A/N: I guess I've decided my Prince. Or have I? ;) Anything could happen, but this is what ended up happening today. Please R&R. Thanks for reading in advance. Didn't really read over it too well, but if you catch anything bad let me know. Enjoy.
*~Chapter Two~*
"Miss Skylar!" Prince Edward called out from afar.
"Crap." Skylar muttered under her breath.
No more than two steps past them, and they saw her immediately. It was an imminent thing. Skylar just wished it was prolonged a moment or two. With a sigh, Skylar turned to face the five princes grouped together in the room and trudged over every step of the way. Once she reached them, their faces critically analyzing her, she feigned a smile and a bow of the head toward Edward.
"Hello Prince Edward." Skylar swiveled her gaze around at the princes surrounding, "Hello to you all."
Prince Keith snorted and barely kept eye contact with her as he turned to Prince Joshua.
She cleared her throat at the awkward silence, "Am I not welcome?"
Prince Roberto's eyes widened, "Of course you are! Keithster is just mad because he had to force you to dance."
Prince Keith's eyes lit aflame as did his cheeks, "That… was not how it happened," He scrunched his nose, "and don't call me Keithster!"
Prince Joshua smirked, "She denied you? You told me a completely different story." He turned his gaze to Skylar, "There is no way you are a commoner either."
She felt his violet eyes pierce her own as her heart pounded against her chest, "She is a commoner, but a wonderful woman nonetheless." Prince Edward added for her benefit.
Prince Joshua's brow knitted in disappointment then turned from her face, "What a shame." He whispered under his breath. Skylar felt a heavy weight press on her heart as she sighed.
"Well, Skylar, I see no problem." Prince Roberto chirped happily and rested an arm around her, "Perhaps you'd like to dance with me after you gave Keithster his chance."
Prince Keith frowned, "I grow tired of these pointless nicknames you give us Prince Roberto."
Skylar sighed and felt her skin heat up at the close contact of the doe-eyed Prince of Altaria. These men were exhausting yet entertaining. They warmed her heart with familiarity and happiness, but was this because of their almost 'normal' antics among themselves? It felt as if she were watching a close group of friends from university. At least she had graduated earlier in the spring. Skylar still missed her old friends and classes. These princes reminded her vaguely of her older twin brothers and classmates.
"Wills!" Prince Roberto called out at the blonde prince who had kept silent, " Aren't you going to speak up?"
Skylar peered over at Prince Wilfred who watched them with a cool expression, "I won't bite, Prince Wilfred." She assured before giving him a polite curtsy, "I'm Skylar RaShae, Your Highness."
She heard a humph come from Prince Keith while Wilfred smiled back at her, "It's a pleasure." He muttered with a bow of the head.
"Now we're all acquainted!" Roberto said cheerfully as he released Skylar.
"She was far more polite to the rest of you than she was to I." Prince Keith grumbled from his spot beside Prince Joshua.
Edward laughed, "Perhaps it was not so much her as it was you, my friend."
Keith rolled his eyes, "I was a complete gentleman."
"If you insist." Skylar spoke aloud with a snort, "I'd hate to see you actually intending to be rude then."
Roberto burst out in laughter as he came round to Keith who glared her down in anger, "You should mind how you talk to a prince."
Roberto patted his back, "It's as if Keithster feels spurned by her rejection." The brown headed prince stated, "Or is it intrigue of the beauty?"
While Prince Keith defended himself and his flushed cheeks, Skylar's face burned. She remembered dancing with the rude green-eyed prince. He was a prince when he had held her so close to him and refused to release her eyes. The very thought of it just caused her mind to lose track of reality. Recalling the conversation with Prince Glenn piqued her interest in her daydreams and wish than the conversation in front of her.
Prince Joshua downed his glass of red wine and glanced around at the princes who continued to converse. Even Prince Keith focused arguing with Prince Roberto more than he should have. Prince Edward gently tried to break up the two as Prince Wilfred commented about the eyes set on them from around the room. It seemed a scene set for the world to view and gossip about.
Prince Keith spotted this then quickly backed down from Prince Roberto's playful arguing that fueled his anger. The nicknames were not as tolerable as the Prince of Altaria himself. Even then the prince was more than a little irritating. Prince Joshua and Prince Edward took the time to keep their mouths shut. Their maturity showed in those moments as Keith fumed. Wilfred kept a cold expression on his face as he silently observed the princes and Skylar. Soon the scene had vanished before it had begun and silence dominated the group.
Skylar took this short moment to speak up, "I think I'll head to the powder room." The princes stared at her as she spoke, "Good evening, princes."
Prince Edward stopped her before she could turn away, "Don't let us frighten you away, Skylar. We get on like this all the time."
"That isn't the case." She assured with a grin, "I think the wine is just getting to me. I just need some fresh air."
"If you say so, Skylar. Just return to us quickly." Prince Roberto spoke with a smile and encouraging chipper look in his eyes.
It was fascinating being around them, but it only dawned on Skylar more that she was in some fairy tale world. There was no way she could truly befriend the princes so quickly. That's just not the way things were. Surely she'd go home this evening with a smile, but Skylar would wake up and recall tonight as if it were some long forgotten dream. Maybe she just didn't want to get attached. It frightened her to think of becoming accustomed the princes and their personalities only to become a nobody in their eyes again. Staying a nobody would be simpler.
Skylar headed back toward the balcony as Prince Roberto watched from where she left them, "Does she know the powder rooms were on the opposite hall near the entrance?"
"I don't think that's where she really wanted to go." Prince Wilfred noted, "She seems to be enjoying herself, but I think she wishes to be alone for now." Everyone seemed surprised that the usually quiet and cool prince had paid attention to her more than they had.
"Pfft, I don't know why she has to be so… common." Prince Keith mumbled without any real insult in his words. Only his tone was insulting.
Prince Roberto cocked a brow at him before seriousness overtook his usually happy face, "Perhaps you said something you shouldn't have."
Keith's shuddered and his cheeks warmed, "What would give you that idea?"
Prince Edward's eyes grew dark, "Her mood did damper when he came over to us earlier. When he insulted her, she didn't comment on it, so I thought she chose to ignore it."
Prince Joshua steered back with wide eyes, "You insulted her?"
Keith felt surrounded by the pair of eyes that glared him down, "Not like that."
"Even if she is a commoner that is not appropriate behavior of a Prince." Joshua commented with his nose stuck up at Keith.
Prince Keith grumbled, "Whatever." He turned away from the princes and headed out the door Skylar had left through.
He could at least apologize. If not to get the other princes off his back, but to ease the guilt in his mind.
Skylar found her way to the balcony again and inhaled the night air with one giant gulp. It's so beautiful. She recalled her wish and her time spent with Prince Glenn outside with a fondness. He was charming… in his own way. In a way, so were the other princes. Even Prince Keith. Despite his brutish attitude.
Prince Glenn seemed the type to want to be treated as a man instead of a boy. Skylar was sure that the other princes treated him as such. They are in their mid-twenties as was she, but Prince Glenn couldn't have eighteen or nineteen. I'm only twenty-two, if he's that young, he couldn't see me as anything but a "matronly figure". Skylar shuddered at the idea.
She leaned forward on the railing and cradled her face in her hands. I would love to see him again.
"Skylar." A frustrated voice called out.
She didn't even have to turn around as she stayed put, "What is it, Your Highness?"
Prince Keith's eyes scanned her body and lingered longer than he would admit. Still thinking she isn't a winning beauty? He stopped himself as he leaned on the railing beside her.
"I wanted to apologize for my behavior."
She turned her head and saw his face tightened with effort, "How hard was that to swallow?"
Prince Keith chuckled and the lines in his face smoothed, "Very."
Skylar shrugged her shoulders, "It's fine. I guess I'm too honest for my own good, huh?"
"No. It's good being honest." He said with a nod of his head, "Better to be honest and brazen, then a meek liar."
Skylar nodded a little impressed at the statement, "That makes sense. How did you think of it?" she teased.
Keith snorted and glanced away to some unseen object, "I came to apologize, not to be insulted."
"I appreciate it." She whispered as he turned his eyes back to hers, "You didn't have to be considerate and apologize. I won't forget that." Skylar kept their shared gaze locked until she stared out to Charles glittering streets.
He blushed when she broke off her stare, "Yeah, well, better not. Next time I ask you to dance, you better not put up a fight."
Skylar grinned at him, "Next time?" If there is a next time... Skylar shook off the sad thought and teased him,"Well, next time be a little nicer."
"I'll attempt it."
"That's really all I could ask for."
Prince Keith stepped away from the railing and swiveled toward the door, "I should head back. Would you join me?"
Skylar considered it with great thought, but found herself unable to leave the balcony, "I'll stay out here a little longer."
"Don't stay too long. You'll catch your death from the cool breeze."
"Ah, Prince Keith, you better hurry back. I believe there are plenty of girls to dance with. Don't worry about little ol' me." She waved him off and looked up at the stars.
"What if you're the one I wanted to dance with..." He mumbled under his breath.
Skylar didn't catch it and glanced over her shoulder, "What'd you say?"
"Nothing!" He spoke louder than he needed to which caused her to jump at his voice, "Forgive me."
After Prince Keith fled with rosy cheeks, Skylar found her heart racing under her rib cage. She could feel the heart press against her bones harder and faster than it had all night. As her heartbeat slowed, flashes of lights caught her attention below the castle. Paparazzi clamored around the entrance to catch any soul entering or leaving Nobel Michel. Skylar watched in pity as they snapped pictures of a small group of women leaving. They kept their attention forward and commanded their way through to their car. She was mesmerized by the sight of it. Were they royalty?
Skylar found herself watching the women intently until they sped away in their car. How am I to escape them? I drove with Prince Edward and I couldn't bother him to let me ride back with him. It could be a seen as a scandalous affair. Caught in indecision, Skylar released an irritated sigh. The party had another two hours until it ended, maybe the paparazzi would be gone by then. Doubt merged into her thoughts as she glanced over her shoulder at the cracked door behind her.
It would be time to return now. Skylar's brooded outside for too long.
As she stepped through the crack, Skylar heard sniffling nearby. Her ears opened at the distressed sound. Was someone crying? Before she closed the door, a small boy ran right into and faltered backwards. Skylar reached out and grabbed his hand to steady him before she bent down. Once she was at eye level, the boy's wet eyes perked up.
"I'm sorry." He blubbered before biting his lip and putting on a strong face.
"I'm fine. It's not your fault." Skylar smiled to reassure him, "What's wrong with you though? Why were you upset?"
The boy's cheeks reddened as his golden eyes watched her, "I wasn't upset."
Oh. He's that kinda boy. He reminds me of someone. Skylar stood up straight, "Were you looking for someone?" She chose her words carefully as the boy looked up shyly.
"Yes. My brother." He said. The boy sounded afraid without someone near him. Skylar assumed that the boy and his brother were very close.
Aw, it seems he's been separated. "Oh, well, I can help you look for him."
The boy grinned and his tears were gone, "It's okay. I found a princess."
"P-princess?"
He grasped her hand with his and tugged her down the hallway, "Let's play a game, princess. My brother will find us later."
Skylar let herself be tugged along by the boy as she gave him a crooked smile, "What kind of game?"
"How about the one where the prince takes the princess home with him and they live happily ever after?" He sounded nothing short of ecstatic at the idea. The boy continued dragging her along as she froze.
She honestly had no words. Frantically, Skylar tried to explain to the boy how it was impossible for her.
"I can't do that."
"Why not? Oriens is a beautiful place. I think you'd love it there. Especially with me!" He insisted. His familiar golden eyes stared at her.
"Oh, you're from Oriens?" Skylar asked enthused. She had visited once last spring with her younger cousin who lived there. It was quite breath-taking.
The boy chuckled at the question, "Of course, I'm the prince of Oriens."
Skylar's eyes widened in shock. Surely, he was joking?! "Alan!"
Prince Glenn stood at the end of the hall dripped in sweat as the boy cried out, "Brother!"
Skylar stayed put as Alan ran up to Prince Glenn. Glenn looked relieved and aggravated at the same time. As he lectured Alan, she consciously messed with the stray strands of her hair and the wrinkles in her skirt. What am I doing?! She forced her hands behind her back as one hand latched the other wrist.
Alan beamed in enthusiasm as he returned to her side and grasped her hand, "I found a princess while I searched for you."
Prince Glenn assessed Skylar as he brushed his hair back with his hand. She could clearly see the likenesses in the brothers with them so close. The same brown hair and golden eyes. How could she not piece it together sooner?
"I didn't think I'd see you again. Especially not with my brother so attached to you." Prince Glenn mused as he gestured to their hands.
Alan resented that and frowned, "You're just jealous because I have a princess and you don't."
Skylar bit back a smile as Alan tightened his grip. Alan is absolutely adorable. She refrained from pinching his cheeks and ogling at his cuteness as Glenn spoke.
Prince Glenn shrugged and reached a hand to Alan's shoulder, "Come on, we must head home before it gets much later."
To both Prince Glenn and Skylar's surprise, Alan shrank back behind her, "No. Not without my princess."
Oh, what a predicament. "I'm sorry, Alan. I really don't think I can."
"Why not?"
"I'm not really a princess. My story ends at midnight. Just like Cinderella. I will have to head home soon."
"You can stay with us. You're still a princess to me." Alan stated stubbornly.
Prince Glenn sighed as Skylar furrowed her eyebrows. What am I going to do? I can't be mean to a face like his.
"Fine." Prince Glenn conceded, "Skylar," he stated as he caught my gaze, "would you mind accompanying us to Oriens?"
Skylar stopped her lips from parting in disbelief, "Is it really appropriate?"
Prince Glenn seemed surprised by her, but he hid it well, "We'll bring you back as soon as you'd like."
I suppose it was reasonable, but it could cause problems for both Prince Alan and Prince Glenn. "Only if it is no trouble."
Alan bounced with glee, "Yay! I've got my princess!"
What am I getting myself into..