting for my orders.

As the men are dismissed to assume their positions, the king enters the room with his trusted adviser Ruben.

"I trust everything is well underway?" The king shakes my fathers hand.

"Indeed your highness. My men are in position and ready to receive King Montecroix and his family for the ball." My father smiled. "All that's left now is to wait for them to arrive."

"Excellent, thank you captain; I know I can always count on you." The king shook his hand again, then turned to me and took my hand gently. "I assume you are ready for tonight as well, Lady Nesrin?" He smiled warmly.

"Yes sir I am, your majesty," I bow slightly. "You won't be disappointed."

"I don't doubt that. You are so much like your father, I know you will make us proud." The king bowed slightly before standing up straight. "Now then, most of our guests have already arrived. Eunoia will make her appearance after we get word that the Montecroix's are here. You'll be presented right after her, Nesrin, and from that point on it will be your job to stay with her, socialize with her, and introduce her personally to Prince Montecroix. Understood?"

"Absolutely. You can depend on me." I smiled brightly.

The doors to the throne room flew open and in came one of the guards my father had just dismissed. He looked like he had something important to say but when he saw me he bit his lip.

"Philips? What is it?" My father questioned.

"Sir, if you'll please come with me, I must speak with you privately." Philips said, saluting my dad.

I gave him a concerned look, "this won't take long," he assured me. "Go get into position and I'll see you later."

I nodded nervously as I watched him leave. "I suppose I should head to my post as well."

"Yes indeed, I'll give you the signal when it's time for you to go get the princess from her room and bring her down for her announcement." The king replied. "Until then, I'd like you to stand at the ready just outside the ballroom. I'll send a servant to deliver the signal to you when it's time. Good luck, and thank you; you're doing my family a great service by doing this for Eunoia."

"Thank you for your kind words sir, it's an honor to do this for the princess; she is like a sister to me." I smiled. With one final bow, I left the room and went straight to my post.

The ball was amazing. So many men and women dressed to the nines just for the occasion. I've witnessed one or two balls here before but this time the spotlight will be on my princess and a little bit on me too.

"You look nervous Nessie." Felix came to stand beside me. "You gonna be okay?"

I gripped the sides of my dress tightly to hide my trembling hands. "I'll be fine, there's just a lot of pressure; a lot more than I imagined."