Saving Prince James: A James and Sofia Love Story
Set in an alternate universe, James is now 20 and usurped his father as king and conquered every kingdom to create an empire, but he has lived his years as a lonely king with only power and wealth to keep him company. When Cedric summons a banished Sofia, 18, to the castle to secretly save the kingdoms and James, something stirs in James's heart the moment he sees a grown and blossomed Sofia. Can a banished princess save the kingdoms and can a ruthless prince find his way into the heart of a princess he once lost?
Chapter 13: The Ball Crasher
James
James let out a large and exhausted groan as he stood in front of his floor-length mirror, looking at his party attire that Amber had the maids laid out for him before he returned from his morning bath. James would run his hands through his hair out of annoyance if it weren't slicked back neatly with some gooey concoction. It made his hair nice and soft to the touch, though.
The jacket and cravat was a dull dark navy blue while his neutral dark grey trousers were paired with a simple white shirt and a light grey vest. It wasn't the best colors he would have chosen if he was left in charge of what he was going to wear to Sofia's and Amber's ball.
But he wasn't. He had absolutely no say on what he could wear to the ball.
Amber was in charge. And while she wasn't as ruthless as he was, she was still his twin and she controlled every aspect of the ball with an iron fist just like how he rules his empire.
As controlling as ever, Amber refused to allow James to choose what he wanted to wear and only told him just yesterday night after Ruby and Jade had left what colors he was going to be attired in. Originally, he learned that he was going to wear a horrid and ugly brown suit, and that led the two into an argument, but Sofia managed to convince his demanding twin sister to at least let him wear a simple navy blue suit. He would have continued to fight for his right to choose whatever he wanted to wear if it weren't for Sofia, and since it was Sofia that decided on his color, James just begrudgingly agreed to it.
James actually wanted to choose a suit that would match Sofia's dress color, but Amber refused to even hint at what their dresses are going to look like. She wanted to keep it a secret until the day of the ball. And as of right about now, both she and Sofia have been inside of their rooms all morning, getting ready for the ball.
As he began to dress himself, James saw that his clock's hands was close to pointing to nine in the late morning. It wasn't the exact time Amber said she wanted to be finished with getting dressed, but James was certain that Amber and Sofia would at least be done with all of that make-up and hair stuff by now since Amber did wanted to get in some time to look over the party details again.
Earlier this morning, when the sun was barely rising, James remembered hearing Amber talking to Baileywick out in the hallway and leaving him in charge of the checklist for ball while she and Sofia were getting their hair done. The only reason he knew was because he peaked his head outside of his door when he heard Sofia's voice through his door. Down the hall, he saw the back of her head bobbing up and down as she stood beside Amber and their guards as she gave Baileywick the clipboard. Her entire head was covered in hair curlers.
"Aammmbbeeerrrr," James heard Sofia's voice pitch into a whine, her head still rocking from side to side out of sleepiness. From behind, he saw that she was in a dark purple silk robe while the end of her nightgown was exposed at the bottom. "It's so early in the morning, the sun hasn't even risen yet…. Do we really need to get ready this early?"
"Yes," Amber replied back. She was in a deep green silk robe while her blonde hair was in curlers too. "Sofia, I want us to be dressed and ready around ten or at least before this afternoon so that I can have some extra time to look over the ball's details once more. Now, come." Amber began to walk towards their room down the hall.
"Buuuutttt I'mmm sooo sleeeepppyyy…." Sofia continued to whine as she slumped and sluggishly walked behind Amber. James couldn't help but stifle a laugh as he watched Sofia walk so low to the floor that she was basically crawling towards her room.
"Sofia, don't hang your head like that. The curlers will fall out," Amber chided Sofia, stopping to fix the curler's hold in Sofia's hair.
"Buuttt Aaammbbeeerrrr…." Sofia whined again.
"Ugh… fine." James heard the mercy in Amber's voice. "Cyrus, will you carry Sofia to my room so that she and I can finally get ready?"
And the moment he heard those words uttered out of Amber's mouth, his entire body stiffened.
James didn't like that idea.
He didn't like it one bit.
He hated how that idiot of a guard let out an annoyingly careless laugh as he walked up to Sofia's side and effortlessly lifted a sleepy Sofia into his arms. He hated just watching as Amber wrapped Sofia's arms around the fool's neck and rested her head close against his shoulder. James was barely holding onto his anger when the idiot leaned his head close to Sofia's ear and whispered something that made her let out a sweet, sleepy laugh. Whatever he said, James couldn't hear it from where he was standing in his doorway.
James couldn't do anything but watch as the love of his life was carried off in another man's arms.
He just stood there angrily, hands clenched into tight fists as he tried to resist the urge to pound in Cyrus's face.
I hate him so much, James angrily thought as he was putting on his jacket and smoothed it out while in front of his mirror.
He wanted nothing more than to storm over there and take her back from Cyrus, but he couldn't. James knew that if he was to start another fight with that Cyrus idiot so early in the morning, Sofia would never forgive him. She would hate him for trying to hurt one of her friends.
And James didn't want that. There was nothing worse than being on the receiving end of Sofia's anger.
So James just bit his tongue and watched as Sofia quickly returned back to sleep in Cyrus's arms while they made their way towards Amber's room in the other direction of the hallway.
If he ever touches her again, I swear on Fate's Will that I will beat him, James angrily thought as he adjusted his cuffs. I don't care what Sofia will say, I will not allow another man – especially a man like him – to touch her. Not even a single hair. He can't even stand next to her.
"Well, don't you look handsome," a familiar soft voice said in the doorway, snapping James out of his upset morning thoughts. He was so upset that he didn't even hear the door open and close behind him.
Quickly turning around, James was stunned speechless by the beauty that stood before him.
Sofia.
She was standing near the close door with her arms folded in front of her, smiling at him.
Her gorgeous sun-kissed brunette hair was stylishly curled into small loose ringlets, her right half appeared to be tightly pinned back with clips that had white gems on them. Her long hair was loosely flowing over left shoulder and framed her face in beautiful brown waving cascades. While her make-up was neutral from what he could tell, shimmering eye shadow and matching blush with the exception of pale pink lipstick and dark mascara, she still looked like an unearthly goddess before him.
On other girls, this type of make-up and hair style would look casual and simple, but on her, it was utter perfection.
She was positively dazzling. Glowing even.
On the top of her head, she was wearing a large crown that was studded with off-white diamonds instead of her usual tiny purple princess tiara. In the light, it had a pastel pink hue to them that matched the exquisite gown that adorned her body.
And her dress…. Oh, Great Fates, her dress….
It was as if she ripped out a portion of the sky just to make her dress. On her, she was a walking sun rise. Soft colors of silvers, pinks, oranges, yellows, blues, and purples danced and swirled around her in a mesmerizing combination. The dress was nothing like her usual large, princess ball gown that she always wore. The dress… was… was stunning.
She was stunning.
No thoughts could run through his mind, he was left completely speechless and thoughtless. The only thing that occupied his mind was how perfect she appeared.
It hugged her upper body in a tight bodice with a teasingly low neckline that showed off more than he would like, her shoulders and collarbones was bare and left uncovered. And like always, her purple amulet was around her neck; James wouldn't have noticed it if it weren't for the fact that the large gem was dangling in the valley between her pushed up chest. The dress appeared to be entirely strapless but the longer he stared at her, the better he saw that she was actually wearing low-shoulder sleeves that connected just at the edges of the bodice, her sleeves seems to be made of some sheer material with small metallic embroideries of vines at the edges of the bodice and shoulders and ends of the sleeves. From the waist, the gown swept gracefully down and around her, collecting into a small train of fading colors of blue and purple behind her; giving her the illusion that she was floating above the floor. Her skirt wasn't large and grand like what he would bet most of the female guests' gowns would be like; hers simply held closely onto her body and emphasized her perfect hourglass figure.
Besides the small metallic embroideries at the tops and ends of her dress, there was nothing else. No other embellishments or extra frills and ruffles. He didn't understand it, her dress was completely simple and almost plain, but on her, she made it look like the most beautiful gown anyone has ever laid eyes on.
And, while he didn't like how low her neckline was and how much of her skin was exposed in that dress, she was still breathtaking. She looked more graceful that a princess. She had an air more elegant than a queen. She was more beautiful than any goddess in the known universe. She glowed brighter than the sun itself.
She was stunning.
Astonishing.
Hypnotizing.
...Beautiful.
Just completely beautiful.
No words could describe how magnificent she looked standing in his doorway.
There wasn't enough time in the world for him to just take her all in.
"Y-y-yo-you," James barely managed to choke out, his mouth was completely dry from this stunning vison of Sofia. "You… uh…. You loo-look incred – no… um… beautiful. Y-you look beautiful."
Sofia then let out a sweet, gentle giggle, probably laughing at how flustered he must appear. James was certain that his mouth was probably hanging open, maybe even a little drool was dripping out.
"Thank you, James. You look wonderful yourself," Sofia said as she slowly made her way towards him.
Oh, crap. James thought as he watched her walk towards him in a shimmering display of colors. She's the sunrise right now. That's the only way you can describe her. She's a living, breathing personification of the sunrise.
Clearing his throat just a bit, James tried to regain his voice. "Ah… what are you doing here? I thought you and Amber were still getting ready?" James asked as he tried to return back to tying his cravat around his neck. But with Sofia's overwhelming beauty and presence in his room, James's hand felt like clumsy pieces of skin.
"Here, let me help you with that," she said as she stopped closely in front of him and tried to readjust his cravat and shirt's collar. She was so close that he could smell her new coconut perfume and feel her skin's warmth. Lifting his head, so that she could properly tie his cravat, James tried his best to fight against the itch in his arms to wrap itself around her and drink in her alluring beauty. "Amber wanted to add on more details to her dress, so she's having Madame Collette do some quick last minute additions to her dress right now," Sofia continued on with her head just below his chin. "So, she's going to be a bit behind and asked me to see how Baileywick is doing with the party details."
"So why aren't you with Baileywick?"
"James, you sound like you want to get rid of me," she teased with a laugh, looking up at him with her big icy blue eyes and an arched brow.
Yes.
"No" James lied. The longer she remained so close in front of him, the harder it was for him to fight against his urge to take her into his arms and kiss her madly. But James can't do that. Not when she's so dressed up. He didn't want to ruin her make-up and leave all of those hours and hours of preparation to waste. "I'm just wondering that's all."
"Well, since you're just 'wondering', I did go see Baileywick first. He told me he had everything under control and just shooed me off. And everyone is so busy right now, but they all insist that they don't need my help. I can't even find Cyrus or Edwards, so I decided to just go and check up on you," Sofia smiled up at him while she tucked in his cravat into his vest and folded down his tips of his collar. "There, now you look ready for the ball."
Dammit Sofia, don't do that. Don't smile at me like that and tell me that you came all this way just to see me. It's not fair when you look this beautiful and it's only making me want to just kiss you senseless.
"Ah –" James cleared his throat again. "Thank you, Sof."
"You're quite welcome," Sofia said, patting his chest before stepping away.
And that little pat alone made him go mad with thoughts of just reaching out and touching her. Of running his hands through her chocolate colored hair. Of feeling her lips against his. Of needing the touch of her skin beneath his hands. Of kissing her until her make-up is completely ruined so badly that she would have to stay in his room all night with just him.
Dammit Sofia, James frustratingly thought. If you don't want me to ruin your make-up, don't touch me when you're looking like that. You're really hard to resist right now.
But James realized that the longer he's in this room with only Sofia, the harder it became for him to fight against himself. Not when she is standing before him with her enchanting blue eyes and biting her alluring perfectly sculpted lips, looking like… like she wanted to say something to him.
She had on the same expression as yesterday after she burst through the library doors and into his arms. They remained in their warm embrace for a while until she pulled away and looked at him while biting her lips, a habit of hers James came to realize that she only does when she wants to say something to him but is trying to keep it in, and told him that she needed to return to Amber and left without another word.
That lip-biting quirk of hers was something…. It was enticing… It made his mind go stupid.
It was a dangerous habit of hers that obliterates everything in his mind and only fills it with just the thought of her lips.
Not fair, Sofia.
Not fair. Not fair. Not fair.
Not.
Fair.
"What?" James asked with what he hoped was an amused smile, but his voice sounded scratchy and nervous to his ears as he began to button his jacket closed.
"Hmm?" Sofia responded, looking at him as if she was deep in thought. "What?"
"You're biting your lips and I know that you only do that when you have something on your mind and you're trying to not say it. So, tell me what's on your mind."
"Nothing," James heard her say all too quickly. He just watched her as she squirmed and fiddled with her hands beneath his quizzical stare before she returned to biting her lips again. Her eyes darted all around the room, refusing to rest on him as his was on hers. "Nothing. I was just – uh... I just noticed that you don't have on your King's pins."
"Liar." James's eyes followed her as she practically ran over to his closet and returned with a large polished woodened box that he had Baileywick place into his closet before James went in for his bath. "You know that you're still biting you lip, right? I can tell that something is bothering you. So, spill."
Sofia continued to bite down onto her pink lips as she opened the box and walked over to him with the three royal pins. The first one she pulled out was a dark gold diamond-shaped pin with four brighter gold marks that was connected by a dark circle in the center of the pin. The second was a dark silver square pin that had white sharp spikes that edged out of the pin's corners and surrounded a simple gold circle. The third and final royal pin was the biggest of them all; it was a large dark grey circle that had four small white triangles around it and four gold half circles in the between each triangles.
Passed down from grandfather to father to son, the royal pins have decorated and adorned each and every chest of Enchancia's kings. And with each step that Sofia made towards him, James could feel the heavy weight of them before they even made their way onto his chest.
This is what James hated the most when it comes to dignitary or whatever meetings he had that required he wear those damned pins or the king's crown, it was the heavy weight of them all. The expectations and requirements of those pins and the king's crown can be all too much because it once belonged to his father.
"There's just a lot on my mind right now, James," Sofia said, bringing James's attention back onto her and away from the pins. She stepped up close to him again, wafting her delicious smelling coconut perfume back to him, and began to pin what felt like lead onto his jacket.
"Then, just tell me," James tried. "Is it something that you can't talk to me about? Is it too personal?"
"It's not that I can't or won't talk to you about it, James. It's… it's…."
"It's what?" James reached for her hand that laid flat on his chest and covered it with his own, squeezing it closer to him. He enjoyed the way her close proximity to him made his heart beat ten times faster, as if her touch alone made him feel more alive.
He liked it. He needed it.
And he hoped that she could hear it, that she could feel its loud beating beneath her hand and know that she is the only person that can make his heart beat like this.
"It's what, Sof?" James asked again when she didn't reply and only looked up at him with those piercing eyes of hers.
"Weeelll…." James heard her draw out in a somewhat pitched voice. "First off, I'm just a bit nervous for you. I know that you and everyone else that's been invited aren't particularly on good terms."
"Sof, I'll be fine. Don't forget that I do meet with them on a regular basis for updates on inter-kingdom business and trade."
"Yes, but –"
"Sofia, don't worry about me." James smiled down at her worried expression. "If you're afraid that I'll start some fight at the ball, I promise you that won't happen. I'll be on my best behavior, I swear."
"It's not that, James…." Sofia whispered, gently resting her head against his chest and forgetting the pins all together. "I'm just worried that you won't have a good time because of everyone there… and… and regret ever attending the ball…. With me…."
James lifted Sofia's chin with his forefinger so that she could see the honesty and truth in his eyes, and gently nudged her nose with his. "Sofia," James lowered his voice. "I highly doubt that I will ever regret attending a ball where I can escort someone who looks this beautiful and get to dance with the most enchanting being in this world. Hopefully for the entire night."
Sofia just looked at him for a while before her lips broke out into her most precious smile and letting out a small jingle of a laugh. "That was all so clichéd, James."
"Yes, but it got you to laugh though," James smiled with another nudge of her nose. "So, what's the second thing that's on your mind?"
"Second thing?"
"Yeah, you said 'first off' earlier, which implies that you have more than one thing bothering you. So, what is it?"
And before his eyes, James saw Sofia's cheeks slowly grow bright red and her eyes widen into large disks. Sofia then quickly slipped away from him and nearly ran all the way to the opposite side of the room.
"Nothing! Nothing!" Sofia responded frantically. James saw her cheeks burn even brighter and her eyes began to dart desperately everywhere again. "I didn't mean anything by that. There was only one thing. Just one thing. You know what? Just forget I ever said anything," Sofia forced a laugh.
James has never seen Sofia like this. She was completely frazzled and embarrassed about something. Sure, he has seen her cute babbling whenever she didn't know how to explain herself, but this embarrassed and frantic version of her was something entirely new to James.
James then noticed how her eyes rested briefly on his closed door before returning back to him. "I-I think I need to return back outside now," she babbled on, trying to scurry towards the door.
But she never made it as James quickly stepped into her path, blocking her exit.
"Sofia," James said cautiously as if she was some scared small animal who might run if he made the slightest wrong move.
And when he made one step towards her, she took one instinctive step backwards.
"Sofia," James tried again. "You're lying. I know you are. You're babbling like crazy and you refuse to look me in the eyes." With each word he said, James continued to take one step at a time towards Sofia. And with each step he took forward, she took one back until she was fully cornered against a wall. "You're forcing a laugh and, now, you're back is against a wall. So, tell."
But, Sofia only continued to look at him with wide, frantic eyes. And with a shake of her head, she pressed her lips down into a thin line, silently telling him that she won't budge a single nerve.
"Sof, if whatever this thing that is bothering you can get you this unnerved and tensed, then you need to tell me," James continued on. He stopped right in front of her, placing his both of his hands flat on the wall beside her head and locking her into place while he leaned down to her face and pressed slightly against her so that she couldn't make a single move towards the door. "Anyway, you're stuck between me and this wall. So you have no choice but to tell me."
James's face was so close to hers that their noses were touching again, and his lips were just centimeters apart from hers and just the slightest word or letter will make them brush one another and touch.
"James…." Sofia whimpered as her eyes now couldn't leave his. By the sound of her voice, he could tell that she was close to breaking and telling him just what was bothering her so much, but there was still some resistance in it.
"Sofia…." James replied.
"It-it's…."
"Yes…?"
"I-it-it's… it's something… I really… really want to tell you…." Sofia said, her voice growing softer as each word left her mouth. She even buried her head into James's chest and clung onto the lapels of his suit's jacket.
"Then why won't you tell me?" James whispered, matching her voice's low volume.
"I can't seem to find the right time or place to tell you…. Not when there's the ball's chaos going on…."
"So, just tell me now."
"No," James felt Sofia's head shake before she lifted it to look back at him. "Not like this, not with the ball happening in just a few hours."
"Okay, okay," James said as he slowly lowered his head so that their foreheads were touching again. "So, just tell me later tonight."
"James," Sofia exasperatedly sighed.
"I just really want to know what's bothering you so much," James tiredly sighed.
"It's not bothering me per se, it's more of just scaring and exciting me both at the same time," Sofia shyly smiled up at him. "And, to be honest, I can't just tell you like I'm just commenting on the weather. It's something really important and I want to make sure that the time and place is right. Okay?"
"So, I'll just have to wait?"
"You'll just have to wait." Sofia smiled and leaned further into him, and planted a small peck of a kiss onto his lips.
And that was the best and worst thing to happen to James today.
Because, that kiss made him mad for more. That small, innocent kiss reminded him of how starved and hungry he was for more of her lips. How it drove him crazy just wanting to feel her against him and have their tongues dance with each other. But it also told him that he can't have anymore because of how she looks right at the moment and he doesn't want to ruin that look by running his hands up and down her body, from the tops of her head to the bottoms of her waist.
It was how she looked pressed against him and the wall that made him go crazy, and it's only her touch and kisses that can remedy the insanity within him at the moment.
"Not. Fair." James said, his voice thick with desire and need. James fell prey to her lips and knew that one touch from them made his entire will power disappear and cause him to be entirely too weak to fight against his urge for the taste of her pearly and pink lips.
It was only Sofia who had this incredible power over him, to make him lose all will to fight against her and try to remain in control. It was Sofia herself that made all thought, all rationality, everything, but the image and scent and thought of her run through him and sear his heart.
She didn't even know she had this power. She was completely oblivious to what she can do to him….
Oh, to hell with it, James thought.
And without another thought, James quickly claimed Sofia's lips. Smashing his lips against hers and pressing further and further into her, certain that he was crushing her even further into the wall. But at the moment, he didn't care. The only thought that ran through his mind was the exhilaration and passion that consumed him whenever his lips touched Sofia's. The familiar softness of her plump lips returned to him as the creamy taste of sugar and Sofia mixed on his tongue, the heat of her body began to seep into his clothes from the way he crushed her to the wall.
James could feel how his fingers itched just to cup her face or run his hands through her hair, but he had enough control within himself to just grab hold of Sofia's hands and pin it above her head on the wall to restrain himself from completely ruining her make-up or hairdo. Their fingers were laced together and he subconsciously rubbed his thumb against her hand, enjoying the familiar static that ran through him whenever Sofia's skin touched him.
But James wanted more. He needed more. So much more.
He almost forgot that she was being pushed against a wall and was nearly crushing her to it with all of his weight.
That is, until he felt her press back and kiss him as hungrily as he was.
Then, it was like an entirely new explosion of need overcame between them and the kiss turned into something else. Something James wasn't familiar with and it excited him to feel this with only Sofia. And to know that Sofia felt this too gave him even more joy and excitement. It was like this unfamiliar and strange feeling was consuming their bodies and telling their souls that they needed so much more than what was happening.
I need to stop, James warned himself. If this kiss continues on, I can bet that she's not going to look the same once she leaves my room. And I can't afford that, not when she wants to keep what we have a secret.
And James begrudgingly pulled away, letting out a small groan.
Finally breaking for air, James and Sofia simply stood there pressed into each other, breathless and panting. James saw that Sofia's eyes were still close as she tried to regain her breath. He was certain that his eyes were glazed and filled with an unsatisfied haze – that unfamiliar something inside of him made him want more. He still wanted to continue to kiss her, but James knew that he couldn't allow Sofia to leave this room with swollen lips, bright red cheeks, and completely disoriented eyes.
"Not…. Fair…." James repeated himself while he was still trying to return his breath back to normal. "Sof, you can't kiss me – not even a peck – when you look like this because your appearance right now is driving me crazy. It makes me want to just take you and kiss you until you're senseless, but I don't want to ruin your make-up and hair. I'm completely serious, Sof. You can't do that to me if you don't want me to ruin your make-up."
"…James," Sofia calmly gasped, her eyes were still closed and she still sounded breathless. She looked like she wanted to say more but was cut off by the sound of Amber's loud voice outside in the hallway.
"Oh, my gosh! Madame Collette, you are made of magic!" Amber's voice was so loud that it even echoed loudly beyond his closed door. "I can't believe that you finished this so quickly!"
"James!" Sofia whispered. She ripped opened her eyes, wide and frantic again. "Wha –"
"Oh, Baileywick! How are the details for the ball?" Amber's voice down the hall cut her off. It sounded like it passed James's room and was making its way towards the grand ballroom. "And have you seen Sofia?"
"I believe that she is around here somewhere, Princess Amber," James heard the royal steward reply. "Last I remember, she told me she was going to check up on James."
"Quick!" James whispered back, taking her hand and placing her in front of his mirror.
"But, James!" Sofia's hands rose to her cheeks and began to pat them. "What about my appearance?"
"You look fine. Your lips aren't swollen or anything. Only your cheeks are still a little pink, but it's not noticeable," James said, cupping her face. "Pretend like you were just helping me put on the pins."
Absently nodding her mind, Sofia quickly grabbed one of the two pins remaining just as they heard a knock on his door.
"Sofia!" Amber called to Sofia as she opened his door without even waiting for an answer to her knock.
James looked over at his twin sister and wasn't surprised to see her extravagantly dressed and decorated. Her platinum blonde hair was styled into large bouncing curls; some of her curls on the sides of her face were braided and pulled to the back of her head, and others were pinned to the top of her head, giving her a large bump in the back. The rest was split right down the middle and pulled forwards so that each massive curls rested on her shoulders. And right in front of her large bump, James noticed an even larger white silvery crown that held bright red rubies.
The make-up she donned on was matching her rather dark dress: red lipstick, silvery grayish eye shadow that made her green eyes look even brighter, subtle dark blush that gave her the illusion of high cheekbones, and black mascara.
Her dress was the complete opposite of what Sofia's was. It was a swirling colors of dark blues, purples, oranges, and reds. It was as if Sofia was the sunrise and Amber was the sunset. Similar to Sofia's dress, Amber's left her shoulders and collarbones uncovered, but so were her arms. Her dress had a low cut neckline that swooped into some heart-shaped fitted bodice that was connected by some lace and satin fabric that wrapped around her upper arms and hung off of her shoulders. Amber seemed to have left her arms bare, with the exception of a diamond bracelet. And unlike Sofia's dress, Amber's was a full floor-length ballgown with a small train behind her. All the while, the colors of a dark sunset shimmered and glowed all over Amber's dress. The very top of her dress was a mix of fiery red and orange that would later merge and fade into dark blues at the center of her dress which would dissolve into an even darker purple. At the very hems of her dress, the colors would vanish into pure black.
James couldn't help but compare how Amber's dress was big, extravagant, and a bit too exposing to Sofia's slim, modest, and teasing dress. It was as if these two sisters were complete opposites of each other.
"Amber, you look great," Sofia tried to say, sounding a bit too pitched to James's ears.
"I know," she replied with a confident smile. "I'm so happy that we chose to go with these matching sunsets and sunrises colors for the ball."
Well, my guesses were right, James thought to himself.
"Anyway," Amber continued on, "what are you doing in here, Sofia?"
Driving me crazy and letting me kiss her senseless, James happily replied in his mind, slightly smiling to himself.
"I-I'm just helping James with his pins," James heard Sofia shakily reply. Sofia returned her face to James's chest and began to actually fasten onto him the royal pins.
"I can see that," Amber replied with a wave of her hand. "I mean, what are you doing here? I thought you were with Baileywick, helping him with the ball's preparations."
"Baileywick told me he didn't need my help so I just wanted to see how James was doing. He needed someone to help him with his pins."
"Well, James can do that himself," Amber said with another wave of her hand as she walked towards the two of them and pulled on Sofia's arm. "Come, I made a slight change to the party's details."
"What do you mean?" Sofia looked at Amber with an arched brow. James was glad to see that her cheeks weren't red anymore and her eyes weren't as hazed.
"Don't look at me like that, Sofia. It's actually a good new detail." Amber then dragged Sofia away from James and pulled her out into the hallway.
James didn't like to see her being dragged away from him, it only reminded him of Amber willingly placing Sofia into Cyrus's arms. So he simply followed the two out while fixing the last pin onto himself, wanting to make sure that Sofia remained away from that fool and his accomplices.
James walked beside Sofia as Amber continued to explain her reasoning as to why she added a last minute detail to the already busy plans. As they made their way towards the ballroom, James would "accidentally" brush his hand against Sofia's once in a while just to feel the electricity that would run through him whenever his skin touched hers. He enjoyed watching her subtle reactions to his touches; the first time, he saw her eyes widen ever so slightly and look over at him with suspicious expression. That time, James simply looked ahead and tried to keep his face as straight as possible, but he knew that the corners of his lips betrayed him by curling into a smirk. And the cycle would continue on for a few more times until the fifth time, when he continued to slyly and playfully touch her hand, she returned the favor and quickly squeezed his fingertips. Those tiny pinches nearly made James burst into a fit of laughter, forcing James to bite down his laugh and try to pretend to look as bored as possible.
When they finally made it just outside of the ballroom's grand white oak doors, Amber then pointed at a long table on the right of the doors that held many various masks with a loud, "ta-da!"
James notice that some were simple pure white masks while others were more extravagantly decorated with gems, glitter, and feathers, half of the displayed masks were hand held ones while others were tied with satin ribbons. But what they all had in common was that none of the masks were full-faced masks, the types that hid the entire face. The masks either hid only partial or just the upper half of the face, and the more feminine ones were either made of lace or thin filigree masks. The masculine ones where more of the plain looking ones that had some gold or metallic etching around them.
"Masks?" Sofia said reluctantly, reaching out and touching one of the metal framed masks.
"Yes!" Amber responded all too excitedly, jumping up and down while clapping her hands. "Since it is Halloween tomorrow, I really thought it would be best to have these."
"But I thought we weren't going with a masquerade theme?" Sofia asked.
"Yes, but I feel like it would just be better to have them," James heard the whine in Amber's voice. "Anyway, I had these really nice and special masks made for us," Amber said as she whipped out two masks that matched their dresses.
The one Amber handed to Sofia was a Berenice Venetian masquerade mask, its colors faded from pastel pink to light orange and yellow. Amber's was of the same type of mask, except for the darker fading of colors. Both masks was a set of intricate curls, lacing, and twisting thin lines of metals, forming some delicate design of the metalwork.
And when Sofia hesitantly put on the mask, it looked like it molded right on to her face and just shaped itself to fit her.
"Amber, when did you have time for this to be done?" Sofia asked.
"About four days ago, while we were having our dresses fitted. So, I kind of had this all planned out for a while now."
"It's already too late to remove these masks from the ball's details, isn't it?" Sofia asked as she removed the mask after briefly putting it on.
"Yes," Amber bluntly said, already smiling like she won.
Letting out a tried groan, Sofia just looked at Amber with a small, defeated smile. "Fine, I guess we can keep the masks. But, you should have talked to me about this, Amber."
"I know, I know. Sorry," Amber responded with happy squeals and claps, jumping up and down joyously from winning their discussion over the masks before looking over at James with a less happy expression. "Oh, right. James, here is your mask," she said as she tossed him a dark blue mask with silver swirls above and around the eye holes. On the edgings, there was glittery markings that popped out.
"Uh… thank you…." James said as he looked over the mask in his hands.
"You should be," Amber said with a haughty raised brow. "Do you know hard it was to make those last minute changes to your mask when you complained about that brown suit of yours?"
"Well, if you would have just told me earlier of what my suit was going to look like instead of just yesterday, I could have saved you all of the 'trouble' of changing my mask color," James replied irritated.
"You know, I didn't have to get you a mask. I could have just let you chose any of these on the table right here," Amber retorted as she stepped up to him and glared.
"I bet that if you would have just let me chose my own suit, any of these mask would have done just fine."
"Well, you know what –"
James was certain that she was about to curse at him before Sofia stepped in between them and gently pushed the two of them apart.
"Okay, okay," Sofia said as she placed her hands on James's chest. It took every fiber in him to not completely grasp onto her hands. "Well, it's pointless to even be upset and fight about it since the ball is tonight."
"Well, I'm not the one who's upset about it," Amber glared over at James behind Sofia.
"Okay, okay," Sofia said soothingly at his twin sister. "Why don't you just take us through all of the ball's details like you wanted, Amber?"
"Fine." Amber turned her attention to the masks and absently began to rearrange them with a pout on her face. "But he has to promise that he won't go and try to fight everyone there!"
"James," Sofia looked over at him. "You have to promise that you'll at least try and behave tonight?"
"I did promise you that," James whispered so low that he was certain that Amber couldn't have heard him.
"Yes, but Amber wants to hear you promise it to her."
"Ugh, fine." James looked begrudgingly over at his awaiting sister and tried to not pay any attention at the taste of vomit that threatened at the back of his mouth. "Amber, I promise you that I'll be on my best behavior tonight."
Glaring some more before rolling her eyes at him, Amber promptly turned on her heels and continued her way into the ball room. "Good."
"You know, I only said it for you right?" James whispered low to Sofia as the two began to walk side by side as Amber strolled ahead of them and started to go over the ball's details.
"No," Sofia teased. James saw her usual enchanting smile grow at the corners of her lips as they continued to follow Amber around the ballroom. "But it's nice to know."
As Amber's tour of the ballroom went on, James barely managed to listen to a word she said. He grew bored and tired as the minutes pasted. The only things he could barely remember was that she had long buffet tables of treats, snacks, and drinks set around the circumference of the room. He noticed that one long, curved table displayed many varieties of cookies; some were in the shape of jack-o-lanterns and autumn leaves while others were decorated to look like sunflower seeds and tiny acorns. Each table seem to be designated to hold different items; one held simple snacks like wrapped candies held in colored glass bowls while another held many different types of drinks.
I hate to admit it, but Amber really out did herself, James reluctantly admitted to himself. This place looks amazing.
The décor of the entire ball room was spectacular.
Hung high on the ceiling were six long autumn garlands that all connected in the center with a large orb of sparking lights. Several other smaller orbs dotted the ceiling and shimmered down specks of lights all around the air and floor. James vaguely heard Amber continue on about how she had their royal sorcerer create the sparkling lights just for the ball. And it seems that she had Cedric shrink down the grand chandelier so the shimmering lights would illuminate the room instead.
Everywhere, James took in notice of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes that scattered here and there in the grand room. Amber seemed to have chosen very colorful pumpkins: there were the traditional orange pumpkins and some off white ones, but the ones that really got his attention was the unusual blue moon pumpkins, bright red pumpkins, and the really textured ones that look scarred and stripped with blue-green colors. Some smaller ones were placed decoratively on the tables while the larger ones were placed in the corners of the room with some metallic acorns and nuts stack.
Some of the tables' centerpieces were large clear jars of nuts and pine-cones that had hydrangea and bare sticks artfully standing on top. On the large floor to ceiling windows and large arch doors that led out to the balconies, there were more garlands of leaves and feathers that were dotted with small golden berries. More brown and gold stacks of wheat and sunflowers were sprayed around the room as far as James could tell.
On the grand staircase of the ballroom, there were gold and orange ribbons and streamers that intertwined around it and connected with an open tall and thin looking pumpkin that was filled with bundles of wild oats and silver magnolia leaves. On the sides of the staircase, there were miniature bay leaf wreaths that were sprayed with even more silver and gold berries.
All around, James in complete awe with the ballroom. The entire room was completely changed into an autumn wonderland. Colors of orange, red, silver, gold, and brown danced before him and captivated his eyes. For so long, James has never seen the palace's boring ballroom decorated into such a wonderful and glistening autumn enchantment. Even the air smelled of cinnamon, cider, and ripe apples.
"Wow…." James heard Sofia utter beside him. "This is all so amazing, Amber…."
"I'd have to agree with Sof," James followed her. "This is incredible."
"I know," Amber gushed at herself. "Parties are my talent."
And for a long while, until about half an hour before the guest were expected to arrive that night, Amber continued to shout orders at many of the staff members just to ensure that every last detail was to her expectations. Then, when things were all set and done, Amber called for Sofia and her to retreat back into their rooms to retouch their make-up and would return out in just a few minutes. So, until their return, James continued to wander around the ballroom and stealing small snacks to occupy his time.
Soon, some guest began to arrive ahead of time and scatter in towards the ballroom. And with all those who entered, it was easy for James to identify who was who exactly, even before royal announcer would bellow out who had officially arrived at the party, because each and every mask did little to hide their faces. Some were shear and see-through.
The first to arrive was King Jin and Princess Jun of Wei-Ling. Jin and Jun's father and mother had both died three years ago and since then, Jin has taken the throne of their kingdom and Jun was appointed as his personal adviser. Both in westernized clothing, James noticed that Jin and his sister have both grown and matured handsomely. Jin wasn't the exact image of his father, instead he was a good foot taller than him by the time he was only fifteen and had a full head of hair that was now cut into a westernized style that was short at the sides but he still maintained his traditional braid behind his head that somehow matched well with his westernized clothing. Jun, however, was almost identical to her mother in beauty and grace. She was slim and petite with full and long black hair that was styled into a traditional Wei-Ling headdress.
Some other students that James wasn't all too familiar with soon arrived shortly after Jun and his sister. James wasn't all that surprised at how much everyone has grown because he would always meet with them once or twice a month on business trips regarding trade or politics. James didn't relatively recognize the others as he wasn't as close with them as he once were with his former friends, Zandar and Khalid.
And with that thought, James notice Zandar, Khalid, and Desmond all walk in together. Zandar was wearing his traditional Tangu white and emerald green robe with a matching turban. Khalid was wearing his customary white, gold, and green robe with matching beige shirt and pants that had small designs on its hems. James noticed that he wasn't wearing his royal head wrap, instead it seem that he had decided to leave his long dreadlocks into a ponytail. It made him look a lot more rugged since he seems to have also grown out a dark shadow of a beard around his jawline. Just beside him was Desmond, who was wearing a simple black and white suit with his dirty blonde hair neatly cut and styled back.
All three of them have grown and muscled well into good-looking young men. James knew that Zandar, the tallest among the three, has recently grown out his hair and became invested in his looks as he is now engaged to Princess Hildegard, who has not outgrown her somewhat shallow ways. In recent years, James learned that Desmond has earned many awards and prizes for his contributions to the arts and sciences, becoming the most renowned and respected academic prodigy at only eighteen all throughout James's empire. Shortly after James's ascent to the throne, James was told that Khalid was appointed as his kingdom's military head by his sister, Queen Maya. His other sister, Princess Leena continued her schooling and became Kaldune's most famous fashion designer.
James then saw both sisters enter behind their brother. They were dressed in what James took as Kaldune's most fashion forward attire; with long and colorful patterned dresses, they looked beautiful and everything a Kaldune queen and princess should look. Their heads were dressed in shear veils behind their royal headdresses and jewels.
As more people began to trickle in, the party soon started into full swing and James simply stayed in the corner as it was obvious that everyone was avoiding him. The only time they simply approached him was to simply greet and shake hands with him as it was a part of royal etiquette. Even Ruby and Jade said hello to him when they arrived, despite what Sofia had told him about their collective hatred for him. After that, no one dared to talk or look at him. Bored, James just continued to sip punch out of his glass up and silently observe everyone that enter.
Next, he heard Princess Vivian be announce and he noticed that she had cut her hair shoulder length short. He saw that she was wearing some ice blue, long-sleeved ballgown, the usual simple and modest gown for Vivian. The last he heard about Vivian, James learned that she had begun to undergo her queenly training even though she was becoming a musical sensation in the empire. But since news broke of her mother's decision to retire from the throne, Vivian gave up her musical dream for her responsibilities to her kingdom.
The last to officially arrive was Princess Hildegard of Friezenberg and Princess Clio of Corinthia. James couldn't help but roll his eyes at how extravagantly Hildegard was dressed. Just like Amber, she wore a large and very billowy ballgown that was probably twice her size. Her dress was a light red, pink, and white dress that was filled with nothing but lace ruffles and sequences. She was even wearing a bright and shining crown on the top of her overly curled hair. Besides her engagement to Zandar, the only thing he knew about Hildegard was that she was helping her older sister prepare for her coronation. Other than that, he just heard rumors that she would either hold or attend a lot of parties.
Couldn't help but try to overshadow Amber and Sofia, huh Hildegard? James thought.
In a more simple dress, James saw that Clio was dressed in a nice looking yellow sleeved satin gown that had only pearls and small tracing of silk at the bottoms and waistline of her dress. She even chose a small yellow rhinestone mask that matched her dress. Besides Hugo, Clio was the only one that James did not know much on. All that he could really say about her was that she was always seen with Hildegard attending or cohosting her parties with her. Even after all these years, the two were inseparable.
Everyone continued to mingle and reconnect with one another until the royal trumpets began to blow, signifying that Sofia's and Amber's grand entrance was about to begin.
And taking his place at the bottom of the staircase, James waited patiently for each of them to descend the stairs to the sound of applauses so he can first escort Amber to the center of the ballroom and then Sofia.
After escorting Amber to the center, James watched in complete amazement at how captivating Sofia was as she came down the stairs and stopped in front of him. James didn't know how it was possible, but it seems that she has become ten times more beautiful than when he last saw her just a few hours ago. Her cheeks look redder, her eyes shined brighter… her lips look fuller and more kissable than ever.
Oh how he wanted to just capture those lips again….
But not here. Not now.
Fighting himself once again, James simply took her small warm hand into his and presented both Sofia and Amber to their reunited class from Royal Prep. More applause sounded throughout the entire ballroom as everyone cheered and looked in awe at the two.
As customary of the kingdom's tradition, James was to lead the first dance of the ball with Amber as she was the eldest among the two. And as he held out his hand waiting for her to take it so that they can get their miserable dance over with, she rudely turned away and began to walk towards one of the posted guards at the far end of the room and began to drag one of the guards forward into the center of the dance floor. James recognized him as Sir Edwards, Amber's personally appointed guard.
James saw the shock and apprehension register on Sir Edward's face and everyone else in the room as Amber continue to pull him with her, the guard even tried to protest in hushed tones that a princess shouldn't be dancing with a palace guard. James heard his sister reply back that it's her party, she can do whatever she wants.
Standing in front of him now, Amber raised her chin and looked James squarely in the eyes with a strength that could almost match Sofia's. "I'll be dancing with Sir Edwards instead." And without another word, Amber turned on her heels and began to dance with the guard when the music commenced.
James then felt a growing warmth in his still outreached hand. Looking over, he saw that Sofia had placed her own into his and let out a small laugh.
"Don't worry about her, I think she had that all planned out just like she did with the masks," Sofia said as he lead her out into the center of the dance floor to join Amber and her guard.
He then felt a warm smile grow on his lips as the rest of the world began to fade away and it was only the two of them dancing beneath the rain of shimmering lights. James could feel his heart grow warm with each beat that came next. He doesn't know how to explain it, but it was the way she looked up at him with complete honesty and love that made him feel completely and utterly happy at the moment, a moment that he wants to be permanently pierced into his mind and soul.
"You really do look beautiful right now, Sofia," James smiled down at her, enjoying the way how she gazed only at him with eyes full of love.
Sofia only looked at him with warm eyes and let out a gentle laugh. "You don't look half bad, yourself."
He wanted the rest of his life to be just like this moment, where they were in a world of their own and nothing, no one could come into it. It would just be the two of them, together.
James and Sofia twirled and spun together on the dance floor, mixing with the small twinkling lights that shined around them. Her laugh echoed around them, setting the place into a fit of bells and jingles. He noticed how some little stars of light landed on top of Sofia's head, giving her an extra crown of light around her and brightening up her ever blue eyes even more.
At this point in the dance, James didn't even hear the music anymore. It was only just the sounds of their small laughs dancing their own dance and the wondrous look Sofia was giving James as he continued to waltz with her around the dance floor.
She was utterly captivating in his arms.
And he never wanted this to end….
But it did.
To his disappointment, the sound of loud clapping that erupted once the music stopped immediately brought James out of his wonderland with Sofia. Then many others, the young men especially, made their way towards his two sisters. The princesses and queens all complemented on how wonderful Amber and Sofia looks, admiring their dresses and amazing colors. James saw, however, that the men all were admiring more than their dresses and colors. He knew that their eyes lingered on Sofia's exposed skin and special assets. Gritting his teeth and biting his tongue, James decided to just remain by her side and stand closely behind her throughout the rest of the party. No one really paid any attention to him as they conversed with Sofia and Amber, they all just continued to talk to only them and never did their conversation include him on any grounds.
All in all, though, James would say things went smoothly; no fights or arguments came about at the party. He remained level headed and calm the entire time at the party, with the exceptions of a couple glares and scoffs at several kings and princes who asked for a dance with her. James just had to unwillingly relent and watch Sofia dance with other men from where he stood near the drinks table.
By what he felt as halfway through the ball, James had walked back and forth from Sofia to the drinks nearly ten times now. Possibly on his twelve cup of punch, James continued to jealously watch as Sofia danced with Prince Desmond and see her smile at him among the sea of large dresses.
Just hang in there, James, he encouraged himself. This is only for tonight. Tomorrow, she's going to be back in your arms.
Suddenly, loud trumpets blared and silenced the entire festivities.
Looking at the source of the interruption, James saw a single masculine figure stand at the top of the ballroom's grand staircase.
Then the royal announcer called out, "Prince Hugo from the Kingdom of Albrosnia!"
What? James was stunned into silence. How is this even possible?!
The entire ballroom was now in busy with hushed gossip. Everyone around him began to whisper and talk to each other about the party crasher.
"What is Hugo doing here?" James heard Jin say to Khalid and Zandar. "I thought he disappeared five years ago?"
"I don't know, but five bucks says it's because he heard Sofia was back," Zandar replied to the two of them.
What?!
"Oh, totally. The guy was absolutely crazy about Sofia back at Royal Prep," Khalid said. "So, it wouldn't be a big surprise if he would come running over here when news of Sofia's and Amber's return reached Albrosnia."
The only thing James definitively knew about Hugo was that he decided to run away after James claimed his kingdom and disappeared. No one has seen or heard from him in nearly five years, there were only rumors and speculations about his whereabouts throughout the years. Some claiming that Hugo had gone into hiding and was seeking help from rebellious forces throughout the empire. But those didn't prove true when James had his top soldiers and knights look into those rumors.
"But for the guy to come all the way to Enchancia just for a girl, even if that girl was Sofia, now if that doesn't say love, then I don't what does," Jin said as he watched Hugo walk down the stairs.
No! He can't be in love with her!
James always knew that Hugo had some type of childish crush on Sofia when they were younger. Back in her early days at Royal Prep and after she defeated him at the school's flying derby tryouts, Hugo would always bully Sofia in some form or another. But after they won Royal Prep's first ever Flying Crown together, James didn't like how close they grew. And before he even knew it, Hugo became a close friend of Sofia's. Besides Jun, Maya, and Desmond, Hugo became closer and closer to Sofia as they went on to win two Flying Crown tournaments together.
And James hated it.
He hated how close she was to Hugo and Desmond. He hated how popular she was with all of the boys at Royal Prep. She wasn't as popular as Amber, but Sofia was still one of the most beautiful girls at the academy.
And James tried his best to keep the boys away from her, especially Hugo. Hugo always tried something with Sofia in order to try and court her in some way, but James always managed to beat him to the punch and keep his precious Sofia away from him. Over time, James and Hugo built up an unhealthy friendship and rivalry, Hugo wanting to court his sister and James trying to protectively keep her a good distance away from him, but on the track, they were an unbeatable trio. He didn't understand it at first as to why he hated all of the boys' attention on Sofia, but now he does. It was because he didn't want anyone to touch her because James loves Sofia, in more than one way.
James felt his blood starting to run cold as he could only watch his old rival made his way towards Sofia.
Hugo was wearing a thick white and gold mask that hid his face well, it only showed his annoying hazel colored eyes and the bottom half portion of his stupid face as he walked towards Sofia in his trademark cocky stride. Matching his mask, Hugo was wearing a pure white jacket that had gold cuffs and black pants and tie. James would even say that he was wearing a "Prince Charming" style suit, complete with the gold epaulets. His dark brown hair was cut short on the sides and left fuller on the top, and James hated how it gave him a distinguished air of confidence and smugness.
Hugo stopped right in front of Sofia and reached out his hand, asking for a dance from her.
No! No! Sofia, decline! Don't say yes!
James watched as Sofia looked over at Desmond and that little coward just smiled at her before backing away from the two, leaving them all alone at the center of the dance floor.
Sofia smiled up at Hugo and took his hand.
No! No! No! No! James internally screamed as his eyes followed them.
James's legs felt like pure solid sticks of lead. He couldn't move, no matter how hard he tried. He wanted to go and rip Sofia from Hugo's arms, but he couldn't. He promised Sofia that he would behave and try to not start any fights. He said that he would try his best to not do anything stupid.
Then he saw that their lips were moving and whatever Hugo said made Sofia laugh.
The air around them was something else completely. The lights shined and danced with them as they twirled around the entire dance floor. Dressed the way he is, it was like Hugo was her prince charming and Sofia was his princess.
"They look like the most perfect couple," James heard one of the princesses around him sigh.
No. No they don't!
And the entire time he continued to watch, James grew angry. Very angry.
The monster within was reawakening again.
Suddenly Sofia and Hugo stopped dancing all together. Hugo was saying something that appeared to be really important to her.
And then the moments that happened next began to move in slow motion.
Hugo took a step forward until he was just centimeters apart from Sofia, cupped her face into his stupid hands. His lips moved to form words that James couldn't decipher and he smiled down at her as she just stared up at him with wide eyes. He began to lower his head down even slower than ever and pressed his lips onto Sofia's.
He kissed her.
Right there.
In front of everyone.
In front of James.
James then saw only red as he charged at Hugo with a fury he has never felt before and everything turned into pure chaos.
With as much power as he could muster, James tore Hugo away from Sofia and punched him. His mask went flying as Hugo landed hard on the marble floor.
Then Hugo turned and glared up at James with a bloodied lip.
Beside him, James heard Sofia gasp. "Cyrus?"
Chapter 13! Woo!
Again, thank you to everyone who reviewed and PM'ed me a lot of "get well" wishes. All of those meant a lot to me, so a big and happy thank you to you all! My health has been improving as the days pass; it's not completely all good and well, but it is getting a lot better.
There's not much for me to say here. I have just been really pushing for this chapter to come out before Halloween (in the US, sorry for anyone that is international) because this chapter was set around Halloween. I made it extra long because I absolutely love you all. I hope you like the big plot twist I put in at the end. *Evil Smile* You like? And what about those JamesFia moments? *Raised brow* Hmm?
Read, Review, Etc.
Thanks :)
