Party
"It's not what you think!" I blurted out. Who was I kidding, it was exactly what he was thinking.
"Who was that?" he said running to the window.
"I was," I started, but had to redirect my explanation to answer him, "Um… I don't know."
"What did he look like?"
I shook my head in defeat, "I didn't see, he was wearing a mask."
"Did he have-"
"A coat of arms?" I cut him off and sadly shook my head again, "No, he bore no country. He did say something about God punishing the royal crown. Has this happened before?" I don't know why but it seemed like he had a list of questions already prepared.
"Well, it's supposed to. I don't know if you know about the whole secret Ishmire society, but things aren't all buddy-buddy between us.
"Aren't you going to ask-"
"About your chivalry? Yes that is surprising. You know I could have you beheaded for that?"
"I….uh," I tried to make up an explanation but somewhere between him smirking and advancing toward me I lost my words.
"Of course, that would be a bit drastic since you just saved my life." He smiled, his face inches away from mine. It felt very strange for him to be so,… forgiving. I had never felt that intimidated.
"Thank you." and with that he turned on his heel and walked back to his room. I guess now that I had the space to breath I found my words.
"Just so you know, I think that law on not allowing women to defend themselves is preposterous."
He turned his head, smirked, and said, "I'll see what I can do."
Of course we had to tell James' parents, and the head of security, and whoever else about the little break in, we just made sure to leave out my grand heroism. Of course I had to tell the King and Queen about it, but I waited until James wasn't around.
Despite the sudden danger, James' ball was not canceled.
Hoo-ray.
Well I guess we can't always get what we want.
The ball itself was, well, not as bad as I thought it would be. Don't' get me wrong, I still had to listen to rich people bitch and moan about their problems, but it wasn't to the extent that would make me rip out my hair. It was actually rather uneventful. Once I got shuffled into the long line of girls waiting to dance with the prince. I was escorted to his side, where he looked like he was seriously considering suicide.
"Having fun?" I asked.
"Hardly." He yawned, and forgot the next move to the dance.
"Left foot," I reminded him.
"Thanks. Hey will you do me a favor? Will you tell the orchestra to speed it up?"
"That bad huh?"
"You have no idea. Oh and, if you can, will you sneak some bubbly out from the kitchen later tonight? We're having our own little get together."
Before I could ask more on the subject, I was shuffled away so the next girl could have her turn. As I walked by the staircase, the line of girls stared daggers at me. They were jealous that I got an extra minuet with the prince. When ever I walked by a group of girls they would whisper things like, "She's so skinny! How does she stand up?" and "You know she's Elvin? I would watch your back." I just rolled my eyes.
After everyone had left and turned into bed, I snuck down into the kitchens and rummaged around for the leftover bottles of champagne.
When I finally found a good one, I left the kitchen and descended into the dark hall. There was a shuffling nose to my right and then something collided with me.
"Ow!"
"Elle?"
I sighed, but smiled, "Yes, James that is my foot."
"Did you get the champagne?"
"Yes." I said but he didn't wait for an answer. He grabbed my hand and pulled me through the pitch black hall.
"Where are we going?" I asked as a giggle escaped my lips.
"You'll see. We do this every year."
We raced through the maze of hallways, and eventually he led me out a back door. We raced through a barley light meadow, with me giggling uncontrollably the whole way. A small grin was planted on his face. We reached the middle of the meadow, where James' friend from the pub greeted us. Three other people stood beside him, a boy who I recognized from the pub and two girls. James introduced them each briefly. The blonde boy's name was Fred, and next to him stood Elliot, Isabelle, and Marie. We all lay in the middle of the field, talking and watching the sky grow lighter.
"Oh! Here it comes!" shouted Marie. She pointed at the small trees.
A bright orange sun ascended up above the trees. We all shouted and hooted as James uncorked the champagne and a river of fizzy liquor erupted into the air.
"Happy Birthday Jamie!" Fred screamed. We all chorused into a loud and rather drunken round of Happy Birthday. We all laughed and 'clinked' out glasses of champagne.
"So Jay, did you find your future bride?" Fred teased.
Elliot joined in. "Yeah I saw you talking an awful lot with that princess from Sigera."
We all sang out ooohs and ahhs.
"My God, she wouldn't leave me alone! She was rather smitten with me after I told her that she had powdered sugar all over her face!"
We all broke into laughter. I rested my head on James chest, giving in to the alcohol, and he put his arm around me, twirling my red hair.
"So, despite the fact that you've fallen for a fat princess," the group snickered, "was it a good birthday?" I asked sarcastically.
He smirked at me, "You're just jealous." There was another round of oohs and chuckles.
"Yes, I admit it! I am,… what was it,…smitten with you prince James" I mocked sarcastically.
The whole group erupted with laughter. James chuckled and kissed my hair. We stayed there for hours until we decided that soon someone would notice that we weren't in bed.
James and I skipped back to the castle with the others leading the way.
"This happens every year?!"
"We do it for all our birthdays," he said.
"I've never had so much fun."
"You don't get out much."
I laughed and he threw his arm around my shoulder.
"Elle?"
"Hmm?" He stared at me for awhile. His deep blue eyes collided with my green ones. His arm fell from my shoulder to my lower back
"Nothing." He said, changing his mind.
We walked the way the rest of the way with me leaning on his shoulder and his arm around my waste.