Hey guys, it's me. I felt the need to update. Since I finished this early and was really excited to get this out. This is probably one of my favorite chapters that I've written so far. So please, enjoy! And don't forget to review telling me your thoughts, I love hearing them guys, and will be sure to reply to the questions and such in the next chapter (which will be coming out soon!). This one's about the same length as my other chapter's, but maybe not as long. Perhaps it's because I had to cut it off for a very special reason. Read on!
MAKA
Darkness fell over the kingdom, and pastel colored lanterns lined the streets, all leading directly to the caste, where a charmer had charmed the lanterns to float around the castle in an alluring way. The stars hung in the sky, the two combined leading a path for the arrival of each and every royal suitor that had come in pursuit of me and the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of Lucem.
The two maids in my bed chamber stood quietly, their hands folded neatly in their laps as they stood quietly by the door. My pale hands were wrapped around my warm cup of milk, and the heat radiating from it seemed to spread through my fingertips and flow through my body. Letting a warm smile slip upon my lips, I turned to look at the two girls, setting the mug down on my dresser and standing up.
"Let's find you two a dress," I smiled wistfully, moving towards my large closet as my mind wandered through the possibilities. There were so many different dresses to choose from - and although I was already dressed and ready to go in my dark red silk gown; the sweetheart neckline embroiled with silver beads in a beautiful regal pattern. A plain silver and diamond necklace and matching earrings settled on my pale skin. My blond hair was set in a cluster of braids of an up-do. My mother had finished off my look for the night by picking out the silver tiara my father had given me for my sixteenth birthday; and for once in my life, I felt absolutely and utterly beautiful underneath that tiara.
Throwing upon the large doors, I felt myself smiling as the younger of the two gasped, a grin twisting her own lips as she ran inside the large walk in closet, looking through the dresses happily.
"Pick any one you like, I'll help you with your makeup and hair after." I smiled softly, letting the girls sort through the dresses and gape at some of the more expensive ones. Patty finally settled for a flowing pastel yellow ball gown - insisting it looked like a giraffe. Liz had already picked her dress by then although, choosing a rather plain navy ballgown that was rather easy to move in - this particular dress was sure to look magnificent on her of all people.
Helping the girl's into their dresses the best that I could. We finally made it to the hair and make up part, and despite my insisting to help Liz do something with her hair, she politely refused. Telling me she would only need her hair as long and straight as it usually was. That's why I simply braided a small section of her hair near the front, pulling it back to give it that crown look. Letting Liz do her own make up (I wasn't the most skilled princess at doing other's makeup - hair was difficult enough for me). Helping Patty with her hair, I chose an old bronze tiara for Patty - telling her it would simply complete her giraffe outfit.
It was only a few moments before the ball when we finally finished, and I could not tell that the two had been maids only hours before. Glancing up at the two young lady's, I gave them a gentle grin as we descended from the castle - the two quickly slipping away as a maid approached us to escort me to the Ballroom.
Letting the aging woman escort me away, I snuck a small smile to the two sisters, waving good bye to them - it would be a while before I got to see them again, for the first half of the ball I would be meeting all of my suitors and greeting all the guests who had traveled miles to get here.
Passing a large window on the way to the large room, a wistful smile crossed my face as I paused, pressing my hands up against the glass; it was snowing. It rarely snowed in the cold seasons of Lucem. Although the weather got bitter and chilly quickly, it left just as fast - and we were back to our perfect weather, and perfect days. That was probably why I loved imperfections so much, searching for places and things that weren't normal, that you couldn't find any normal day in Lucem. Letting the maid guide me away again, I lowered my gaze to me feet, picking up my posture as we neared the two grand doors, my mother waiting patiently in front of them.
"You look beautiful," my mother smiled, almost sadly, as she took my hand and guided me towards the door. Letting my emerald eyes flash over to her for a moment, I took in all that was my mother one last time before I would begin my new journey, I would become my own person, I would no longer be the Princess of Lucem - I would be the heir to the Throne, the next Queen of Lucem.
Hands gripped together tightly, a voice rang inside the ballroom; introducing us, no doubt. Then, the doors opened, and my mother and I were faced with the crowds of regales and crowns. The claps and cheers rang throughout the large sized room. Then, wee walked forward and were lost within in the crowds of dresses and jewellery. Hands separating, I felt the life almost drain out of me as I began greeting the many different people. I had just arrived, and I was already ready to escape.
I had danced with many different people, my heart never racing nor slowing as they swept me around. Some were better dancers than others, but at the time I couldn't have cared less. Standing in a group of young ladies who had joined their brothers or come along for the ball, I felt as though I was barely there. Of course, the girls did their best to include me with their giggles and jokes. But I couldn't have felt any duller inside that room.
Excusing myself, it felt as if I was drowning as I pushed through the crowds, making my way towards the door. But before I could reach it, two large arms encircled around my waist, I immediately gasped out of shock. Jumping out of the person's grasp, a scowl set upon my face - no matter the unladylike-ness of it all. Spinning around, I was met with two playful golden eyes and almost all anger flew out of my body, as surprise filled the spots it had once taken.
"W-what are you doing!" I spoke in a hushed voice, eager to keep my voice down. Kidd only chuckled at my response, taking my hand and leading me to the dance floor almost clumsily. That's when it hit me - he had been drinking. Pulling my hand out of his grasp, I brought it to my chest, as if to check if my heart was still beating. "You've been drinking, haven't you?"
"You don't know how frustrating it was for me, watching you dance with all those other men. You little skank, how could you do this to me?" He grumbled, a scowl twisting his once handsome features - and Kidd didn't seem to be so handsome as much anymore, in fact, he seemed almost frightening.
"I was being polite! They asked me to dance, it's not like I can say no to them - they came here for me! I don't know if I want to marry you, in fact - you might as well leave now," I shot, turning to leave before things got too heated; we were in the middle of the dance floor after all, and we had already attracted enough attention.
"Oh no you don't-!" As quick as his hand grabbed my arm, it left and something stood between the two us, something tall. Looking up, I was met with the back of someone's head; oh great, someone had stepped in. What now? "Butt out, buddy! This has nothing to do with you," Kidd scowled, his voice getting louder as if he was trying to be more threatening. Holding my breath, I silently prayed my savior wouldn't get the short end of the stick for sticking up for me. But at the same time, I felt happy to know someone had interfered. There was no telling what would of happened if they hadn't.
"I'm sure this has a lot to do with me," He spoke, his voice familiar in my mind, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. "Now how about you leave the lady alone." And with that, he pushed Kid backwards slightly, wrapping his large hand around mine before pulling me along with him as we ran out of the ballroom.
"W-where are we going?" I managed to shout over the loud music and whispers. But there was no answer, at least until we made it through the hallways and into a more reclusive spot in the castle. Struggling to catch my breath, I looked up at my savior expectantly, not expecting to see him of all people. "Oh my dear lord, not you!" I cried angrily, stepping away from him hesitantly.
He tilted his head slightly, giving me a snarky grin as he advanced towards me. My back pressed against the cool wall, his strong arms were placed on either side of me, trapping me like an animal in a cage. Setting my gaze forward, my eyes met with his crimson ones, glaring at him stubbornly.
"What no thank you?" he chuckled, knowing he had me caught like a deer in headlights. "I'll say, that's been twice now, hasn't it?" he smirked, the tip of his nose touching mine - yet it felt like he was a whole universe away. I wanted him closer,not that I would admit that... ever. "What, is the princess too dignified to speak with the Corrupted Prince of Aeterna?" he teased, but I could see the tips of his lips quirked down in a frown.
"More like a little too responsible," I chuckled, still breathless from our little escape. Grinning at my response, our eyes connected for a moment, before he inched closer to me and my eyes flitted closed. Then, his lips ghosted over mine and just as quick as his warm lips met mine, they disappeared. By the time I had opened my eyes, he was gone and all that was left of him was the feeling of his lips on mine and the racing heart inside of me. What was I doing?