"There's a masquerade ball being held in the afternoon," Mother told me from where she stood by my bedroom door.
I sat up on my bed quickly and my eyes widened, surprised and delighted by the news. Mother's eyes were gleaming however, so I told myself to relax as I stared at her. Lately whatever she told me had a catch to it, so I knew not to get my hopes up.
"Sadly, Philip won't be able to make it," Mother said, bringing a tiny smile to my lips. "He's busy, but you and I will go anyways."
I nodded and tried to hide my smile. It was too good to be true. It was what I needed after the recent events that happened with Philip. It was perfect. All because I had a good feeling that Alexander would be there.
Alexander. My heart fluttered at the thought of him, remembering how gorgeous he was. He was graceful and elegant too, and he had taught me to dance. He had fulfilled one of my lifelong dreams, and I would never forget that.
Grinning, I got up and prepared to get ready. For Alexander, I would try to look beautiful. I wanted him to think I was beautiful.
*****
Mother and I stepped into the same ballroom as last time and I smiled, amazed by the sight in front of me. Once again the lights were dimmed and pairs were soaring across the dance floor. Everyone looked happy and I remembered why I loved balls. They were just so beautiful.
"Let's sit down," Mother said, taking my hand in hers.
She took my hand gently and I thought about how balls were the only time she was ever gentle with me. In front of others, it was the only time I was her wonderful daughter she was proud of. I tried to push that thought aside as we sat down in front of the dance floor - again.
My eyes drifted to the dance floor and once again, I was mesmerized. I watched a pair dance and smile at each other, which led to me smiling as well. Then thinking about my own dance, I yearned for it again. That was when I thought about Alexander, and my eyes began to roam the room we were in.
My eyes went to man to man, hoping to spot Alexander. I felt my heart tighten, nerves twisting my gut, and I looked around praying I'd spot him. There was nothing more I wanted to do than get to know the handsome boy I knew I was smitten with.
But sadly, I didn't spot Alexander. He was nowhere in sight and I slouched in my seat, disappointed. I had been so excited to see him, but he wasn't anywhere to be found. I was disappointed.
"I'm guessing you're just going to stay here, so I'll be gone for a bit," Mother said, bringing my attention to her. "I'll be with King Henry."
"Okay," I said, thinking solely about Alexander.
As she left, I wondered why I was so upset. I barely knew Alexander. I had only ever seen him once. Before meeting him I hadn't been the type to fall easily - or ever actually - so I wondered what it was about Alexander. What made him different than any other guy?
Sighing, I knew I would never find out. Meeting Alexander had been a fluke and I would never see him again. Our one dance was all I had to remember him by.
I got up suddenly, tired of brooding. Knowing I should do something, I thought about the cookies at the table and decided to try one. It was better than sitting alone at the table.
So I began to walk to the table. As I walked my eyes went to the dance floor again, unable to help themselves. I watched as everyone twirled and smiled, dancing gracefully across the dance floor. It was such a beautiful sight, illuminated by the chandelier, which made me smile as I became mesmerized.
I became so mesmerized that I suddenly tripped over my own gown and falling forward, I crashed into someone's chest. Before I could fall down, they caught me and held me up as I was left breathless from my near fall. My head shot up then, ready to thank whoever had saved me.
As my eyes met the blue eyes I remembered from a month ago, they widened. My cheeks heated up because I was embarrassed and because I was in the arms of the boy I had so badly wanted to see, and I stood up quickly. Blushing, I was happy to feel his hands still on my arms, making sure I was alright. As he suddenly smiled, my embarrassment vanished and I became thrilled to see him.
"Easy there," he said gently, still holding me. "Don't scratch the art."
"The art?" I asked, confused.
Alexander pointed at my face and I flushed. My heart did a summersault and once again, I cursed my pale skin. I didn't know how Alexander could find my face beautiful when it was always bright red around him.
"You came," I said, not knowing what else to say. "I was looking for you."
As he grinned, I took the time to take Alexander in. He was still as gorgeous as I remembered him to be beneath his golden mask. His skin was a rich, golden colour, his jaw sharp. The smile he wore was stunning and it brightened up his lovely eyes. I didn't understand how someone could be so beautiful, especially when they wore a mask.
"How come?" Alexander asked, cocking his head as he continued to smile.
"Well I told you I wanted to get to know you," I said, becoming suddenly bold. "I don't forget my words."
"Really?" His smile turned into a smirk, and suddenly butterflies began to flutter in my stomach. "I thought you had found someone else."
I froze at those words, surprised. Philip popped into my mind and I flushed, remembering how Alex had reacted when he saw us together. Wondering if the word was going around and Alexander knew, I prayed that wasn't a case. If I had hoped Alex didn't find out, I wished Alexander didn't.
"I was joking," Alexander suddenly said, pulling me by my arms so that I was closer to him. "Relax sweetheart. I know who you love."
I tried to hide my surprise as my eyes locked with his. He knew, I thought to myself in horror. Alexander knew and even if I had been obvious about it, I was mortified.
"Dance is who you love," Alexander said, breaking out into a smile. "Gosh sweetheart, you seem spooked today."
I shook my head, knowing I was acting strange. After everything that had been happening lately, I was just worried. Worried that all of the secrets I wanted to keep hidden would be let out, thus ruining my life. That was why I was so scared.
Knowing I needed to relax, I said teasingly, "Wow, secret's out. How did you know I love dance?"
"I saw how mesmerized you looked as you walked by the dance floor. Your eyes shone in a way that I could only describe as love." His eyes sparkled. "And I mean, you were so mesmerized you tripped. It was like you literally fell for dance."
I laughed at that. My heart was light and my stomach was fluttering with butterflies. Alexander's hands were still on me and I loved the feeling. I loved being around him.
"Beautiful," Alexander suddenly mumbled.
"What?" I asked, even though I heard him.
As a princess I received a lot of compliments. Compliments about my beauty especially, but none of them compared to way Alexander's made me feel. His simple compliments such as that had my heartbeat accelerating to dangerous speeds and stomach twisting, and I knew that sounded scary, but that was what I loved. I loved how different it made me feel because I was so tired of my same old life.
"Beautiful," he simply said, as if it was a fact. "You're so beautiful."
I didn't know what drove me to be so bold, but I put my arms around his neck. We were already standing close, but I pulled him even closer to me. What he said made my heart melt and as my cheeks turned rosy, I knew my feelings were serious. I knew Alexander was the man I wanted.
"Am I now?" I whispered as we stared into each other's eyes.
"You are," he answered immediately. "You're unbelievably beautiful."
I believed Alexander's words. That was what I also loved about them. They always sounded sincere and meaningful, and those compliments meant the most. I could be called beautiful a million times by people who didn't mean it from the bottom of their hearts or once by someone who did. Always I would choose that one person.
"I think you are indescribably handsome," I said, smiling suddenly. "And I would like to ask a favour."
"I know what that favour is and the answer is yes." Alexander smiled. "This is more of a blessing to me, however."
My smile grew as Alexander led me to the dance floor. As we began to dance and stare into each other's eyes, I had an incredible feeling about what would come. I felt like we would have a good ending. Never had I felt such a connection to anyone, so I wondered if this was like the tales of princesses meeting their princes. One day you would meet them and have your life change for the better, and I hoped this was it. I hoped as I felt beautiful and elegant as I danced.