The Forgotten Princess...

The man wearing a mask

i long for our souls to be deeply intertwined that Death himself would weep when faced with the thought of separating us. -dd

Alicia's POV

'Who are you kidding Alicia?' I thought to myself.

'Nothing will change even after this night.” I sighed.

“It looks like you are not in good terms with your stepsisters third princess Alicia Roselyn Von Heist.” A voice of a young man said.

“Who is there?” I look around searching.

I was taken by surprise when an impossibly tall young man wearing a black suit with gold trimmings emerged from the shadows. He was wearing a mask covering half of his face. His hair was as black as the night and his eyes was dark blue like the ocean deep.

“If I may ask, would you mind telling me who might the gentleman be?” I asked courteously though I kept my tone polite and steady as if curiosity was not already growing inside me.

“I am Regaleon of Grandcrest.” He greeted. “I give my greeting to the third princess of Alvannia.” He bowed down. I replied with a courtesy.

“Thank you sir Regaleon.” I said.

He was looking at me for a while that an uneasy feeling settled in my chest, I began to feel a little awkward under his intense gaze. His dark blue eyes were fixed on me, I couldn't help but wonder what he thought. For a brief moment it felt as if I was staring into the depths of his eyes and I was unable to look away.

Regaleon walked towards me and each step brought him closer until there was barely any space left between us. I was surprised with his closeness, it startled me that I involuntary stepped back. My foot tripped and I almost fell but he caught me by the hand right on time and before I could even process what was happening, he pulled me into his embrace.

“S- sir.” I said awkwardly.

“I'm sorry to startle you.” Regaleon said. “I just want to give you this.”

I saw Regaleon holding a blue rose in his hand.

“A blue rose?” I asked. Blue roses are the rarest kinds. It can only be seen in remote parts of Grandcrest. It was also their national flower and it is also included in the crest of the royal family of Grandcrest.

Regaleon puts the blue rose in between my right hair and head as he tucks a strand of hair that had escaped my sliver pins. I met his gaze longer than I meant to it was intense, the darkness softened by hidden warmth that surfaced when he looked at me.

“The rose's beauty only comes alive when you're wearing it.” Regaleon said. I felt my cheeks heat with his compliment.

“Sir Regaleon...” I said. I was still in his arms and I wanted to tell him to let me go.

“Dance with me.” Regaleon said not letting go of me.

“Huh?” I was confused. He was not 'asking' me to dance with him? But he looks like he won't take no for an answer. Then he pulled me gently inside the ballroom to the dance floor.

Once we entered all eyes were upon us. The chattering from the guests slowly stopped. I was a little surprised. 'Who might this young man be to make all the people in the ballroom become silent?' I thought to myself.

The guests who were dancing on the dance floor came to a stop and parting to gave way to us one by one as all attention was still in our direction. Once we were at the center of the floor my heart was already racing. The young man turned towards me and he did not hesitate before he took me into his arms once again. We were now at a proper dancing position ready for the music to continue.

“I believe you know how to dance the waltz princess.” I saw a teasing smile from the young man's face.

Dancing was one of the things that was taught to me in two weeks ago. Because I was not given any princess training they needed me to practice the waltz everyday.

“Y-yes. Of course.” I answered.

Then the musicians started to play the waltz.

The young man guided me into dancing. I have been a klutz while learning how to dance. But with this young man guiding my steps effortlessly, my earlier nervousness began to fade it was like I have been dancing my whole life. My feet moved with perfect rhythm as his, and it felt as if this was something I had always know how to do.

The feeling was ecstatic feeling me In a way i had not expected. Every twist and turn we do was graceful and elegant as though we have danced together like this many times before. I felt completely at ease that I did not realize that I was wearing a smile on my face. The young man who was leading me and smiled while looking at me. I looked at his deep dark blue eyes. They were enchanting. I am feeling like I would let them engulf me in their deep depths anytime. It was like we were the only ones in the ballroom, we were in out own world.

Then the music came into its climax and we started to slow down until the music stopped. A huge round of applause was heard in the ballroom.

We started at each other for a while before the cheers of the crowd got to us. The young man bowed in front of me and I gave him my courtesy.

“Crown Prince Regaleon Yosef Astley of Grandcrest.” I heard my father the king behind me. “It is a pleasure to grace us with your presence today.”