Disclaimer: I don't own Be My Princess, its princes, thier kingdoms, and their butlers. Only Phoenix, the Kingdom of Noreric, and its people are mine.
I turned to see Prince Keith. Him?! Why is HEasking me? I felt the shock showing on my face.
"Oh, it's you, my mistake. I guess any commoner can look the part from behind in the right attire." Prince Keith said, looking slightly perplexed.
Seriously? How rude! If he wants me to say yes, he's doing a terrible job at flattery. I could feel the shock turn into a glare.
"Well?" Prince Keith, I could tell, was getting slightly annoyed.
"Oh! Well, I..." Should I tell him I can't dance?
I could see a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Are you too amazed that you were asked by me to answer?"
"Hardly!" I said while roughly shaking his hand off my shoulder. Ugh, this guy's ego... "You see the fact is that I-"
"It doesn't matter. We've already drawn enough attention. You can't turn me down now. Unless you want to shame me? How would that look, a commoner turning down a prince?" He cut me off. I looked around the ballroom.
Just as he said, every woman's eyes were on us. I could see the disgust in their stares. Also, I could see Uncle looking at us, going pale as he watched me with the prince.
"That is not my intention, but do I have no choice in this matter? What about the freedom to do as I please?" I ask still upset. This isn't fair.
"Well, this isn't America, for one. Two, you should be honored that I even asked you." He put his hand out, palm up, waiting to receive my hand.
As if I'm going to take his... As I was thinking this, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out onto the floor. NO!
I couldn't believe how strong he was. I was resisting as best I could without making a scene, although it was too late for that. We stopped in the middle of the dance floor, then let go of my hand. The music started to play, as we faced each other, he bowed and I curtsied. Prince Keith again offered his hand for me to take.
"I've never danced this way before." I whispered looking down at the floor.
"That's why?" Prince Keith whispered. I heard him snickering.
Huh? Is he laughing at me? Before I could react he took my hand in his again and put his other hand at my waist pulling me closer to him. I knew I was to put my other hand on his shoulder, and did so.
"Look at me, Phoenix, and follow my lead." Prince Keith almost sounded gentle even though it was a command, and we began to dance. "Only one dance." He added roughly.
I did as I was told. Though looking past his head behind him. I kept trying to keep up with him.
"You've never really danced like this before?" He asked me, stunned.
I gave a small nod. I know this must look bad. "We don't dance like this in America, unless you want to take a class for this specific style." I told him, still avoiding his eyes.
"Look me in the eyes." Prince Keith commanded.
I did as he said. Oh, wow! His eyes are gorgeous! No, I can't think that way! I could feel the blush creep onto my cheeks.
Prince Keith was smirking as if he could read my mind. "Are you not filled with happiness that the first man to touch you like this is me?"
I rolled my eyes. Ignore it and keep dancing. It took all my will power not to walk away right then. "Only in your dreams would I be filled with happiness about that." I mustered to continue dancing with him.
I could tell he hadn't expected that comeback. "You have quite the mouth on you." Prince Keith said, which reminded me that I was only a commoner to him. It wasn't my place to, in his eyes, be so forward.
Shit. This is not going well. As I was thinking that, the music stopped and Prince Keith released me when the last note ended. Wow, he wasn't kidding about the one dance. Fine. By. Me. I saw Uncle on the sidelines of the dance floor beckoning me to get over there.
"Thank you for the dance." I gave a quick curtsey and started walking away. Unfortunately, a swarm of women surrounded Prince Keith, and I got caught in the middle of it. "Quit shoving, please!" I tried to work my way to the back of the crowd, but somehow ended up in the front, close to Prince Keith.
I saw an opening close by. Perfect! I started forward, but my heel got caught in my dress causing me to trip. Not again! I put my hands out to catch my fall and closed my eyes. The impact wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Actually, it wasn't as far as I thought it would be either. Why is it so quiet? I peeked open my eyes and saw a man's chest and felt strong arms around me. Good. Until I looked into the chest's owner's face. Not good!
It was Prince Keith, who looked astounded that it was me. Then his face hardened. "You!" He uttered, grabbed my wrist roughly, and pulled me out into the corridor. I looked to where Uncle had been, he wasn't there anymore. Where is he? The ballroom was in an uproar over what just happened, as we left.
"What do you think you were doing?" Prince Keith asked barely getting it out through gritted teeth.
"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I was trying to get away when my shoe got caught in my dress and the next thing I knew I was falling..." I tried to explain. Something obviously pissed him off, but what?
"In my country, after you dance with someone, if one embraces the other and the other returns it, it is considered a proposal for marriage." He had his hand covering his face not wanting to look at me.
"What!" No way! No way in hell, would I want to propose to this pompous prince! "Isn't that a bit ridiculous? To become engaged in that way?" I asked grasping for straws.
"It's not in practice much anymore, but it's still used in the upper circles of my nation." I could tell he was completely exasperated with me.
"But it was an accident! I tripped!" This cannot be happening!
"Phoenix!" Uncle appeared with Tarmo and Onni behind him.
"Uncle!" I couldn't be happier to see anyone at this moment.
"Uncle?" Prince Keith looked at my Uncle.
"She's only a close family friend's daughter, who I'm watching over while she's away from home. I brought her here, so I shall take responsibility for her actions. I am greatly sorry Prince Keith, for any trouble she has caused you tonight." Uncle made a quick bow.
"She's already insulted me several times, then this incident. If I didn't know any better, I would think she is plotting against me."
"Again, I'm sorry for Phoenix. She's not used to these types of events, nor does she know about other countries traditions."
"This is the second strike against her. What if there is a third?" Prince Keith asked still unconvinced.
"If Phoenix were to do something else offending to Liberty or its prince in any way, I will allow you to choose a punishment for her. I give you my word." Uncle says calmly.
Uncle? I look in his direction worried.He can't be serious! He looked as cool as a cucumber. I almost felt that Uncle were playing with Prince Keith.
"Alright then. I will go get this mess straightened out. Please keep her out of my sights." Prince Keith said as he left.
Ugh! I wanted to open my mouth and give him a piece of my mind, but before I could utter a word, Onni and Tarmo covered my mouth with their hands. Once Prince Keith was out of our sights, Uncle spoke.
"Phoenix, go back to your room and get ready to depart." Uncle said sternly. My feeling was right. Uncle had already decided we were leaving, and if I'm not here, I can't do anything to offend His Royal Highness.
I pulled my butlers' hands from my mouth. "Alright." I said resigned.
We parted ways there. I was tired and ready to leave anyway.
As I was walking back to my room I heard a group of women coming towards me. I hid behind a pillar so I wouldn't be seen.
"Can you believe that girl, throwing herself all over Prince Keith, what a slut." One girl said. Okay, that stung a little.
"Do you think they're really engaged?" Another asked.
I heard laughter from the others. "As if. She's a total nobody. Prince Keith wouldn't be marrying her."
"Plus she's so plain!" I dug my nails into the pillar to keep myself rooted to the spot. If it weren't for the fact that I was on such a short lease already... And I am not plain! That was one of the last words anyone would use to describe me.
They finally walked out of my earshot and I could no longer hear their footsteps. I then heard a crashing sound coming from the way the women went. What was that? Without much thought, I walked towards the sound of the noise.
Oh no! There was shards of crystal all over the floor. I think it was a vase. What should I do? Should I go get someone to clean this up?
As I was thinking of what to do, I heard some more footsteps, then heard some gasps of unbelief to my back. I turned and wanted to die.Not again! Not him!
There stood Prince Keith and his butler Luke with identical looks of horror. I had a bad feeling about this vase. That bad feeling was soon confirmed.
"The vase from the past King of Liberty given to Lord Micheal! Ruined!" Luke said looking at the pieces on the floor horrified.
Damn my curiosity! If only I had ignored the noise and gone to my room as Uncle told me to do.
"You!" Prince Keith was in shock at seeing me. "You did this?" He started toward me.
I took steps back with every one of his coming towards me. "I didn't do this! I was going to my room when I heard the crash, and came to see what it was, I swear!"This is bad!
"Third strike! Luke, she's coming with us!" Prince Keith yelled. He was beyond pissed.
Not gonna lie. I'm scared. I could feel the fear showing on my face. "But...But..."
"No. Your uncle said if you did anything else against me tonight, I could punish you. You're coming to Liberty, so I can keep an eye on you." With that he started to walk away.
"Shouldn't it be the other way around?" I asked without thinking.
He stopped and turned. "Explain?" He commanded.
"Shouldn't my punishment be to stay away from you and Liberty?"
"So then you can plan other ways to insult me? No, you're coming so I can keep you in line." With that he turned on his heel and rounded the corner.
"Come with me." Luke somewhat roughly grabbed my arm and pulled me along.
"Can I at least let my Uncle know what happened?" I asked Luke. Maybe Uncle could get me out of this? But I already doubted that possibility. He gave his word to Prince Keith. It wouldn't look good to go back on it.
"Phoenix!" Before Luke could even respond, Tarmo was running after us. "Luke, let her go!"
"I can't. They're my orders from His Highness. She is to come to Liberty so he can keep an eye on her." Luke said regretfully.
"But-" Tarmo looked worried.
"His Majesty said if I did anything else, Prince Keith would be allowed to give me a punishment. But I didn't do it!" I told him pleadingly.
"Phoenix, what happened?" Tarmo asked calmly.
"I was on my way back to my room, when I heard a group of women coming, so I hid behind a pillar. Once they were gone, I came out and heard a noise of something shattering. So, I went to see what it was. It was a vase that was a present to Noble Micheal from Liberty. I was trying to figure out what to do, when Prince Keith and Luke showed up and they thought I did it." I explained calmly.
"There you have it, Luke. She didn't break the vase!" Tarmo said putting a hand on Luke's, prying his hand of my arm.
"That is only her word, which His Highness does not believe. So as far as we know she is responsible." Luke said re-grabbing my arm and starting down the hallway again.
"Phoenix!" Uh-oh! I could hear the outrage in Uncle's voice. Luke stopped upon seeing him. "How could you! After I told you to go to your room and get ready to leave, you go and do something else to that prince!" I could see Onni following behind Uncle.
"I didn't do anything! It's all a misunderstanding!" I was ready to just cry. I was so irritated and scared of what was happening.
"Then why is he taking you to Liberty?" Uncle asked. Apparently he was somewhat filled in.
"A vase got broken. I heard the noise and went to see what it was, then Prince Keith and Luke showed up and blamed me, and won't listen to me, when I say 'I'm innocent!'" I hung my head once I was finished.
"Since he doesn't believe you, that makes it your third strike. I gave my word, so my hands are tied at the moment. But I'll come for you as soon as I can. Please don't do anything to get yourself executed!" I wasn't sure if he was pleading or joking.
"Executed?!"
"The vase could be considered enough of a charge, as it is, but I'm sure His Highness has something different planned." Luke tried to reassure me and Uncle. "Now, we must be going. Unless, you want His Highness angrier at us."
"Take her. Please take good care of her. She is important to me." Uncle pleaded with Luke.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Luke bowed and took me to the limo where an upset Prince Keith sat fuming.
"It's about time!" Prince Keith yelled once we were in the car.
"Sorry, Your Highness. His Majesty needed to have a word with her." Luke told him.
"Fine! Let's go!"
That was all that was said the whole way back to Liberty. Prince Keith just looked out the car window. Once we got to the jet, he ignored me and looked out the window again.
I guess it was better that way. It didn't allow us a chance to talk, for me to say something else to piss him off further, and get myself executed. But the silence was terrible. I was left alone with my thoughts to roam wild with what Prince Keith would do for my punishment, because I was sure taking me to Liberty wasn't all he planned to do.
~)~~~~
Once we arrived at the manse, I was lead down countless halls by Luke and Prince Keith. We stopped outside a door. Luke opened it and gestured for me to enter.
It was was quite grand. Not as nice as my room at the palace, but definitely better than my apartment. Seriously? I thought I was in trouble?
Prince Keith was watching me, and guessed what I was thinking. "This is probably more than what a commoner is used to. Technically you're a guest, but you have to deal with your punishment. For that punishment, you're to serve here as a maid." He said smugly.
SAY WHAT!?I can't believe this! A MAID! He's kidding right?! I could feel the utter shock on my face.
"So get a good rest, because tomorrow, the work begins. Luke, give her what we discussed earlier." Keith kept going, looking proud of himself.
"Of course, Your Highness." Luke handed me a cell phone.
"Huh? I already have a phone." I was completely dumbstruck by this offering.
"It has a tracker in it, so I can always know where you are and get a hold of you. You are to keep it on you at all times." Prince Keith explained matter-o-factly.
I wasn't quite sure what was about to come out of my mouth, but as soon as I opened it to give him a piece of my mind, Prince Keith added, "Remember your place, and why you are here." I closed my mouth and he continued. "You will wear this, and your uniform, which you will receive tomorrow, and you will do as you are told, without complaint."
Remembering what I had talked about with Uncle, I mutely nodded my head.
"Good! Let's go, Luke!" Prince Keith turned on his heel and walked out the door, with Luke quietly following behind. Once the door shut, I flung myself on the bed. I could feel the tears coming now.
I'm such an idiot! Why couldn't I have just kept my mouth shut? Why did I have to let him get under my skin? Why did this have to happen to me?
I quietly sobbed into my pillow, using it to muffle the sounds of my sobs. Soon I was asleep. My last thoughts being: If I'm stuck here, I will make the best of it. I will prove to that prince that he was wrong about me...if it's the last thing I do. He will not get the best of me, either.
That was how I ended up at Liberty Kingdom with its pompous prince.
So what do you guys think? Please review, and let me know what you think!
