His Enchanted Swan

Chapter Eighteen

Excitement was throughout the kingdom, for it was the Princess Odette’s birthday. Everyone, from the peasants to the nobles, was celebrating the day of her eighteenth year. There was to be a masquerade ball as well, but the ball itself was more than just a birthday celebration. It was also the official announcement of Princess Odette’s betrothal to Prince Siegfried.

As Odette was getting ready, her handmaidens were in attendance. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, as they helped the young princess get ready for the ball. Everyone in the kingdom felt joyous about the grand occasion. Everyone that is, except for the Princess Odette. This was the day she had been dreading for the past ten years.

Odette remembered the bully that teased her mercilessly, and taunted her beloved swans. She also remembered how he tried to harm the owl, by throwing a rock at it, and causing the injured creature to fall from the sky. Yet she stood up to Siegfried, and in doing so, saved the owl’s life.

The owl, whom she dreamed about almost every night, had not been in her dreams for the past s two months. Not since she had that nightmare about him being the evil owl king, and abducting her in the middle of the night. It frightened her, as he had tricked her into pledging her eternal love for him, while also forcing her to-

“Your gown, and your mask are here, you’re majesty.” One of the handmaidens informed her, as she had interrupted Odette’s train of thought. The handmaiden’s eyes lit up, as she brought the costume to her. Odette of course, decided to go as a pure white swan. After all, they were her favorite animal, she had always admired their grace and beauty.

Odette looked at the mask, it was amazing. The royal seamstresses had done an amazing job on her costume. She then picked up the mask, and admired the fine craftsmanship. Perhaps she was dreading the party, but at least she knew her costume would make her feel beautiful.

Odette then looked at the actual gown. All of a sudden, her eyes widened as she became frightened. Her body began to tremble. One of the handmaidens must have noticed.

“Are you alright your majesty?” The handmaiden asked, with a look of concern.

“Um, I’m-I’m fine.” Odette replied as she gave her a shy smile. “I guess I’m just anxious about this evening.” But in truth, she was not fine. She didn’t know how it was possible. The gown was exactly the same, as the one she wore, when she danced with the owl king in her dream.

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As the ball began, Odette made her grand entrance. With extravagant fanfare, all eyes were upon her, as she made her way to her parents.

“I hope you are enjoying your party, my dear.” Her father said, as he smiled at her.

“It’s amazing father!” She gleefully replied. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, my child.” He said, as he smiled.

“You look absolutely beautiful.” Her mother added. “You have always been our graceful swan. I hope you like the ballgown.”

“It’s beautiful.” Odette told her. “I was wondering who designed it.”

“I just told the royal seamstress to design a gown fit for a swan.” The queen replied. “You like it, don’t you?”

“Oh, of course.” Said Odette. “In fact, you could say that it was everything I had ever dreamed.”

“Well I am glad to hear that.” Her mother responded with a smile.

At that moment, trumpets began to sound, as three new guests entered the ballroom.

“Presenting their royal highnesses, King Harold, Queen Anna, and Prince Siegfried!” The master of ceremonies announced to all of the attendees.

As the three of them entered, Odette couldn’t believe her eyes. Even though he was wearing a mask, she could see what a handsome man Siegfried had become. How was this the mean, ugly bully that traumatized her when she was just a mere child of eight?

“King Alexander! Queen Adriana!” King Harold exclaimed. “It is an honor to see you again!”

He then looked at Odette, and smiled. “Is this charming young woman really Odette? The last time I saw you, you were a small child. But now, standing before me, is an extremely beautiful young woman! I am charmed to see you again, my dear!” He then bent down, and kissed her hand.

“I am honored to see you as well.” She replied, as she curtsied.

“You remember my son, Prince Siegfried?” He asked. As Siegfried looked at her, their eyes immediately locked. It was as if time itself had stopped. They seemed to be looking at one another, both in wonderment.

“Odette?” He began to ask in astonishment. “Is that really you? What happened to that annoying little girl that cried all the time?”

“I could ask the same about the bully that was picking on me, and my swans.” She said, as she gave him a shy smile.

“Well perhaps we could discuss it on the dance floor, my lady.” He replied, as he returned her smile. He then bent down, and kissed the back of her hand.

“May I have this dance?” He asked as he bowed to her.

“I would be delighted.” She said, as she curtsied. Once again, she gave him her hand, and they soon began to dance. As they moved around the dance floor, all they could see was one another. It was if they only existed in that moment, and that the rest of the world seemed to fade into nothingness.

“I have to be honest with you.” She said, as she stared into his beautiful eyes. “I have been dreading this day for the last ten years.

“Why?” He asked, as he looked a bit confused.

“Because I thought you were a big bully.” She answered. “You were constantly teasing, and throwing rocks at me. Then you started harassing all of the birds. I just thought you were mean to me.”

“I will let you in on a little secret.” He whispered. “It was because I liked you, and I wasn’t mature enough to find away to express it. So I decided to annoy you. That being said, how do you feel about me now? I hope your opinion of me has changed.”

“We’ll see.” She chuckled, and then smiled.

“I did always think you were cute.” He told her, as he returned her smile. “But I had no idea what an incredibly beautiful woman, you would turn out to be.”

“And I had no idea what an extremely handsome man that you, would turn out to be, as well.” She replied. “On the other hand, we are wearing masks. We may end up being disappointed after we remove them.”

“Then maybe we should never remove them.” He whispered.

“I think I might be willing to risk it.” She whispered, back at him.

As the evening went on, they continued to dance. Usually at a ball, someone else would cut in, and ask the lady to dance. But it was probably obvious to everyone at the ball, that Odette and Siegfried were too enamored with one another.

“May I cut in?” A strange man asked. As Odette looked up, she saw a man in a black owl mask. His outfit was all black as well, and even featured some black feathers.

“Um, of course.” Said Siegfried. “I should probably go see if my mother would like to dance. If you two will excuse me?”

As Siegfried had left her there with the mysterious man, Odette felt unsure about the stranger in the owl costume.

“Shall we, my lady?” He asked, as he bowed, an smiled.

“Of-of course.” She nervously replied, as she curtsied. He offered his hand, and she reluctantly took it. He kissed the back of it, and stared into her eyes the entire time. It was as if he was staring right through her very soul. Even behind his mask, his eyes were powerful, and mesmerizing. It was as if she couldn’t look away. With that, they soon began to move around the dance floor.

“You look lovely, my dear.” He said, in a husky whisper. “I see why you chose to dress as a swan. Like you, they are as graceful, as they are beautiful.”

Odette’s heart began to flutter, as she began to feel herself blush. Whoever this man was, he seemed to be having a strange effect on her.

“Th-thank you.” She timidly replied. “I like your costume as well. I don’t even recognize you. Do I know you?”

“Ah, ah, ah.” He whispered. “This is a masquerade ball. No one is allowed to reveal themselves until the official unmasking. And believe me my dear. This is going to be a special night. One in which I guarantee you will never forget.”

“Well, it is my eighteenth birthday.” She replied

“Oh but it is much more than that.” He told her. “Tonight is the night when you shall announce your betrothal to the world. I believe it will be a magical night indeed.”

“I-I’m sure it will.” She said to him. All of a sudden the music stopped, but Odette was still fixated on the man that held her in his arms. There was something both frightening, and alluring about him. Maybe the owl costume just reminded her of her dream.

“Odette.” Her father said, as he had made his way over to her. “I need you to join your mother and me.” Her father then looked at her dance partner. “If you will excuse us, sir?”

“Of course, your majesty.” The man in the owl costume replied. He then bowed to the king. As Odette, and her father began to walk away, she turned around to look back at the mysterious stranger. She felt uneasy, as he looked at her through wanton eyes, and a wicked smile.

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“Ladies, and gentlemen!” King Alexander exclaimed. “Members of the court. Today is a momentous occasion! It is not only my beautiful daughter’s, the Princess Odette’s, eighteenth birthday, but a royal announcement! Ten years ago, King Harold and I made an agreement. That one day our children, Siegfried and Odette, would be joined in matrimony. Today marks the day, when the agreement is being officially announced throughout the land! And so it is with great honor that I, King Alexander, welcome—“

“I object to this union!” A voice proclaimed. All of a sudden, a large gasp of disbelief, echoed throughout the ballroom, followed by complete silence.

“Who dares interrupt me to make such a proclamation!” Alexander angrily replied.

“I do!” The voice exclaimed, as the man stepped forward. Odette was shocked to see that it was the same mysterious man, in the black owl costume.

“How dare you!” Alexander cried. “Who the hell do you think you are? Why would you think you can interrupt me like this? You have no right to object to this union, or any of my other declarations!”

“I have every right!” The man vehemently explained. He then removed his mask. Once again, the entire ballroom let out a collective gasp. Odette looked upon him in horror. It was the owl king, and he had an angry look of determination in his eyes. She then looked at her father, who also had a wide eyed look of terror upon his face.

“Barron Von Rothbart!” The king exclaimed. “I thought you were dead!”

“No your majesty!” Von Rothbart replied. “Despite man’s attempts to eradicate all owl shifters, I can assure you that I am very much alive. And I am afraid that I cannot permit the union of Siegfried and Odette!”

Von Rothbart then looked at Odette, and smiled, before turning his attentions back to King Alexander.

“You see your majesty, the fair Princess Odette is already married!” Von Rothbart proclaimed. “—to me!”

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