If you're reading this, IT FINALLY WORKED! :D I've been trying to put this chapter up for days but it would never work! But it's here now! Somehow I made it work! Enjoyyy...
Rapunzel's POV:
"There you two are! The Royals of Haldane have just arrived! Come along now!" My mother takes my father's hand and motions for me to stand beside her. We stand there for a few seconds before I hear the trumpets sound.
"Presenting their Royal Highness', The King, Queen and Princess of Corona!" says the announcer. The crowd applauds and we enter the room. We slowly make our way to the front of the ballroom, slightly bowing in acknowledgment at all the familiar faces we come across. I reach my throne and sit down at the same time as my parents. And then the trumpets go on again.
"And now, Presenting the King, Queen and Prince of the neighbouring kingdom of Haldane!"
Three people come in the room and stand at the top of the staircase. I squint my eyes , trying to make out Prince Amegendo's face from a distance. He doesn't look anything like I thought he would. He had black eyes and black hair, and as their family began walking closer, I noticed he barely had a moustache. He looks back at me as well, taking in what I look like. My father stands up and starts telling people he's glad they came, why we're here, and such, but I'm still distracted by Amegendo. He gives a sad, polite smile and nods at me. I do the same. He is rather handsome, but not exactly eye catching. If he was just another guest at this ball, his face would be easily forgotten. When father stops speaking, everyone kind of disperses into their own conversations. My mother taps my shoulder.
"Time to meet the prince, Rapunzel."
I gulp deep and stand up slowly. I nervously walk towards the Royals of Haldane. The prince sees me coming and he immediately gives me another polite smile and gets the attention of his parents to point me out. The king and queen of Haldane beam when my family and I stop in front of them.
"Darton! Welcome to my home." Says father
"Why, thank you Harold! Hello Alexandra!" says the king, acknowledging both my parents. My mother smiles and gives a simple, "Pleasure."
King Darton looks at me grins warmly, "Princess Rapunzel! I would like you to meet my son, Amegendo."
"At last we meet, fair Princess." Prince Amegendo says with nothing but pure politeness in his voice. No eagerness or anything. It's doesn't make me mad. If anything , I've been dreading this meeting, but since he was kind enough to make an effort, I will too.
"It's very nice to meet you as well, Prince Amegendo."
After smiling at us back and forth, our parents decide it give us some alone time. The minute we're alone, my eyes drop to the floor and I begin fiddling with my dress. For a little while, we just stand there, pretending that we don't see each other. The Prince opens his mouth prepared to say something, then he closes it as if he's changed his mind.
After a few more seconds, he walks away. My jaw drops as soon as he leaves. How rude! I stare in disbelief as he gets lost in the crowd. Then I feel a tap on my shoulder.
"Well, that was bad-mannered." I hear a high voice say. When I look back, I see my dear friend Patriala, Princess of Renodon. I've known her since I was 4 years old. She's two years younger than me so I feel like her big sister. I smile at the sight of her a hug her lightly.
"Hi Triala. Nice to see you." I say when I pull away from the embrace.
"You too! So, that's the Prince of Haldane, is it?" She says pointing at Prince Amegendo, that's when I'm reminded that I'm mad. I roll my eyes and look at her, "Can you believe him? What an awful, awful thing to do!"
"Yeah. Oh! Happy Birthday, by the way!" She says trying to cheer me up.
"Some birthday..."
"Rapunzel, the night is still young and being that it's your birthday, I say you push this aside and enjoy."
Before I'm given the chance to say anything else, Triala drags me to the other side of ballroom. I eventually see her parents and I begin chatting with all the Royals of Renodon. Soon enough, I'm mingling with everyone except Prince Amegendo, and I'm comfortable this way. As I speak some more with Triala, I see someone coming towards me, angry. My mother.
"Rapunzel! Why is the Prince standing alone over there!"
I look over and see my fiancé awkwardly shifting his eyes from left to right. I pout at my mother and speak defensively, "You didn't see what he did earlier! I was waiting for him to start a conversation and he just walked-!"
"Rapunzel, please! I know you aren't comfortable but make an effort dear! Go spend time with the Prince!"
I'm boiling mad at this point. This is not my fault! Triala gives a look that tells me to swallow my anger and do as I'm told. I love that girl. She maybe younger, but most of the time she's more mature then I am. She gives me a little push and I begin walking to Prince Amegendo. He sees me going to him and he starts walking to me as well. I soon end up standing face to face with my fiancé.
"Princess," He bows, "I think I should apologize for my behaviour earlier-"
"You think?"
He looks like startled by my being so forward and starts stuttering, "I just- you- and- the-"
I tilt my head, unsure of what he's trying to say.
"Phew! I'm so sorry, I-" He manages to say before leaning on the table behind him. Something makes a clanging noise and my eyes shift to a large fork that Amegendo's elbow hit when he leaned down. The fork flies up and hits a bowl on the table, knocking it over. The next thing I know, I'm sticky, smelly and covered in clam soup. I look up and see Amegendo wide eyed, "Oh dear! I am so sorry! Please forgive my carelessness! Oh good Lord! Oh!"
My face scrunches up as I smell the clams which have now become a part of my attire. My head turns from side to side. Everyone in the room is frozen, staring at me. My parents look aggravated, Amegendo's parents look ashamed, Triala's face shows nothing but pure shock and I see a few faces trying to hold in laughter. I feel completely humiliated. I don't want to seem weak, not here. I slowly remove the bowl from my head, place it on the table and walk out of the ballroom with my head held high. It's only after I've left the room that I begin crying. This has been a terrible evening.
"Wait! Please! Princess Rapunzel!" I hear Prince Amegendo call from inside, followed by rapid footsteps getting louder and louder. I don't want to see him, so I run.