Renisannce Romance

Princess Saphirra

    The Princess gazes out her window with longing.  She sighs as she turns to her younger sister, "Today is the day Avianna, the day I come out as a lady and future queen." Her sister smiles and squeals with excitement, "You know what this means sister?  This means Prince Christopher may finally ask for your hand in marriage!  Oh you will be such a beautiful king and queen and we all love him so.  I can only dream to have someone so wonderful one day!" 

     Avianna was beautiful in a way that Saphirra often envied and many of the men in the kingdom noticed. She stared at her sister's bright smile with her long blonde curls hanging loosely down her back with small braids framing her face.  She had the most beautiful porcelain skin with not a blemish on it.  Her green eyes were like two emeralds looking back at you.  She was a rare beauty, but her girlish beauty was no match for the regal look of Saphirra.

    Everything she said of Prince Christopher was true, he was everything she could ever desire in a husband.  He was brave and strong and led with a fire inside of him.  She was the one soft spot in his life.  He always said she was his north star that he kept moving towards his whole life.  He had pursued and romanced her, he was her best friend.  It was not until she was 16 and he was 18 that they decided to make their friendship into a courtship.  Now she was 18 and he had patiently waited for her to come of age and become his wife.  

    Sapphira loved him deeply and could not imagine him not being in her life.  She was honored he has chosen her to be his right hand, but there was something missing.  She could never quite put her finger on it, but she felt hesitant towards the idea of marrying the Prince.  Everyone told her how lucky she was to be marrying such an amazing man and she was so lucky to have found love instead of having an arranged marriage. She did not focus on the thought too much, but now that the time had come, she could not help but wonder.

    "Sister, it is time to get ready for tonight.  You are going to look so beautiful. Claire she is ready for you!"  Avianna pecked her sister on the cheek and danced out of the room as the Princess's handmaiden came in to get her ready for the ball. Claire had become one of her best friends over the years as her mother had been her previous handmaiden.  She often spoke to Claire about her worries and Claire told her about her simple life and goings on in the village.  

"Claire, do you think Christopher will propose tonight?"

 "Oh no my lady it is not his style to make a spectacle of himself.  I imagine he will plan something private and romantic," Claire said with a knowing smile.  "He has been gone training the military so long I know you must miss him so!"  

Sapphira stared at the floor and thought about Christopher and all the smiles he had given her over the years.  Their first kiss crept into her mind and she felt her cheeks redden into a blush.  

    "Your Highness, you look beautiful tonight.  Thank you for accompanying me to the council meeting , you know how dull these events can be.  You bring a spectacular light to nights like these."  

    They had whispered and giggled throughout the council meeting discussing issues in the kingdom.  She felt like a giddy school girl when she was around the Prince.  "Your Highness.." "I have told you please do not call me that.  I never want someone as lovely as you to think they have to refer to me in such a formal manner," Christopher said with a sigh.  

"Of course.  Christopher, you are my best friend and I so enjoy nights like these with you.  I never wish for them to end."  

"They don't have to my love.  Say you'll be mine and these nights can go on for the rest of our days,' he said always the playful romantic.

"Christopher I am only 16.  I am not yet ready to be married!"

"I know my darling.  Just tell me you will be with me and I will never look in any young maiden's direction again.  I enjoy courting you, but I need assurance that it won't end.  I need to know I will have your heart and your hand when the time comes."

She felt her heart skip a beat.  "Christopher, my heart is yours always," she said with love in her eyes.  

The Prince grasped her face and looked deeply into her eyes and kissed her.  She felt like sparks were going off throughout her whole body.  She knew she never wanted to kiss anyone else but him.

Claire smiled, "I know that look.  You are thinking of him are you not?  Do not worry my lady I will make you so beautiful tonight he will want to marry you right there on the dance floor!"  The girls giggled as she began to work on the Princess.  She fanned herself to cool down the heat from the memory.

**Later that night**

    Saphirra stared at herself in the long mirror barely recognizing herself.  Her chocolate brown curls cascaded down her back to her waist.  Her blue eyes were highlighted with silver eye shadow.  Her sun tan cheeks were tinted with a pink blush.  She wore a long ballgown made out of royal blue satin.  The dress had silver threading from the top to the bottom with silver lace around the bodice and the bottom of the gown. The train of the dress flowed behind her and sparkled under the lights as she walked.   Her silver shoes clicked the floor and she walked down the long corridor to the ball.  She nervously played with her diamond bracelet and then reached up to make sure her matching earrings were still in.  She placed her silver and blue mask for ball over her eyes for the masquerade theme.  Her parents have always loved a good party.

    No matter how many times she was introduced she always felt butterflies in her stomach before a big entrance.  She also felt nerves from not seeing Christopher in so many months, what if he no longer loved her?  She would never be able to cope with not having him in her life.  

"Good evening my lady, my you look exquisite tonight,"  Captain Rogers the head of her father's militia said pulling her from her train of thoughts.  He had always been a close friend of her father as he was very trusted and loyal.  They had been friends since childhood so she always thought of him as family.  

"Thank you Captain, are we ready?"  He held out his arm for her to lead her to the top of the staircase.  She took a deep breath and walked forward as a loud voice said, "Presenting her Highness Princess Saphirra."  Everyone turned to face the golden staircase as she looked down into the crowd and there he was, waiting for her.