Running From The Prince

Chapter Fifteen

" My lady looks stunning"

She glanced at the mirror in front of her and couldn't deny thinking the same. Despite the size of the dress, it did look nice, and the diamond hairpin she had chosen made her look even more beautiful

It felt like a long time since she looked at herself in the mirror to admire her looks

" Thank you for helping me Emilia"

" You are very welcome my lady. You should head downstairs now, your carriage is waiting"

Alex nods and walks out of the room. When she appears downstairs she comes across her father and second brother. Alex greets them and just as she had respected it was only Ryan who had responded, Jeffrey Silva barely glanced her way. After so long he was still angry at her

" It's because I have somewhere to be today or else I would have come with you," Ryan said. He didn't approve of her going outside of the manor despite the escort, he was still worried that she might do something impulsive

The girl shakes her head and gives him a reassuring smile. " Don't worry about it, I'll have some escorts with me remember?"

Ryan doesn't seem convinced but he gives in regardless. He leans down and places a warm kiss on her forehead and then walks off to do his duty. Alex glances over to the man sited and approaches him. Even though he was ignoring her it still didn't feel right to leave without offering her greetings

" Dad, am leaving now"

" Go on then," He says in a dismissive voice. He doesn't intend to speak more to her but Alex is insistent

" I know you are still mad at me, it was my fault. I promise you that I wouldn't do anything to disappoint you anymore. Dad, please don't be angry"

Jeffrey doesn't respond and Alex only feels devastated. She had even gone and given such a sincere apology even when she knew she did nothing wrong. When she thought that her father didn't take her apology to heart she turned to leave. However, the man suddenly rose from his sitting position and walked toward her.

" Your brother told me what happened" His face was stern but there was warmness in his eyes. " Do you have someone you want to marry?"

When Jeffrey had first heard it from his elder son he couldn't believe it. How could he easily believe that his daughter had moved past her lifelong infatuation with the prince and was even willing to marry? But for whatever reason, the mere thought pleased him. Even though he didn't have a very good opinion of the Bloom family, he was still happy nonetheless that his dearest daughter was thinking of settling down, so unconsciously he had a bright smile on his face

Meanwhile, Alexandra was wondering why the man before her had a sudden mood swing. Was the thought of marrying her off so pleasing?

" I do. Does that make you happy?"

" I am very pleased. It is good that you realized your mistakes on time and are willing to move to pass them. When you from the Ball we shall talk more about it"

" um.. okay"

Her father's smile widened and he placed a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. When he let her go Alex proceeded to walk out of the house

True to Ryan's words several guards were waiting outside, all dressed in formal attires. She sighs and settles into the carriage. This was going to be a long night

* * *

" Why do you seem so anxious ?"

" I am not"

" There shouldn't be a reason to be, after all this is your special day"

Albert doesn't respond. His gaze shifts down the staircase at Rachel. She was happily discussing with some of her commoner friends who she had convinced him to invite to the event

She was wrapped in a lace black gown that contrasted perfectly against her fair skin and white hair. There was a bright smile on her face and one could see just how happy she was

Albert worried that she wasn't completely recovered from her injuries yet but Rachel insisted she wanted the engagement to be held as soon as possible. Watching her beautiful figure down below he couldn't help thinking that she was the prettiest Lady present in the room

And yet he couldn't bring himself to be as enthusiastic as expected. There was always something at the back of his mind that seemed to drain all his joy. What was even more provoking was the fact that it wasn't even something that should have concerned him, then why does it make him so uneasy?!

Of course, he truly regretted the way things had ended before but there was no way about it. She was at fault and that was all that mattered. But the words she had said, the look in her eyes, somehow made him wonder if there was more to the story than he had cared to find out. Does loving someone make you commit such a horrible act?

" In this life, I wouldn't love you anymore"

Those words she had said, it seemed she had meant it. She had stopped loving him. And now she loved someone else

The prince shifts his eyes once more to the black crow perched on the ground beside his feet. The animal seemed to sense its master's inquiry look

" Caw Caw!" It crows and flaps its wings. It flies away to wherever it See's convenient for its resting

" I am not the anxious father. It is just that I still worry about Rachel's health"

The King's eyes are blank. Albert doesn't know whether the man believes him or not. He doesn't have the time to think too much about it when the sound of a trumpet draws his attention down once more

The trumpet is only used when announcing the arrival of a high-ranked royal. Not just anyone got this special treatment so everyone was curious about who the new arrival was

Gasps can be heard when a young girl steps into the room. Her appearance is perhaps the most stunning of all and her dress dragged tantalizingly behind her as she walked. People couldn't help getting fascinated at just the mere sight of her

The prince himself almost got lost staring down at this person. He immediately recovers however when he hears the King's deep chuckle beside him

" Well look who it is? Doesn't the princess look stunning "

" Why is she here?"

" Did you think I wouldn't invite her? She might no longer be your fiancée but she is still like a daughter to me"

" It's just like her to steal the attention. She thrives in it"

" You sound bitter" the king observed, there was a trace of laughter in his eyes. " Any regrets?"

" Non" He states firmly. He turns his gaze elsewhere and happens to see a familiar figure. Xander Bloom. Was this the person Alexandra likes?

Meanwhile, Rachel had seen the scene just now. She had seen Albert looking intensely in Alexandra's direction. She couldn't help tightening the grip on her glass

' Why was she here!? '

* * *

Alexandra tries her best to ignore the starring. She was already regretting coming to this place only a couple of minutes

A familiar voice draws her attention, when she turns a pair of arms wraps around her startling her

" Lex! I miss you so much. You can't believe how breathtaking you look"

" It's good to see you, Juliana. I miss you too"

Juliana draws back from her with a warm smile. Alex takes in the off-shoulder yellow gown she was wearing and her blond hair that was pulled up in a fashionable bun

" You look beautiful July"

" Aw, you flatter me. Seriously, you have to tell me where you got that dress from"

" I can show you, that is if my house arrest is lifted soon"

" I'll look forward to it" Juliana gestures over to a table decorated with food, snack, and drinks. " Let's go get some wine"

" Okey"

Both girls walk over to the table hand in hand. Juliana pours them a drink and they talk cheerfully. Minutes into their conversation, Juliana suddenly stops in her speech and looks over Alex's shoulder with wide eyes

" what's wrong?"

" Someone's coming"

Alex turns just in time when Xander arrives in front of her. He has a warm smile on his face as he stares at her. He is dressed in fashionable attire that makes him appear even more handsome than before. Alex doesn't know it but her cheeks become tinted with red

" Good day my lady"

" Hi Xander"

" You look stunning" He places a hand on her shoulder and Alex ignores the gasp she hears behind her. She feels even shyer when Xander's eyes run down her body. " Nice dress"

" Thank you"

" Um. Am I missing something here?!" Juliana shrieked from behind her and they both turned to look at her. Xander raises a brow at not noticing her presence earlier

" Forgive my rudeness. It is a pleasure to see you this evening Lady Juliana " Xander greets. Juliana could see that even though his attention was on here there was disinterest in his gaze

" Uh..you too Lord Bloom" Juliana flashes a disbelieving look at her. She could almost read the thousand of questions on the girl's face

Xander had only wanted to offer his greeting and didn't want to intrude on the girl's conversation. He turns his gaze to Alex and it is once more filled with warmth. " I will see you around then"

" Okey"

" What the hell was that?!" Juliana shrieked the moment Xander had left " Why are you acting so lovey-dovey with him?"

" Because Julianna, Xander is my boyfriend...well I mean he is courting me"

" Courting you? When did that happen? Why didn't you tell me?"

" House arrest remember?"

" Right. This is surprising " Juliana frowns in confusion but her expression soon morphs into glee. " I can't believe this! This is so cool Alex, Xander is so dreamy"

" And he's a good person too. So much better than.."

" Albert" Juliana finishes. Her gaze flickers up and Alex follows her line of sight.

" speaking of the devil" She just happens to make eye contact with him. She resisted scowling because the king was sited beside him. Said king smiled down at her and Alex smiled back

There was the sound of soothing music in the room and some of the girls moved over to couple up with the boys to dance. Some unknown boy came up to ask Juliana to dance and her friend went off happily leaving her alone

" Do you want to dance?" Alex flinched in surprise with the sudden appearance of Xander behind her. Where had he even come from?

" You scared me"

" Sorry, didn't mean to creep up on you. So, about dancing"

" Am not good at ballroom dancing. I might step on you"

" I won't mind" he holds onto her hand and drags her onto the dancefloor before she can protest. He places his hand on her waist while she places her on his shoulder. They moved slowly and she finds herself stepping on his shoes countless times

" Am sorry" she avoids his gaze in embarrassment, Xander only laughs in response

" You're so cute"

her cheeks flush at his compliment. No man has ever thought her cute before. His words made her feel even nice than the praises she used to get from her captain back in the army

They dance for what seemed like hours, she slowly gets better with her steps. But suddenly the tempo of the music changes and she watches with amazement as other couples changed partners

"We're supposed to switch now," Xander said

" I don't want to"

He laughs. " Come on, it's fun. I promise" he pulls away from her and swings her around his arm. Alex chuckles as she leaves his embrace and finds herself entangled with another partner. It was a boy with brown hair and shy eyes, he barely met her eyes the whole time

Then they switch again and she coincidentally ends up back in Xander's arms

" Hey" He smiles at her

She smiles back. " Hey"

The next time they switch she isn't hesitant. She ends up in the arms of Juliana's partner. Standing so close to the brown-haired boy makes her realize that she had seen him before. It clicks in her brain that this was the same boy who had greeted Juliana the first she came to the academy. Just seeing the way he avoided her eyes she could tell that he was still fearful of her

" Hey, I know you right?"

" Y..you don't "

" Oh but I do. You're that same boy that has a crush on Juliana " She laughs at the way his eyes widened and his face flushed. He was kind of adorable

" I...I do not have a crush on Lady Juliana! "

" You are blushing"

" I am not"

" Okey Kelvin"

" It's Kevin "

Alexandra chuckles at the way Kevin willingly let her go. She ends up in the arms of another. At first, she thought it was Xander again since he had the same attire, but when she raises her head she meets red eyes, and her heart froze

All the joy, all the excitement she had felt faded away with just that one look. Alex curses herself for not noticing when he had left his position and come down here. It was no doubt that words were already being exchanged at the moment about them. God damn this prince!

" Good evening "

" Evening," she says numbly wondering why he had to initiate a conversation. Why can't they just f*****g dance and go their separate ways

" Are you with Xander Bloom now?"

" And what if I am? What the hell does that have to do with you!?"

He gives her a nonchalant look. " He is not good for you"

" Excuse me?"

" The Bloom family does not have a good reputation, you shouldn't marry him"

" Are you listening to yourself? Do you think you have a right to tell me what it is I can or cannot do?"

" You are still my oldest friend, I still care for you"

Alex laughs in mockery. " Did you forget? I am that same friend who pushed the love of your life down the stairs"

Albert's expression remains calm, it seems that whatever she was saying wasn't getting to him. The thought made her even angrier and she tried to pull away from his embrace, he held her firmly

" Did you push Rachel down the stairs? "

" Ha ha, so now you're curious right?"

" I do not want you to marry into the Bloom family"

" Then f**k you and what you want!" She pushes away from him and stamps away from the dance floor

Who the heck does he think he is?!