The Princess The King Desire

Chapter 3 The Blue Rose

*Alice's POV*

Today, I turn eighteen.

Surprisingly, Father has agreed to Grandpa’s request to hold a ball in my honor.

This is the first time I will ever attend a ball.

All my life, I have been kept in the dark.

Though I live within these castle walls, my father’s wife, Lady Roseline, never permitted me to be seen. While my sisters were presented at court, taught to dance, taught to speak, I was given books and silence.

But today is different.

Today I wear the gown Grandpa had made for me.

I stand before the tall mirror in my chambers, and the girl looking back at me does not feel like me.

Grandpa arranged everything. The musicians. The guests. The flowers. This gown.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for him. Without him, I would still be watching from behind a door.

The makeup artist, Erica, steps back and studies me.

"You are already radiant, my princess," she says softly. "All you require now is the faintest touch."

The door opens and Eva, my maid, comes in with a tray.

She sets my breakfast on the table.

"My Princess," she says, smoothing the folds of my dress, "you must eat. You always skip your morning meal, and Grandpa, the General, will be displeased if he hears of it."

I meet her eyes in the mirror.

"I know," I whisper, fingers worrying at the hem of my old chemise. "I am simply... excited. And nervous."

"I know," Eva says gently. "It is your first time. You will meet dukes and counts, lords and envoys. Men of every station will be in attendance. Perhaps today you will find your suitor."

I let out a shaky breath.

"I know. It is going to be a great day. I only pray I do not cause any trouble."

Erica rests her hands lightly on my shoulders.

"My princess, you will be just fine. Hold your head high. The court will see what we see."

She packs her brushes, curtsies, and takes her leave.

"Farewell, Miss Erica," I say.

Eva shuts the door behind her.

"Now," she says, eyes shining, "let us dress you as the princess you are."

She lifts the gown from its stand.

It is navy blue. Deep, like the sky just before dawn. The bodice is stitched with thousands of tiny crystals that catch the light like stars. It has long sheer sleeves and a train that pools behind me like water.

"It is so beautiful," I breathe. "Grandpa must have spent a fortune."

"Come," Eva urges, lacing me in. "All the princes from the neighboring kingdoms have arrived with their retinues. You cannot keep them waiting."

I manage a few bites of food despite the tightness in my stomach.

"Let me help you with your shoes," Eva says, kneeling.

I sat while she fastened the delicate straps. My hands were trembling.

"There," Eva said, standing. "You look like something from a story."

She picked up the small bouquet Grandpa had sent white lilies tied with navy ribbon and placed it in my hands.

"Shall we?"

We walked together down the corridor. Servants bowed as we passed. The sound of music grew louder with every step. Violins. Laughter. The murmur of a hundred voices.

At the great doors of the ballroom, two footmen stood waiting.

Eva squeezed my hand once.

"You will be wonderful, my princess."

The doors opened.

Light and music spilled out. The entire court turned.

I felt hundreds of eyes on me on the gown, on the jewels in my hair, on the girl who had never been presented before.

Grandpa stood near the dais in his general’s uniform, medals gleaming. When he saw me, his stern face softened. Pride was there, plain to see.

And beside him stood my father. And Lady Roseline, with a smile that did not reach her eyes. My sisters were there too, in pale gowns, watching me with expressions I could not name.

I walked forward, chin high, just as Grandpa taught me.

The whispers followed me.

"Is that the General’s granddaughter?"

"She’s never been seen before."

"She’s... beautiful."

Father gave a stiff nod. Roseline curtsied.

"Happy birthday, dear," she said. The words sounded rehearsed.

Grandpa stepped forward and took my hand.

"You look lovely, child," he said quietly. "Are you ready?"

I nodded.

He led me to the center of the floor. The music slowed.

"My granddaughter, Lady Hazel of Elindor," he announced, voice carrying. "On the occasion of her eighteenth year."

Applause. Bows. Curtsies.

My cheeks burned.

Grandpa squeezed my hand. "I will be right here," he murmured, and stepped back.

And then another man stepped forward.

Tall. Dressed in black. Long coat, high collar, leather gloves, silver belt at the waist. He moved with a quiet authority that made the room part for him.

Dark eyes found mine.

I knew that face from portraits in the hall. From the way people bowed lower when he passed.

Crown Prince Lucien.

He stopped before me and bowed.

"Princess Hazel," he said. His voice was low, even. "May I have the honor of your first dance?"

I curtsied. "Your Highness."

From the side, I heard Father clear his throat.

"Of course, Your Highness," Father said quickly. "The first dance is yours."

Lucien extended his hand.

I placed mine in his. His glove was cool against my skin.

He led me to the center of the floor. The musicians began.

His hand settled at my waist. Mine rested on his shoulder.

We moved.

He danced with a precision that made everything else fade. The whispers. The stares. Roseline’s tight smile. It all disappeared.

"You dance well," I said, because the silence was too much.

"I have been waiting to," he replied.

I blinked. "Waiting?"

"For this ball," he said simply. "For you to be presented."

My heart skipped.

"I... I did not know you knew of me, Your Highness."

"I know many things, Princess Hazel," he said. His gaze did not leave mine. "I know you prefer books to balls. I know you rise early. I know your grandfather speaks of you often."

Heat rose to my cheeks.

"Grandpa talks about me?"

"Often," Lucien said. A faint, almost imperceptible curve touched his mouth. "He says you have his stubbornness."

I couldn’t help it. I laughed, quiet and surprised.

"I do not.."

"You do," he cut in, but not unkindly. "And it suits you."

The song continued. Around us, other couples began to dance, but it felt like we were the only two in the room.

"Your Highness," I said after a moment. "May I ask you something?"

"You may."

"Why did you ask for the first dance?"

He was quiet for a beat.

"Because it is tradition that the highest-ranking guest claims it," he said. "And because I wished to."

There was nothing coy in his tone. No flirtation. Just certainty.

The music slowed to an end. He did not release me immediately.

"Thank you for the dance, Princess Hazel," he said.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

He bowed, and I curtsied. As he stepped back, the court surged forward lords seeking introductions, ladies seeking favor, my sisters watching from the sidelines.

Grandpa came to my side at once.

"How do you feel?" he asked quietly.

"Overwhelmed," I admitted. "And... glad."

He smiled. "You did well."

For the rest of the evening, I was introduced to more people than I could count. Dukes, ambassadors, knights. I smiled until my cheeks hurt. I answered questions about the weather, about the gardens, about nothing at all.

But my eyes kept finding him.

Lucien.

Across the room, speaking with envoys. Laughing once with one of his brothers. Watching me when he thought I wasn’t looking.

When the orchestra struck up a waltz later, he crossed the floor again.

"May I?" he asked, offering his hand.

I took it.

The second dance was easier. I was less afraid of stepping on his feet. Less afraid of him.

"You seem less nervous," he observed.

"I am," I said. "You are a very good partner, Your Highness."

"Lucien," he said quietly.

I looked up.

"Pardon?"

"You may call me Lucien. In private."

My breath caught. "That would be... improper."

"Perhaps," he said. "But we are not in private. We are in a ballroom, with two hundred witnesses. So call me Your Highness."

But his eyes said something else.

The dance ended. He escorted me back to Grandpa.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I said.

"The pleasure was mine, Princess Hazel," he replied, and bowed.

As he walked away, Eva appeared at my side with a glass of water.

"You did wonderfully," she whispered.

I nodded, but my hands were still trembling.

In my palm, I could still feel the cool touch of his glove.

Tonight was supposed to be about me turning eighteen.

But all I could think about was the Crown Prince who had asked for my first dance.

And the way he had said my name.

As I spoke with grand pa. Prince Lucien walks to my side, guards behind him.

He gives a slight bow to my father and his wife.

"Your highness, king Edward, I'll be taking my leave now and I will return soon enough to take a bride."

Elizabeth gives a sly smile.

"Princess Lucien why not stay a bit longer. you can have dinner here"

She said and flipp her hair back seeking his attention.

But he completely ignores her and turn to me.

"Princess Hazel, I would be leaving now, I'll get a lot of stuffs for you while coming next time. But for now have this."

He places a blue rose on my hair, fixing it properly.

Elizabeth gaspped

"Why her"

She said with a low voice.

"I'll come back for you"

Prince Lucien whispers into my ear before turning to my grandpa.

"General, please do good to take care of her, I'll be leaving"

he said and left.

I turned to see the queen staring daggers at me. I don't know why. But eyes could kill, I should be long gone.