He met in the secret room with his true love. They'd been together for a year now, but telling anyone would be a sin. No girl under 16 was permitted to court, much less date or be in love.
"Is everything prepared," the beautiful girl asked him as she stared up at him. He nodded, his arms wrapping around her narrow waist.
"Yes. At precisely 10:25, the gunshot will go off, killing the target." She smiled with satisfaction.
"Good. Everything will go smoothly after that."
Massie stood off to the side of the ballroom with her friends, speaking in hushed tones. The orchestra was playing heavenly music, but only parents and former Primes were waltzing.
"What if no one asks us to dance," Dylan asked nervously as she scanned the large room.
"They're not supposed to. We have dance cards, remember? Every slot in mine in filled," Alicia announced smugly.
"The first three are free for me," Massie replied, ignoring Alicia's tone. "I suppose some boys are just so intimidated."
"Oo! Three dances for Derrick and Cameron to fight over," Kristen teased. She was convinced that Derrick and Cameron fancied Massie, who was adament with them remaining as just friends.
"Oh hush! You're just jealous because I can just be friends with boys and you go crazy at the mere sight of one. Wait. Do you hear that?" Royally Cherished strained their ears to hear over the music. The voice of a girl speaking could slightly be heard. "Let's spy," Massie suggested. She inched forward around to the hallway and stopped. The girl speaking was Depnia, her back facing them, and she was conversing with five other girls.
"Yes, I will most likely be the newest member of Royally Cherished. After all, Massie and I are already best friends. And I feel like the other girls and I are...like sisters, but with a deeper connection." Massie rolled her eyes and turned towards her friends, mimicking Depnia.
"Yes, I saw you enter their room," Princess Henalie Jerrette, one of the girls swarming around Depnia said. "What are they like?"
"Well," Depnia sighed. "They appear to be nice, but when alone they are complete and utter-".
"Sweethearts," Massie cut in. Depnia whirled around, her skin pale. "That is what you were going to say, right, Depnia?" Depnia regained her composure.
"Actually, I was going to say angels. But if you prefer sweethearts, then sweethearts it is," she replied coolly.
"It's not polite to tell lies, Depnia," Alicia hissed. "I would suggest watching your step."
"Alicia, please. Let's not stoop to her floor-height level; we are very much above that," Kristen added, her eyes taunting.
"You will never be in Royally Cherished. We don't like you, and we didn't ask you to join us in resting; you barged in. There is the real story for you," Massie told the girls watching.
The five girls scurried away, one of them saying, "Depnia will never learn; Massie always will be alpha female."
"May I have this dance," Josh asked Alicia. Alicia looked back at Massie with excitement before accepting and heading to the dance floor. One by one her friends were asked and Massie and Claire were left. Even Depnia was dancing with...Cam?
"I can't believe he's dancing with Depnia," Massie commented to Claire. Depnia was clinging onto Cameron as if life depended on it. They turned and Depnia caught Massie's eye, slowly breaking into a smug grin, and held Cameron even closer. This was already sparking gossip, as the Prime, young and old leaned into each other to discuss the couple. Cam whispered something in Depnia's ear, who in return, giggled.
That should be me, she thought bitterly. What am I saying? I don't want that to be me...but I don't want it to be Depnia either. Massie was so deep in thought she didn't notice when Claire got up to dance or when Depnia stormed away from Cameron, until a shadow formed over her.
"Would you care to dance, Lady Massie?" Massie looked up to see Cam with his hand stretched out. She smiled and stood up. As they twirled on the ballroom floor, she said, "You and Depnia were looking quite cozy a few minutes ago. Where did the ice queen go," she asked amused.
"Be nice," he warned, but his grin said otherwise. "She's very, er, charming, but...she did not make an effort at dancing! I was practically carrying her, for heavens' sake!" Massie laughed.
"Well I hope I'm doing this box step correctly. I wouldn't want you to drop me because I wouldn't stop hanging on you, like some curtains."
"Aha! So you were watching us. Jealous, perhaps," he whispered in her ear, giving her tingles.
"I, jealous? Of that...that...scrap? Never!" She leaned her head on his shoulder, both of them now swaying to the music.
"Good. You shouldn't be. And anyway, I told her that I'd like to dance with you, and she became angry, then stalked away." Massie blushed and left her head on his broad shoulder, but then remembered something.
"Why were you my escort and not Derrick?" Massie looked up to a smiling Prince.
"Derrick had nothing to do with the switch. I wanted so badly to be your escort to your first season ball, so instead of being Claire's escort, I cut ahead of dear Derrick at last minute, leaving him with no time to protest."
Massie gasped. "Cameron! That was unbearably rude. You should apologize to Derrick." Cam pulled her closer.
"Later. Right now, let's just enjoy each others company." But before she could respond, someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to see a tall, lanky boy, blushing furiously to his brown hair. Earl George Barthworth, Massie remembered. A shy boy, but a sweet and innocent one.
"H-hi Princess Massie, Prince C-C-Cameron. I apologize, but I'm next on the Princesses dance card." Cameron looked down and examined the card around Massie's neck.
"Indeed, he has you, so I will let you go, but I will catch up to you later." He winked and strolled away into the throng of people until Massie could no longer see him. She sighed as Earl George Barthworth stepped on her silk slippers twice in under thirty seconds. "Sorry," he muttered for the third time since beginning the dance. It was going to be a long night, and it was only striking nine.
After dancing with four more people, a person Massie was actually happy to see, asked her to dance. Derrick was also handsome with dirty-blond, shaggy curly hair that just caressed his eyelashes. He had big brown eyes, and a great body from regularly horse-riding and exercising. "So how has your evening gone so far," he questioned with a knowing smile. "I trust you are enjoying yourself."
"Just the opposite. Earl Barthworth hardly touched me while we dance, as with Prince Zeylen. Prince Lawrence basically attempted to grope my...bum." Massie blushed.
Speaking of body parts was considered inappropriate. But Derrick was one of her best friends, one she noticed was very attractive-looking. Judging by the number of girls sneaking looks at him, they thought so too. Girls were giving Massie envious looks while they danced with their partners.
It's no secret that Derrick and Cameron will be the first two to be courted off. They're both handsome, charming, and more to list. I just hope their brides-to-be will be able to keep up with them, Massie pondered. Derrick chuckled softly.
"Well you certainly have plenty of admirers," he replied, spinning her quickly.
"As do you," Massie countered. "They all will ambush you during free dance, later in the evening."
"Well yours look as if they want you rip you out my arms as of this moment," Derrick replied. Massie didn't know how to respond to that so she remained silent until the song was over.
"Dare I say, you look smashing this evening, Princess," the Marquess of Duchington, Garrett Hemlumt said to Massie. Even though he was staring at Massie's eyes, she knew he was probably looking at his reflection in them, being his vain nature. Massie resisted the urge to roll her eyes at his obvious schmoozing.
With a tight-lipped smile, she replied, "As do you, Garrett."
He grinned vacantly at her eyes, blatantly checking himself out. "Yes, I know. My suit was made from the finest materials money can buy." What a jerk. It is customary politeness to acknowledge a compliment and say thank you, Massie thought, internally glaring at her dance partner. In real life, she turned her face to the side, looking for Claire or one of her other friends to rescue her, but Claire was out of sight and the rest were dancing.
"Mm," she responded. Just then, a gunshot went off, causing mayhem in the whole ballroom. Sir Garrett jumped behind Massie to protect himself. Of course, Massie thought as she fled from being Sir Garrett's shield.
"The King of Quailred has been hit," Massie's mother shrieked. Massie's eyes widened and she immediately rushed to her fathers' side. He was lying on the ground, paramedics attempting to place him on a stretcher. "I'll be alright," the King said weakly, managing a meek smile. "It just grazed my arm, I'll be fine," he repeated, and was lifted and taken away.
The crowd was silent as the king was carried away in a carriage, the mood now dead. "The hit man got away, your majesty," a guard informed her mother. "Anything else you would like for us to do?"
"I will be closing the party early. I would like to see everyone one of these people in their rooms safely. Is that clear?"
The guard nodded. "Yes, Queen Block." Her mother waved the guard away.
"You are dismissed." The guard bowed before retreated down the steps.
Massie admired her mother for still being able to perform her royal duties while her husband was just shot not less than five minutes ago. She hoped that if she should take throne with her husband, that she will be able to rule as well as her.
"Massie! What happened? I heard a gunshot," Claire asked, suddenly appearing at Massie's side. "Why was your father being carried away."
Massie swiveled her head to the side to glare at Claire. "Are you daft?" Claire simply looked down and away. Massie sighed and said, "My father was shot."
Claire's head snapped up, her eyes wide. "Oh my goodness, Mass! I'm so sorry! Killed on your Coming Out ball." She flung her arms around Massie, who wriggled her way out.
"My father's not dead! The bullet just grazed his arm." She examined Claire's face. "Where were you? I've been looking for you for the past ten minutes."
"I just needed to use the powder room." Massie ran her eyes over Claire's face again and shrugged and turned her attention to her mother.
"Attention Prime! As you all know, my husband, the King of Quailred has been targeted by a hit man, therefore, I have no choice, but to end the Coming Out Ball early. I am deeply sorry for any inconvenience," Queen Block apologized. "A guard will escort you to your stays."
Massie stretched. "Princess Massie? I have orders to direct you to your hotel room," a guard told her. Massie nodded and followed the guard.
As they headed down the hallway, someone grabbed her and pulled her a side that jutted out, secluding them from view of the hallway. Before she could scream, the person covered her mouth.
"I thought you would have known it was me, Block." She instantly relaxed, hearing Derrick's voice.
She pounded her fist against his chest. "Derrick! You need to stop doing that. Pulling me into strange places at unexpected times is very stressful."
"I just needed to ask you something."
CLIFFY! Well not really. I think you all know what he's going to say, but if you don't, that's cool too! So how was that? Probably super-duper sucky. And sorry if chapters are short, my phones Microsoft Word trial ended, so I have a regular word without all the fancy schmancy crap. I can't find out if I have over 2000 words, like I aim for, or if I spelled a word right because the 'premium version' allows those. So updates may take longer because I have to email it then edit it from my computer. Well read and review!
Review Replies!
Azal Arabo: Thanks for reviewing bestie! And don't worry, I told you on Facebook I'll keep you posted and I will call you tonight J
BellaMelt: I allow anonymous review because some people who read don't have accounts on here, or don't feel like logging on, so I give them no excuse to not review! Thanks so much.
Team Klondike: Yeahhhh buddy! I think I know who this is, and I WILL contact you with my cellular device this evening of this day. Counterfeit $20 bills and weird McDonalds servers haha
Also, sorry if you are deeply in love with West Coast Wannabe, but I'm putting that on hiatus for now. I think this story is going to improve my writing skill by FIFTYGABILLIONTONS. So, I apologize for that, but I might write another chapter for it if enough people review or message me with a request.
Please review this story, or I'll get bored and not write it! And it's supposed to turn out really, really awesome. Ok byelo!
Love, Shai :)
P.S. A few things have been changed in chapter one, so check that out!