|
|
|
In general, female monarchs tried to avoid marrying foreign princes or kings. It always ended in disaster. The new king-consort would always control, and their country's interests would overtake those of his wife's country.
But I was a very strong-willed, independent queen, and my advisers could attest to that. And we were all desperate. So foreigners came flocking into the court. And I found who I was looking for.
He came from a country of which no one had ever heard. We had no idea what he might be like, or what benefits he might bring to the throne of Duremia. His prospects were dubious.
He arrived later than expected, delayed on the road. But, as I was sitting at prom, bored out of my mind, listening to the Prince of Aekemia try in vain to make conversation...there he was.
"Edward, Prince of Vampyria," he announced confidently, bowing and cutting off the other prince in mid-sentence.
I shouldn't have laughed, but I was so bored, and he was so impertinent. The Aekemian prince stuttered indignantly, but Prince Edward ignored him and kissed my hand.
He was incredibly handsome--as were all the princes. But he was handsome in such an uncommon way. His hair was a bright red, something I had never seen before, and he shared my rare green eyes. Every feature was filled with reckless youth. His hair was tousled around his gold circlet. His face was light, open, bright. His whole aura was one of freshness and vitality and life.
"May I have this dance?" he asked me in a voice as light as the rest of him.
"I suppose so," I sighed coyly, and he took my hand and led me to the floor, leaving the prince from Aekemia speechless and flushed with anger.
Edward twirled me around with amazing skill. He was probably the best dancer I'd ever known. Even the dance floor's darling, Lord Philip, could not compare.
"You are a lovely dancer, Miss Alisyn," he told me as the song ended and the orchestra began a new one.
Again, his impertinence shocked and amused me at the same time. "I beg your pardon?" I gasped.
The prince swept a low bow. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I just find formalities so cumbersome. Why can I not call you something more creative? Your Loveliness? Your Beauty? Your...Rapturousness?"
I covered my smile with my daintily gloved hand. "You are very cheeky."
"That I am," Edward agreed with a roguish wink. "You are surrounded by courtiers bowing and scraping all around you. I thought I might show my adoration in a more intimate, entertaining way."
He spun me around and brought me close to him. My breath caught in my throat.
"I suppose I should let the other suitors finish boring you to tears. But I'll be here, Your Loveliness. Don't forget me, all right?"
It was true. I had many more princes to entertain. I nodded courteously and walked calmly away. But my flushing cheeks betrayed me.
I did my duty, but no one dazzled me like that Prince of Vampyria. Through the rest of the night, I looked for him whenever one of the suitors wasn't looking. And when Edward caught me staring, he would grin and wink. The others could not hold my interest. I spent the whole night longing to dance with him again.
 LadyAlisyn · Tue Jun 02, 2009 @ 10:09pm · 0 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
