Elizabeta

I hadn't realised how many of the guests were staring at me. Was it my appearance? My dress? Did they know my real identity? I hid my face partly behind a fan I found in the carriage of the woman I was trying to imitate. The looks I received got stranger. Before I could start to panic, a tall blonde man strutted towards me and grabbed my hand softly.

"There you are, cousine Emma. I see you grabbed your fan. You look magnifique " He declared happily. I was too shocked to answer him. Unfortunately he was acquainted with 'me'. His hold on my hand got stronger as he was witnessing that I was struggling with my words.

"Emma? Is everything alright?"

"Ehh, yes, yes. I was so flattered by your compliment. Thank you very much." I stuttered.

I must have looked like a gaping fish behind the fan. He only smiled and led me into a grand room full of decorations and golden walls, supported by huge pillars. The ceiling was stunning; every scene that was painted on it told a story. It was drawn by a talented artist who must have dedicated half of his lifetime to it to create such a masterpiece. I've never seen such a grand ballroom in my whole life. It was beautiful and the view made me speechless. How could they afford such luxury? I didn't know the name of the man, who was walking with me to a group of young women, but I knew by now that I was his cousin called Emma and that he was definitely French.

And again was it doubt that filled my mind until I heard them talking about the amulet.

"I've never seen it before, so I hope the prince will wear it tonight." One of the women exclaimed happily.

"It shows his fortune and power. Not a soul wants to declare war on this land, as long as they have the amulet. I hope he will dance with me tonight."

"With that dress you are wearing? Oh Darling, His Royal Highness will only look at those women who wear pompous clothes." They all started to giggle after this comment.

I didn't understand that kind of people; judging others by their appearance, only to satisfy their urge to gossip about something in order to feel self-confident.

"Pardon my ladies, to disappoint you but my dear cousin here, was given the opportunity to dance with the prince."

Apparently these arrogant girls were just as shocked as I was. I am going to do what!? I could feel the jealous glares on my form, giving me an uncomfortable feeling.

"Well you are a lucky girl, Lady Emma." One of them commented.

"L-L-Lady?" I stuttered.

Emma was a Lady? Oh Lord no. One does not learn the etiquette of social behaviour as a pirate. Nevertheless it would give me the chance to get the necklace easily.

"I met him earlier and introduced her to him. For your disappointment, I must inform you that the prince is not wearing the necklace tonight." He added.

Damn. My only hope was the King; perhaps he would wear it tonight. But how was I supposed to get near the amulet, when His Majesty was wearing it?

A few of the villagers entered the ballroom, taking their distance from the royal guests. I still couldn't believe that this was happening.

The aristocrats and poor inhabitants gathered together in one room. On top of that, all of this was occurring under the King's roof.

The atmosphere was filled with different emotions; awe, disgust, excitement and tenseness. Very awkward. Guards were acting as a wall, separating high-class form low-class. My head sweated under the heat of the wig and the dress felt heavy.

A few trumpets blew before a loud voice rang out through the room, indicating loudly that the royal family was attending.

"It's always the same. In the afternoon the royal family greets the other royal guests with tea and snacks. And in evening, when villagers are allowed to dance here, the King and Prince are showing off their wealth and power, with a pompous entrance." The tall blonde man explained next to me.

"But why are they attending it in the afternoon and in the evening? It seems really exhausting to plan an all-day dance?" I questioned the whole concept of this ball. Being royal was sure a pain in the arse.

"You are excused, because it is your first ball you are attending to. In the afternoon, they welcome people of royal heritage. Mostly the King talks with his royal allies about plans, arranged marriages or other things. The prince has the possibility to ask the Ladies for a dance for tonight. His father wants him to have a bride of royal blood." He smiled, pointing at the villagers, "Their presence was only possible because of the former Queen; God rest her soul. She always loved to be near the commonalty. 'Everyone has the right to be happy and to have a great evening' she always said. Upon asking her husband, he allowed the peasants to attend a royal ball, every evening, in order to have the feeling of being a prince or princess. For her, everyone deserved to be happy. Until today, it is seen as a traditional ball in honour for the deceased Queen."

This really was an odd royal family.

"That is very thoughtful of her." I muttered to myself still wondering how the French hadn't uncovered my disguise yet.

I hadn't noted the royal family entering the room. Music started to fill the room. My focus wasn't on the royal family, being too busy to watch the dancing couples. Spending all my life on a ship didn't gave me much opportunity to witness such a fancy ball. I needed to remind myself of my mission.

The blonde looked at me strangely, putting his hand on my fan which I was still using to hide my face.

"You know, the Prince cannot dance with you, when you are using this."

Oh no. I almost forgot about that. My eyes grew wide seeing that a good-looking white-haired lad was making his way to us. Was he the prince? His cocky grin was visible from a distance, strengthening my urge to hit him. As he came closer, something metallic on his neck reflected in the light.

Realisation hit me the moment he was standing in front of me. The necklace… He was wearing it.

Gilbert

"Your Royal Highness?"

Oh no, not again. I was only on my way inside and no one could leave me alone. My annoyed stare must have frightened the servant. His head sank and he muttered an apology.

"Please accept my apologies, your father, the King, asked if you are wearing the necklace from your mother tonight."

I stared blankly at him. Of course, as always my father wanted me to show off our power. Weren't people already aware of it?

"Fine. Tell him I will wear it." I grumbled with a shaking head. The King exaggerated, but I was used to it and couldn't object. Having been grown up in a golden cage, I had to live the life he has planned for me, to marry someone I didn't love and pretend to be happy about it.

A nurse approached me with a tired Ludwig in her arms after the shy servant rushed back to the King. My smile reached my ears as I saw my baby brother. He was such a dear little child.

"I will carry him upstairs." I took him into my arms, felt his calm breathing and went into his bedroom.

I didn't know how much time had passed when I sat on my brother's bed, watching him sleep until a knock sounded on the door.

"Prince Gilbert?"

I walked in big steps out of the room, leaving the confused servant standing in front of Ludwig's chamber. I didn't care. Before I went to the ballroom, I fetched the necklace with the amulet and put it on. The trumpets sounded and I knew it was time to brace myself for the dancing.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, His Royal Highness Prince Gilbert Beilschmidt of Borussia!"

"The awesome Prince Gilbert." I breathed.

As always people were flashed by my awesomeness; with my grin I went down to the filled room, fulfilling my task in dancing with Lady Emma. My father shot me an approving look while he was walking to his throne. Music started to play. Perfect.

I saw my dance partner hiding her face with a hand fan. She observed the dancing couples but snapped out of her daze when I walked towards her. The young lady looked up to me and seemed nervous. It must have been my awesomeness. Francis watched my steps, winking me and reassured her to be fine. She was shortly left alone when he took his leave and her fan.

"Your Royal Highness." She curtsied after she addressed me rather monotone.

"Lady Emma." I didn't know what struck me more; her voice or her eyes. It was all different from the afternoon. Her face seemed older and more feminine; she was really beautiful. I shook my head watching her visage again. Maybe the alcohol was already affecting my ears and vision.

"Allow me to pay you a compliment. You look stunning."

Instead of a shy smile or an appreciation for my compliment, she glared at me. Did I do something wrong?

"Do you always flatter women with that kind of charm?" She criticised.

I stared wide-eyed at her. Unbelievable, did she just criticised my awesome charm?

"I-I-I beg your pardon?" I stammered, still watching her with a shock-filled face. She smirked, seeing my reaction. She smirked!? She couldn't be the same person. A brown strand of hair was visible under her blonde hair. Wait? Was she wearing a wig? She stared at the necklace on my neck. Was she so stunned by it? This was strange and in that moment my brain began to work again. Thankfully the alcohol hadn't influenced my senses.

That person I was dancing with wasn't Lady Emma.

It must be one of the pirates. I refused to call for the guards immediately, they would stop the ball and everything would end in chaos. Maybe I could pretend to play along.

My body grew tense as the music played a joyful song.

How fitting.

[A/N: I chose to give Gilbert the title 'Prince of Borussia' because Borussia is the Latin name for Preußen aaaannd I am a huge Borussia Dortmund fan, so Gilbert of Borussia it is :D (I know, very creative :'D). The next chapter will contain another Point of View :3. I wanted to thank for all those who are taking their time reading, following and favouring my story. I never imagined it would gain so many feedback in such a short time. So Thank you :DD ]

Translations:

Cousine – cousin
Magnifique - wonderful