The Royal Mobster

CHAPTER THREE: A ROYAL BIRTHDAY

    " Good morning, songbird!" Sara chimed as she pulled the curtains back to brighten the room. Helena groaned. She was not a good morning person. "I know, but your birthday party is tonight." " Sara said as she pulled the covers from over Helena's head. " We have much to do before then, my lady." Helena finally sat up. " So much for a princess getting her beauty rest. " she joked. "You are the most beautiful lady in all of the kingdom. You don't need anymore." she beamed. Helena blushed, people would always tell her that, but she just didn't see it. She then threw her pillow at Sara to hide her embarrassment. Sara laughed as she caught it. Then threw it back at her. " Is that how you treat your princess?" Sara, in response, stuck her tongue out at her. Helena laughed and made a move to tickle her best friend. Then a voice stopped her dead in her tracks just as she got close to Sara. " Helena! you should be up already." A high-pitched voice rang through the bedroom door. Sara was on her knees as the door swung open. " Mother, I am up already." Helena fixed her clothes as her mother stood before her. " You should have been out and going to breakfast twenty minutes ago." she turned to glare at Sara next to me. " You have gotten rusty from having too many days off." she took a step toward her. " I was enjoying my birthday morning, mother. she has done nothing wrong." Helena said dryly as she stepped in between her mother and her best friend. " I blame your father for how lazy the help has been after their days off." She then grabbed my arm. " Come, it's time for breakfast, and we have much to do before your party tonight." Helena mouthed I'm sorry to her best friend as she looked up. Then her mother dragged her to breakfast. Talking non-stop about the plans, what I am wearing and what I will be singing for my performance tonight. She said lots of nobles will attend, and now that I am of age. I should start to think about marriage. Helena only thought about marriage once when she was sixteen. One summer, her father let one of his friends stay at the castle. He had a son named prince Alex, and he was a handsome young man. His sweet green eyes and cute smile moved her to the bone. He would pick flowers for Sara and me to put in our hair. Then walk with us around the castle to pass the time. When summer came to an end, we had to say goodbye. Sara and I cried that night, for we both had a crush on him. We never heard from him much after that summer. Life as a prince had a lot more duties than a princess would. Helena never blamed him. She understood better than most the toll it has on you. When she was done with breakfast, she went for a walk. Her mother was always a handful when we host events. She spotted Sara picking flowers in the garden. " Finally, some peace." Sara smiled, " My lady, you should be enjoying your birthday." 

" Please, Sara, let me enjoy some peace and quiet before the party." Sara nodded in understanding; we continued to enjoy picking flowers in silence before the chaos that was soon to come. 

"Now that should do it." Sara beamed as she put the last white flower into Helena's dark black hair. Helena turned to face her, " Thank you for fixing my hair." she looked down at her dress one more time to make sure everything was in place. " A look my mother will approve of. I guess it's time to go now before my mother comes for us." Sara nodded in agreement; she knew all too well the punishment that awaits them if they keep the queen waiting any longer. Helena and Sara walked down to the ballroom quietly. Mentally preparing themselves for the roles they had to play for the evening. Helena gave Sara's hand a squeeze to reassure them both that it would be ok. " Good luck, my lady," Sara whispered before she took a step back to stand behind me. I took a deep breath before taking my first step down the stairs. The announcer's voice boomed my name as I reached the bottom. All eyes turned to look upon me as they clapped. Making my way to my parents took longer than I liked. With each step forward, more and more nobles came up to me to kiss my hand. Even making sure that I met with their sons before I was able to move on. When I finally made it to my parents, My mother looked me up and down, nodding in approval. " Father, mother." I declared before I curtsy in their presents. "My beloved daughter." my father chined as he kissed my cheek. Then he turned to address the crowd. " Lord and ladies of kingdom knight. Thank you for coming tonight to honor our beloved daughter Helena knight on her eighteenth birthday."

The crowd cheered in response. " Now, as a special treat to you all, Helena has a song she has prepared for you all tonight." I turned to walk to the stage as people clapped in anticipation. Once I was center stage, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Then, I opened my eyes and glanced around the room. There were indeed a lot of people, nobles clutching their drinks and staring up at me with big, wondrous eyes. Servents and peasants squeezing close together in the back to see me sing. All of them smiling at me in encouragement. I smile at them in response, Sara clasping her hands together, sending me her biggest smile. My nerves left me then. Their happiness and smiles always gave me courage. With that courage, I began to sing my heart out.

 (Jack's point of view)     

     The doors open from my carriage. Music began to fill the air as I made my way down the steps. " Umm, lots of people are here tonight," I mumbled in surprise as kain walked up beside me, nodding in agreement. "Let us go make ourselves known." I began to chuckle as I made my way to the entrance. I like to come late to these things because it's less time for nobles to kiss my ass and ask me for money. " I'll take your coat, my lord." The servants bowed in greeting. Kain walked up to take my coat and passed it to them. I strolled into the ballroom to hear the end of king Delroy's thank you speech.

All eyes turn to his daughter, and what a breathtaking jewel she was. I always heard rumors of her beauty, but they didn't do her justice. Her long dark hair shined bright in the light all the way down to her waist. The light blue dress she had on showed all of her pretty curves. Her light color skin was as beautiful and delicate as the white flowers in her hair. When she finally opened her eyes, I felt my heart stop. Those bright emerald green eyes shined bright with confidence as she sang. That voice is what indeed took my breath away. It was sweet and hypnotizing. The love and passion she had for her people were moving. I see why now people call her the royal songbird. The desire I had for her ran fast through me, and all I wanted to do was lock her in a cage. So I can keep her all to myself. I looked at Kain, "What do you know about her?" I gestured to the king's daughter. " Her name is Helena. I'm afraid that is all I know, my lord. The king makes sure that she stays close to home." 

" Find out all you can about her. I must have her at all cost." 

"It shall be done, my lord." 

Then the sweet songbird's voice came to an end. The room erupted into a loud cheer. The beloved songbird took a deep bow as the crowd kept clapping. I tucked my cane up into my arm to give her a big clapped myself. Then, as she climbed down from the stage, people flocked to her. No doubt, give her props for outstanding performance. " Kain, do you have the princess's present?" He nodded and pulled it out of his pocket. " Come, let us give the sweet songbird her birthday present." I walked toward the crowd, "Princess Helena!"

I said aloud with ascendancy. The mass of people turned to look. Once the nobles saw it was me, they made a path that led me straight to her. That's right, moved, I said to myself as Kain trailed behind me. She looked surprised and confused all at the same time. " I apologize, Princess; I did not mean to startle you," I said as I took a deep bow and kissed her hand. The songbird's hand was softer than I could have imagined. " Forgive me, my lord, but have we met before?" she asked calmly. I smirked at her response. " I'm afraid we have not, princess, but allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jack Dagger, and I am a close friend of your father's. " She nodded in understanding. "It is nice to meet you, my lord." Then she took a curtsy.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, princess. Also, your performance this evening was magnificent. You are indeed the songbird of this beautiful kingdom." she gave me a small smile in response. " Most importantly, tonight is a celebration about you. Happy birthday, princess." I took the present from kain and handed it to her. Helena's emerald green eyes grew big when she saw what I was passing to her. " My lord, it is beautiful, but I can not accept such a gift." she put her hand up in protest. " It is just a bracelet," I said flatly. I'm not used to people telling me no. " It will just gather dust since I have no one to wear it. Also, it will look better on you. Take it as a token of our new friendship. " I saw her father coming up behind her as she finally took it from my hand. " Here is the king now. I have some business with him. Happy birthday, princess." I bowed and walked away before she could say anything else. King Delroy and I have much to discuss. 

(Helena's point of view.)

I was engulfed by people as soon as I was off the stage. I always am the happiest when people tell me how much they love my songs. I would have whispered to Sara that I was ready to escape when I heard a lusty voice say my name. Then the crowd around me suddenly took a step back to let the men through. Some people even bowed, but he paid them no mind. His eyes were solely focused on me as he walked through the path made straight towards me. I was surprised to see a man that could control a room that wasn't a king. In addition, I don't recognize this man at all. I would have remembered because he was a handsome man. He had short light blonde hair. His eyes were dark brown, with a sharp jawline.

The outfit he was wearing did not do well to hide his muscles. He looked like a man who could hold his own in a fight. I had to stop myself from being distracted by his looks, " Forgive me, Lord, but have we met before?" trying to calm down. His eyes showed no emotion as he looked at me. He even smirked at me as he introduced himself as Jack Dagger. That made me a bit mad because no one has ever done that to me. Especially A friend of my father's that I have never met before. Not like I have met all his friends. My father always makes sure I have something to do around the kingdom these days.

Regaining my composter and in the spirit of acting like a proper princess, I let him know that it was nice to officially meet him. After my bow, he told me happy birthday and presented me with a shiny bracelet. It had beautiful tiny red jewels all around it. I couldn't accept something so lovely from a person I just met. He did change his tone slightly like he is used to getting his way all the time. I was going to say no again but decided against it. I reluctantly took it, for I did not want to offend my father's friend. Before I could say anything, he said he had things to discussed with my father and walked away. What a rude man, I thought to myself as I watched him and my father walk away. I handed the bracelet to Sara, for I had no desire to wear it.

" White flowers always looked the best in your hair. " I turned to look at the voice that said that. My heart dropped, and I heard Sara gasp in surprise. " Alex?" we both said in shock. Questioning the face of this handsome young man. " That is me, but I have grown a lot since we last saw each other." he spun around in a circle to show just how tall he had gotten. He indeed grew up to be a handsome man. He still had his sweet green eyes, but his long brown hair framed his face just right. He was tall, strong, and very much a prince. He even bowed perfectly. " You both turned into lovely young ladies. Also, I'm sorry for not keeping in touch all these years." 

"You still remember us?" Sara whispered happily. 

" Of course, I remember you ladies. We used to go for long walks around this place all summer long," he said confidently. Then his sweet green eyes focused on me. " Your super quiet, Helena. Is it because I did not say happy birthday officially yet. " Sara nudged me with her elbow. I was finally pulled out from my daze. " Forgive me, Prince Alex. I do not mean to be rude. I was just surprised, that's all. "  

" Please, no need for formalities, just call me Alex. we are close friends after all. I know that is hard to believe since I have not been a perfect one. But, I plan to make it up to you both and be around more. " Sara and I looked at each other in excitement. " First things first, I brought you a birthday gift," he said shyly. He then pulled a piece of jewelry from his pocket and held it up to me. It was a beautiful necklace; the silver shined brightly in the light. The pendant that hung in the middle was a hand-painted white bird.

" I painted the bird myself with some guidance, of course. " he chuckled as I took it from his hand. " It is beautiful, and I love it even more now that I know you hand painted this." I happily smiled as I touched the pendant. " Do you want me to put it on?" he asked. 

" Yes, please." I nodded in excitement turned around. I held up my hair to help him. My skin tingled on the back of my neck as he clasped the necklace in place. I smiled at Sara in excitement; she just gave me a small smile. " It is all done," he said haughtily. I spun around to show him. " Looks good on you, and I got something for you too, Sara. I know it's not your birthday but something to make you happy." He took out a gold necklace from his other pocket as Sara's face lit up with curiosity.

The pendent on that one had a sunflower on it. " I painted this one as well. Would you like me to put yours on you as well?" Sara nodded happily. I felt a little be jealous as she got touch by him too. " I am so glad you both like it. I feel a little silly now for worrying about it. Maybe it was just the nerves since it has been so long since we have seen each other. " Before we could respond, " I'm afraid that I have to go now. My father is expecting me." He did his perfect bow again to us before turned away from us. " Thank you again, Alex. We hope to see you soon." Sara and I said in unison as we both waved goodbye. As soon as he was out of sight, we turned to each other and giggled like we did when we were kids. " I can't believe he is back," I said blissfully. 

" He is even more good-looking than I remember," she said dreamily. I sighed in agreement, thinking about him. " I am ready to retire for the night. Let us go back." she nodded, ready to go back herself. Once we returned to my room, Sara began to help me get ready for bed. " Thank you for helping me out of my dress." 

" It is my duty, my lady, plus I am always happy to help my dear friend." She said, putting my dress and jewelry away. " Also, now that we are alone. I want to give you your birthday present. " she handed me something that was hidden in a white handkerchief. " Oooh, what is it?" I asked as I started to unwrap it. Once I finally opened it, I was amazed. " Did you make this yourself?" I held a beautiful flower crown. It had all my favorite flowers on it. " Do you like it? " she wondered. " Like it, I love it! I can not wait to wear this around tomorrow." I said inantisapation. " Then tomorrow, I will be sure to pick out the perfect dress for it. " I smiled happily. " Thank you, Sara. Goodnight." 

"Goodnight, my lady," she said as she closed the door to my room. That night I went to sleep dreaming about the handsome, sweet Prince Alex.