Singinstrawberri: Thanks for ur review! I'll write another chapter, but
this is because I can't stop writing ^-^ Thanks for the encouragement!
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"Lela, darling, don't forget, I want you to dress up for tonight. I know you hate dresses and frills, but please try to understand." My mother told me.
I was being stubborn. I didn't want to meet this prince, I didn't want my parents to make matches for me, and I definitely didn't want to dress up.
"Also, I believe your friend James will be there." Ella added, with a sly gleam in her eyes. So she had resorted to bribery. She knew that my best (and only) friend was James, the maidservant Nancy's son. I sighed. "Okay, okay. But only under one condition. You can't force me to dance."
My mother grinned happily. "No, the wonderful and stubborn Princess Lela may dance with whomever her little heart desires." I frowned. "In that case, I won't dance, because I don't desire anyone!" I insisted. Mother, being the understanding person she is, only smiled and slipped out the door.
At least James would be there. He was my age, only a few months older than I. But he was my best friend. It might seem strange to some, including Mother, but I knew why I wasn't best friends with any girls. All the girls either envied me, or were to shy. Or, they would pretend to be trying to be friends, but really, try to gain favor of the Princess of Kyrria. However, James was the only one who would remain himself around me, without trying to gain favor, or act all mushy and stuff, by saying "Princess" and "Your majesty" and "Your highness". That's why we were friends.
I shrugged, wishing and still wishing that I wasn't born as who I was.
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"Hey, Lela!" I whirled as I heard my name shouted. It was James. He was racing towards me, his light brown hair glinting in the sunlight. His emerald eyes sparkled with amusement. "I thought you were with your parents, greeting the Prince of Ayortha." He said, as he fell into step with me.
"Um, no. I don't want to meet him." Another thing great about James was the fact that I could tell him almost anything, because he understood me.
"Oh. Another stuffed up piece of royalty?" he teased. Then he grew serious. "I'm allowed to go to the banquet tonight. You're going?" Then he smacked his head. "What am I saying? Of course you're going! You're the Princess of Kyrria!"
I turned and glared at him. "I would thank you very much not to ever mention that fact to me!"
"Lela, really. Get serious! It can't be that bad."
"Yes, it can. I hate balls, I hate frilly dresses, and I hate acting like an adorable and perfect princess! I also hate dancing, singing, princess- like stuff, and I really hate people who gape at me!" I had started out by listing, but I ended up shouting.
"Um, okay." James said, grinning at my outburst.
I blushed a little. "All right, I um, better go get changed," I muttered without looking at him.
I dashed upstairs, and pulled out a violet satin and silk gown. I eyed it apprehensively, and then pulled it on. I looked at myself critically in the mirror, studying my features. Like my mother, I had straight dark-brown hair and a slender figure. Also from her were my stubbornness, defiance, grace, and wit. Like my father, I was charming, just, and a natural leader (as I liked to think). But my best feature was my eyes, which were a bright, cerulean blue. Neither of my parents nor my brother has blue eyes, but my grandmother, Daria, has pale blue eyes. I suppose I got it from her. Anyway, it didn't really matter right now. What mattered now was that I don't get in big trouble with my parents for not meeting our guest.
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". . . and this is my daughter, Princess Lela. Lela, dear, this is Prince Darren of Ayortha."
I curtsied gracefully, extending my hand. The Ayorthian prince, whom I have to admit, was handsome, took it and planted a light kiss on it. I tried not to wince as he straightened with a charming smile, and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess."
He was charming enough, jet-black hair, stunning blue eyes, and an adorable smile. But for some reason, I didn't like him. From the look he gave me, he wasn't all that fond of me either. Well, that was good. But the banquet would definitely not be a good idea.
As soon as I could without being to obvious, I went upstairs to my room. I had sent a message through my maid to tell James to meet me up here. As soon as he arrived, I plagued him with everything about the Ayorthian prince, Darren. He listened politely, adding a few comments.
"So you don't like him?"
I rolled my eyes. "No! I don't even know why, but I . . . well, hate him!"
"Hmmm . . ." James mused thoughtfully. "That's a bit strong, isn't it? I mean, you just met him." He studied me thoughtfully. "Maybe you only hate him because he called you Princess?"
My shoulders sagged. "Okay, okay, I give up. I'll give him another chance. Maybe he isn't so bad after all."
"We'll see," was all James said. Then, he left.
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It took my maid an hour to get me ready. An hour! I felt like screaming, but I didn't, because I didn't want to be a brat. She made me wear a dark blue, velvet gown, with silver and light blue flowers embroidered along the hem and sleeves. It had only a few frills, for which I was thankful, but still, it made me feel like a walking doll that everyone could stare at and play with. She had brushed and curled some of my hair, and pulled it up into a bun; then she had braided the rest. And let it hang, framing my small face.
Finally - finally, I was ready. I was ready to leave my fussing maid, who was now trying on different pieces of jewelry on me. I was only wearing an oval sapphire pendant, and I only needed that.
I glided down the curving stairwell, (not that I wanted to, but my parents insisted upon a grand entrance for me), and was met by Darren, who gave me a low bow. "May I escort the lovely lady to the dining hall?"
I smiled shyly, curtsying. "I would be honored." He offered me his arm, and we swept into the large, grand room. Maybe James was right. Maybe Darren wasn't as bad as I had thought at first. As long as he didn't call me Princess again.
Dinner was formal, a twenty-course meal, and not even counting dessert. I marveled that Mandy could do all that in so little time, and still make everything so delicious. I had to sit next to my brother, Charles, and some important duke of wherever.
Soon enough, I was bored out of my wits. I looked around for James, and saw him serving some lords and ladies further down the table. Well, he was considered a servant. I still couldn't get used to that fact. He smiled when he saw me. A few minutes later, he appeared at my elbow. "A little more of your drink, Your highness?" he asked. He winced when he said that, and gave me an apologetic glance. I didn't mind; I knew he couldn't just call me "Lela" in front of all the lords and ladies and dukes and duchesses. They would be horrified. I gave him a small smile to reassure him. "Yes, please." As he leaned down to pour me my drink, he whispered, "Meet me out at the garden, when the dancing begins."
I gave a slight nod to show him that I'd heard. He straightened and went off to help somebody else. I looked up and met the bright eyes of Darren, watching me. Had he heard? Or had he suspected anything? I forced myself to give a small little smile. I hoped not.
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A/n: Done! I'm starting the next chapter . . . this is gonna be long. I haven't even started the action, but don't worry, it'll come soon enough! I have so many ideas! ^-^ R&R please!!
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"Lela, darling, don't forget, I want you to dress up for tonight. I know you hate dresses and frills, but please try to understand." My mother told me.
I was being stubborn. I didn't want to meet this prince, I didn't want my parents to make matches for me, and I definitely didn't want to dress up.
"Also, I believe your friend James will be there." Ella added, with a sly gleam in her eyes. So she had resorted to bribery. She knew that my best (and only) friend was James, the maidservant Nancy's son. I sighed. "Okay, okay. But only under one condition. You can't force me to dance."
My mother grinned happily. "No, the wonderful and stubborn Princess Lela may dance with whomever her little heart desires." I frowned. "In that case, I won't dance, because I don't desire anyone!" I insisted. Mother, being the understanding person she is, only smiled and slipped out the door.
At least James would be there. He was my age, only a few months older than I. But he was my best friend. It might seem strange to some, including Mother, but I knew why I wasn't best friends with any girls. All the girls either envied me, or were to shy. Or, they would pretend to be trying to be friends, but really, try to gain favor of the Princess of Kyrria. However, James was the only one who would remain himself around me, without trying to gain favor, or act all mushy and stuff, by saying "Princess" and "Your majesty" and "Your highness". That's why we were friends.
I shrugged, wishing and still wishing that I wasn't born as who I was.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
"Hey, Lela!" I whirled as I heard my name shouted. It was James. He was racing towards me, his light brown hair glinting in the sunlight. His emerald eyes sparkled with amusement. "I thought you were with your parents, greeting the Prince of Ayortha." He said, as he fell into step with me.
"Um, no. I don't want to meet him." Another thing great about James was the fact that I could tell him almost anything, because he understood me.
"Oh. Another stuffed up piece of royalty?" he teased. Then he grew serious. "I'm allowed to go to the banquet tonight. You're going?" Then he smacked his head. "What am I saying? Of course you're going! You're the Princess of Kyrria!"
I turned and glared at him. "I would thank you very much not to ever mention that fact to me!"
"Lela, really. Get serious! It can't be that bad."
"Yes, it can. I hate balls, I hate frilly dresses, and I hate acting like an adorable and perfect princess! I also hate dancing, singing, princess- like stuff, and I really hate people who gape at me!" I had started out by listing, but I ended up shouting.
"Um, okay." James said, grinning at my outburst.
I blushed a little. "All right, I um, better go get changed," I muttered without looking at him.
I dashed upstairs, and pulled out a violet satin and silk gown. I eyed it apprehensively, and then pulled it on. I looked at myself critically in the mirror, studying my features. Like my mother, I had straight dark-brown hair and a slender figure. Also from her were my stubbornness, defiance, grace, and wit. Like my father, I was charming, just, and a natural leader (as I liked to think). But my best feature was my eyes, which were a bright, cerulean blue. Neither of my parents nor my brother has blue eyes, but my grandmother, Daria, has pale blue eyes. I suppose I got it from her. Anyway, it didn't really matter right now. What mattered now was that I don't get in big trouble with my parents for not meeting our guest.
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". . . and this is my daughter, Princess Lela. Lela, dear, this is Prince Darren of Ayortha."
I curtsied gracefully, extending my hand. The Ayorthian prince, whom I have to admit, was handsome, took it and planted a light kiss on it. I tried not to wince as he straightened with a charming smile, and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess."
He was charming enough, jet-black hair, stunning blue eyes, and an adorable smile. But for some reason, I didn't like him. From the look he gave me, he wasn't all that fond of me either. Well, that was good. But the banquet would definitely not be a good idea.
As soon as I could without being to obvious, I went upstairs to my room. I had sent a message through my maid to tell James to meet me up here. As soon as he arrived, I plagued him with everything about the Ayorthian prince, Darren. He listened politely, adding a few comments.
"So you don't like him?"
I rolled my eyes. "No! I don't even know why, but I . . . well, hate him!"
"Hmmm . . ." James mused thoughtfully. "That's a bit strong, isn't it? I mean, you just met him." He studied me thoughtfully. "Maybe you only hate him because he called you Princess?"
My shoulders sagged. "Okay, okay, I give up. I'll give him another chance. Maybe he isn't so bad after all."
"We'll see," was all James said. Then, he left.
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
It took my maid an hour to get me ready. An hour! I felt like screaming, but I didn't, because I didn't want to be a brat. She made me wear a dark blue, velvet gown, with silver and light blue flowers embroidered along the hem and sleeves. It had only a few frills, for which I was thankful, but still, it made me feel like a walking doll that everyone could stare at and play with. She had brushed and curled some of my hair, and pulled it up into a bun; then she had braided the rest. And let it hang, framing my small face.
Finally - finally, I was ready. I was ready to leave my fussing maid, who was now trying on different pieces of jewelry on me. I was only wearing an oval sapphire pendant, and I only needed that.
I glided down the curving stairwell, (not that I wanted to, but my parents insisted upon a grand entrance for me), and was met by Darren, who gave me a low bow. "May I escort the lovely lady to the dining hall?"
I smiled shyly, curtsying. "I would be honored." He offered me his arm, and we swept into the large, grand room. Maybe James was right. Maybe Darren wasn't as bad as I had thought at first. As long as he didn't call me Princess again.
Dinner was formal, a twenty-course meal, and not even counting dessert. I marveled that Mandy could do all that in so little time, and still make everything so delicious. I had to sit next to my brother, Charles, and some important duke of wherever.
Soon enough, I was bored out of my wits. I looked around for James, and saw him serving some lords and ladies further down the table. Well, he was considered a servant. I still couldn't get used to that fact. He smiled when he saw me. A few minutes later, he appeared at my elbow. "A little more of your drink, Your highness?" he asked. He winced when he said that, and gave me an apologetic glance. I didn't mind; I knew he couldn't just call me "Lela" in front of all the lords and ladies and dukes and duchesses. They would be horrified. I gave him a small smile to reassure him. "Yes, please." As he leaned down to pour me my drink, he whispered, "Meet me out at the garden, when the dancing begins."
I gave a slight nod to show him that I'd heard. He straightened and went off to help somebody else. I looked up and met the bright eyes of Darren, watching me. Had he heard? Or had he suspected anything? I forced myself to give a small little smile. I hoped not.
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A/n: Done! I'm starting the next chapter . . . this is gonna be long. I haven't even started the action, but don't worry, it'll come soon enough! I have so many ideas! ^-^ R&R please!!