The Princess and The Knight

The Party

It seemed to Angela as though the hours were passing by leisurely because Margaret’s continuous pratter was never ending. She had been watching dresses after dresses thrown at her by Margaret and now colours were dancing in front of her eyes. Even her personal maid drew a deep sigh who was watching the scene from a distance.

“Margaret, whats taking you so long to decide? We are not left with much time.”

“Oh Angie” Margaret seemed flustered and sat on the bed with a thump, “I just cannot decide which colour to wear. I like this pink dress but I wonder if Christopher would like me in this or not.”

“Why don’t you wear the black one, its pretty and sexy with these folds at the sides. It really shows off your curves.” Angela gave her a knowing smile.

“But I have no jewellery to go along with it, I can’t just go looking so plain.” Margaret was grumbling.

“Oh, no need to worry about that. You can wear my Onyx gem stone set with it.” She asked her maid to bring out the set from her wardrobe and opened it for Margaret to see. It was beautiful, with the black stone cut delicately to perfection and eight diamonds encircling it, the earrings were elegant complete with a necklace. Margaret fell in love with it at first sight and was hugging her cousin with enthusiasm.

“Thankyou so much Angela, you are always so generous.”

Though the maid believed Lady Margaret had deliberately whined in front of the princess, who being so generous and caring could never see her cousin disconsolate and presented her finest jewellery which Sir James had bestowed upon her so lovingly on her nineteenth birthday for the evening, this she had told one of the cooks when she had gone down to get a bowl of salad for Lady Margaret. Even the cook seemed to reserve the thought the her Lady sometimes used the princess abominably and why Her Highness let her daughter who was a kindly nurtured soul be in the company of such a detestable girl was beyond her imagination. The maid would have argued upon this point with the cook had the butler not intervened telling her to perform her task quickly.

Meanwhile, Princess Angela had picked up a navy blue off shoulder dress for herself and decided to wear her sapphire set with it. She let her hair lose styling them in waves. She had no intention of being the centre of attention but without even trying to put in any effort she always looked magnificent. Her maid approved of her look and when The Queen came into check on her daughter she was satisfied.

“Enjoy yourself dear but mind the paparazzis.” Queen Alexandra again warned her daughter who patted her hand lovingly and told her not to worry.

When Christopher saw the two girls he looked them over appreciatively, giving a low whistle.

“I love your dress Margaret, you look really hot.” He whispered in Margaret’s ears, teasing her, who nervously giggled and put a strand of hair behind her ear whispering a “Thank you”.

“I think we should leave if we want to be back on time.” Angela spoke clearing her throat. She had no idea how anyone could fall for a guy like Christopher who was in the habit of amusing himself with a new girl every now and then, he disgusted her, whereas to Margaret he was a real catch.

As the three sat in the car, a convoy of three vehicles left the castle. The air outside was pleasant and it was definitely a good day to hold a pool party. The pool was temperature controlled which Christopher had not missed to reveal.

“But you forgot to tell us your friend’s name?” Angela pointed out.

“Peter Hawkins.” He replied matter of factly.

“Oh my god, the billionaire bachelor. He’s your friend! He’s too hot!” Margaret’s was thrilled, “Have you seen him Angela?”

“Can’t recall.” Angela shrugged her shoulders.

“So typical of Angela, not to notice anyone other than herself”, Christopher made a snide remark.

“What good would come out for me to interest myself in a spoilt rich billionaire, I would pick a tax file any day then read about him.” She shrugged her shoulders and consumed herself with the scenery passing by while Margaret continued to converse with Christopher.

As they approached the entrance to Peter Hawkin’s mansion, hundreds of brilliantly lit lights welcomed them. As they passed through it, Angela noticed that paparazzi’s and journalists were standing at the right stand and well blocked by the guards if they tried to do anything more than click a picture. Well at least the management is good, Angela thought to herself. The long driveway was covered with sparkling lights and decked with flowers and balloons. The tall glass windows were reflecting back the lights which made it seem as though the whole house was on fire.

Margaret clutched her cousin’s hand tightly when she realized she saw a celebrity pass through the doors. But upon seeing Angela, all the guests had stopped in their tracks bowing to her and asking about the Queen and Sir James and congratulating her on being the next queen soon. She was a little surprised because she wasn’t expecting all this attention though she was naturally accustomed to it since childhood.

“You are far more beautiful in person than I had imagined”, a voice behind her complimented her which caused her to stop and turn to see her admirer. She was taken aback to find herself looking at a man in his mid-twenties, wearing a tight fitted suit, his hair gelled back and his blue eyes gleaming. Angela was clueless who he was as he stepped forward to shake her hand.

“This is Peter Hawkins.” Margaret whispered but Peter seemed to have heard this and he tried to suppress his annoyance that the Princess didn’t know him.

“Its an honour for me that you have graced my party with your presence, come let me escort you inside.” He gave her his arm and she gently placed her hand on it to be guided inside the mansion. Her first reaction to him might have brought about a distaste for him but she had to accept that he was extremely civil unlike Christopher.

A swarm of guests were inside and the party was in full swing. There were definitely more than fifty guests there and more seem to be pouring in. The atmosphere inside was too hot, music was on full blast making it hard for conversation. Every time Peter would lean towards Angela speaking in her ear, his hot breath with signs of alcohol brushing against her skin churned her insides.

“I am feeling quite embarrassed actually with your attention towards me, all your other guests would call you a bad host.” She finally said to him trying not to sound rude.

“Oh don’t worry about them, they are being well taken care of.”

“No Peter, I insist. I can already see that lady in the ivory dress glancing towards us with a frown.”

“Hahaha, well okay if you want me to go I shall but I will come back shortly for a dance with you.” And only when he received a promise from Angela didn’t he leave her. She looked around herself and was happy to find Margaret chatting to Christopher who winked at her causing her to role her eyes. Just then a waiter brought her a drink which she thankfully took from him as it was getting unbearably hot for her.

“Oh wait” she stopped the waiter, “Is this alcohol?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Okay.”

Well a single glass won’t do me any harm, she thought and gulped it down. She was about to leave her seat when Peter returned asking for his dance which was promised to him. Angela observed that he had discarded his coat and had folded up his sleeves. She reluctantly agreed and a slow number started playing. All couples had gathered on the huge dance floor which could easily accommodate five hundred people at the same time. They started moving to the slow music, Angela found her partner to be a good dancer and found herself relaxing with him. He had said something which caused her to smile, showing her dimples, making her look so innocent. Peter seemed to her as an intelligent guy and maybe different from the set of company Christopher was often found in, well this she could only tell by knowing him more. They parted once the song was over and Angela was glad for she didn’t want to be seen in Peter’s company for too long as there were gossip mongers everywhere and Angela couldn’t let their tongues wagging.

She was about to sit down when Margaret came rushing to her, “Angela we have to dance to this song, its our favourite. Come!” she grabbed her cousin’s hand and brought her to the dance floor as soon as the Dj struck a fast number. Margaret seemed to be a little drunk to her but she thought it of no consequence.

Angela felt herself to be transformed in a magical world of disco lights, laser beams, and the irreplaceable glow of black lights shining on people. Everyone looked at her smiling and having a good time. The DJ moved them in ways no one had ever done before. Mixing the loud music on the turn tables to the beat one desires to hear, the DJ watched young men and women dancing around as if something had possessed their bodies.

Christopher stood near the bar watching Angela closely as she swayed her body to the music looking so carefree with beads of sweat forming on her forehead to which she was least bothered. She looked damn sexy to him! He had been drinking steadily and his desire was getting the better of him while he devoured his sixth glass and kept an eye on Angela as well.