Chapter 7
As she came into view her brothers gasped. She looked like an angel. And a vision of their beloved mother. Her dark brown hair hung in ringlets and her deep green eyes glowed and sparkled. The dress just made them stand out even more. Her eyes were one of her best features. "Ana. You look so grown up."James said with tears in his eyes. Ana smiled. Her brothers hugged her. "You look just like mother."Henry told her.
The next night King Navel sent a carriage to pick up his advisor and his brother. James was now an advisor to the king and Henry ran the stables now. The three got in. Ana wrapped her cloak around her shoulders. The carriage stopped in front of the castle. The driver got down and opened the door. Henry stepped out, then James. James helped Ana out. Then she put on her mask because it was a masked ball. Ana took James's arm so he could escort her. They entered the castle and walked into the ballroom. King Navel came over with Queen Gretchen. "Hello James! Henry!"King Navel greeted. "Your majesties."Henry and James said bowing. "And who is this young lady here?"King Navel asked with a twinkle in his eye. "This is our younger sister, Ana, your majesty."James replied. "Pleasure to meet you my dear. James, Nicole was asking about when you would get here. She is over by the punch."King Navel said winking as he went to greet other guests. Henry saw a friend and went to go talk to him. James escorted Ana over to Princess Nicole and her siblings. "You majesties."James said bowing. "Oh please!"Prince Erik teased rolling his eyes. The two boys burst out laughing. "Alright alright. Ana this is Princess Nicole, Prince Erik, Prince Gregory, Prince John, Prince Jacob, Princess Tish, and Princess Sylvia. Everyone, this is my little sister Ana."James introduced. "Pleased to meet you your majesties."Ana said curtsying. "Oh! I remember the first time I met you. Kian was telling you story when I came in. Gosh you were only four at the time."Nicole said remembering. "I remember. You were the first person I met in that store. I thought you were so pretty."Ana said smiling shyly. Nicole laughed. "I like your sister James."Nicole said dragging Ana off. "Now tell me. I am sure you have plenty of stories of those two."Nicole said. "Yep!"Ana said grinning. James groaned. "Ana!"James said. "What? She asked."Ana replied. Then Ana began to tell about the time James decided he could fly.
Among the crowd were other rulers from other kingdoms. One of those rulers was King Jared and his wife Queen Clarice. They had one son, Prince David. Prince David was engaged to the youngest daughter of King Claran and Queen Savia of the Crystal Kingdom. When the princess was born, King Jared gave the girl a symbol on her forehead. And that girl was Ana. They were devasted when they found out their best friends were killed and their children missing. King Jared still hoped to find them.
Finally James claimed Princess Nicole for a dance and many gentlemen asked Ana to dance. She dance gracefully. As a child she always had her bangs cover her forehead. And she still did. It was to hide the symbol given by King Jared. Ana was asked to dance by Prince John. Many of the boys were smitten with the mysterious and beautiful girl. She wore her amulet pendant as always under her dress.
Prince David watched her. Why did he feel as if he knew her from somewhere. Finally he pulled together enough courage and went over to her. "Miss my I have this next dance?"Prince David asked. "Yes you may good sir."Ana said taking his hand. Since everyone except for the royal family of the kingdom wore masks, no one knew who anyone was. The music became slow as they began to dance. "What is your name?"Prince David asked. "Ana. Yours?"she asked. "David of the Goblin Kingdom. You look very familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"Prince David asked. "I don't think so. I feel as though we have met before too. But I have no idea how."Ana replied. "Strange."Prince David said. Ana agreed.
James saw Ana dancing with Prince David. He rushed over to Henry and pulled his aside. "Henry she is dancing with Prince David of the Goblin Kingdom. I saw the attraction. It is because of the symbol on her forehead."James said worried. "I felt it too. But what can we do?"Henry said worried. The two boys thought but couldn't come up with anything. They knew that the symbol on her forehead prevented her from marrying anyone but her intended. They just wanted to wait until she was eighteen before revealing themselves.
Every night that week there was a ball. Ana wore the same dress but changed the color with magic. It was the last night of the ball and she wore the dress in green again. Tonight at midnight everyone would take off their masks and reveal who they were. Ana was dancing with Prince David when the clock struck midnight. King Navel rose and motioned for everyone to take off their masks. Ana took her mask off and gasped when she realized that David was Prince David! King Navel sat back down and the ball resumed. Ana and David talked for the rest of the evening laughing and chatting like old friends.
To be continued...