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The next three days were spent like the first except on the third day, Alex was almost fully healed and we would walk and goof around outside on the palace grounds. Occasionally, Alex would steal a kiss but his hand was always holding mine.

Since the ball started tomorrow, guests had started arriving. There were tons! Thankfully though, Edward had been banned from all festivities inside the castle grounds so he was not to be attending the ball.

Annabelle’s husband had arrived, too, so I had gotten to meet the Duke of Lyham. He was sweet just as his wife was and he got along with everyone perfectly.

It was about dinner time and to welcome all of the guests, there was to be a huge feast with the royal family and all of the quests, as well as the castle residents.

I had changed into the same dress I had worn upon the duchess’s arrival and Alex was escorting me down to the mess hall that had been transformed into the dining quarters for the feast.

I joined Alex, and his parents at the front of the doors, greeting people I didn’t know. Most of the women and girls tried to stay and chat with Alex but they got swept away by the remaining people in line. All together, it lasted about half an hour to get through everyone before we could actually sit down at the table.

Again, I joined the royal family at the head table seated next to Alex, along with getting jealous glares from girls all around the room. The king rose to make his welcome speech and the crowded room fell silent.

“Welcome my dear friends! We are gathered here today to celebrate the beginning of the annual ball. We hope you enjoy yourselves and we hope that we will get to converse with all of you. Now, let us begin the feast!”

He doors leading to the kitchen were soon flooded with servants bringing out platters of roasted pig, salads, rolls, fruit, and anything else that you could imagine. The hall was soon filled with enough food to feed my village back home. By the time we were done eating I was stuffed. The food had also made me tired, considering I was already tired in the first place because I had stayed up a tad late chatting with Annabelle. Of course Alex noticed at once.

“You look tired. May I accompany you to your room?” He asked me politely.

“Yes, that would be wonderful.”

He stood up and offered me his hand which I gratefully took and he led us between the tables to the door. I could feel stares burning into my back but I tried my hardest to ignore them. The last thing I needed was a fight or something. I stayed quiet and let Alex lead me to my room.

We stopped right outside. And he hugged me tightly.

Hugging him back I whispered, “Please don’t leave me.”

“Never.” He whispered back.

He slowly and passionately kissed me and I felt that if he wasn’t holding onto me, I would have melted to the floor.

Just as quickly as we had started the kiss, it came to an end caused by the noise of shuffling feet coming down the hallway. We quickly jumped apart in time to see a servant showing some guests their rooms. As they passed they said some, “Hello my prince!” and “Good evening your highness.”’s once they were out of hearing range, we both started to laugh a bit at how flushed we both looked.

Alex’s face was a light shade of pink while his cheeks were a rosy red as if he’d been out in the cold all day.

“Go to bed love.” He whispered kissing my forehead.

I reached up one last time and pecked him lightly on the lips before opening my door and stepping in. I turned around at the last second and stuck my head out the door.

“Goodnight my prince.” I giggled and dashed back inside before he could turn around and tell me off about calling him ‘my prince.’ I smiled to myself and giggled still leaning against the door.

I let my hair down causing it to cascade down my back in soft waves and I slipped out of my dress, leaving it on the floor for Amelia to pick up later. I happily crawled into bed and closed my eyes, instantly falling asleep.

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Amelia let me sleep in until about ten. I wasn’t too happy about that considering Alex had been waiting for me all morning and when Amelia came up with my breakfast, she told him that he couldn’t see me. Why is that? Well, Amelia is forcing me to stay in my room all day while she gets me ready for the first night of the ball. I don’t see why it has to take all day and why I’m deprived of walking around the castle.

I ate my breakfast in a grumpy mood just for Amelia. She had brought it in and then told me that she would be back with my first gown.

I took a bight of my toast and stared at the wall across from my bed. I caught the movement of my door out of the corner of my eye and I tuned to see Alex come walking in.

“Amelia is going to kill you if she sees you in here.” I giggled.

“I know she will. I just wanted to say good morning.” He smiled.

“Well, good morning then.”

“I will see you at the ball tonight I presume?”

“Yes your highness.” I giggled seeing his cheeks redden.

“Don’t call me that.”

Suddenly, his eyes got big as he heard Amelia coming down the hallway. He looked around the room searching for a place to hide but there was nowhere to hide so he ran out of the room in a flash before Amelia could see him. Amelia walked in to find me in a fit of giggles.

“What’s going on?” She questioned me.

I immediately stopped. “Nothing.”

She gave me a look of suspicion but brushed it off almost instantly. She was carrying a bag which obviously held my dress and she set it down over the rocking chair.

“Almost done with breakfast?” She asked. I could see in her eyes she was eager to get me dressed up.

I sighed and pushed it towards her as she squealed with excitement.

The rest of the day contained me bathing for two hours, and then doing my hair, then my makeup, and then finally, putting on my dress. By the time we had finished with everything, it was time for the ball to start.

“You look beautiful.” Amelia told me.

“Thank you Amelia.”

“Have fun!” She said before leaving the room.

I walked over to my mirror and took a look at myself. I was (http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=50723528) dressed in a white gown that flowed smoothly down my body as if it were made of liquid. My hair was up in an elegant bun topped with a headband that had baby’s breath flowers to match the dress. I looked beautiful (If I do say so myself.J).

Taking a deep breath, I stepped away from the mirror and walked out my door. The hall was fairly empty; just the few stragglers that hadn’t left for the ball yet. My shoes click-clacked as I walked down the hall to the stairwell that led down to the ballroom.

The ball had already started so I walked right in to see people dancing and laughing. I could smell the fragrance of food wafting from the kitchen. The ballroom was decorated beautifully and the string quartet was playing extremely well.

I walked in looking around at everyone. A man stopped me and asked me to dance but I kindly refused and continued walking. I could see Alex with his parents up at the top of the stairs. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, two guards stopped me from going up.

“You can’t go up there miss.” One of them told me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I know the prince though.”

“We can’t let you through.” The other one said.

I huffed and put my hands on my hips.

“Alex! Alex!” I yelled to get his attention waving up at him. The guards tried to push me away but Alex caught sight of me and came bounding down the stairs.

“It’s ok, she’s with me.” He told them.

They reluctantly let go of my arms and I rushed up the stairs to meet Alex. He hugged me and kissed my forehead before grabbing my hand and pulling me up the stairs to his parents.

“Victoria! You look lovely! How are you?” The queen asked.

“I’m very well; thank you. You look lovely as well.” I curtseyed.

Alex turned to me and bowed. “May I have this dance?”

“Yes, of course.”

We walked back down the stairs to the dance floor hand in hand. Of course there were jealous glares from all around the room but I didn’t let them bother me at all.

Alex led us to the middle of the dance floor where he proceeded to put his hand on my waist and lead the dance.

“You look beautiful.” He breathed.

I felt my cheeks heat up and he smiled.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” I said.

He gave me a smirk before twirling me.

“Very nice.” He commented. “Where did you learn to dance?”

“My father.” I replied.

“He taught you well.”

“Thank you.” I giggled.

The music came to a stop and we all clapped for the string quartet, who accepted it gratefully. Alex took my arm more formerly than usual, and we merged through the crowd saying hello to some of the passerby’s. I noticed that we were heading towards the refreshments table for a drink. Alex got me a glass and handed it to me. I took a sip expecting the bitter taste of wine but my tongue was met with a smooth, sweet taste.

“Is it good?” Alex asked me trying not to laugh.

“Yes.”

“Good. Come on; let’s go back up to my parents.” He took my arm again and we made our way all the way back to the stairs.

The guards let me pass through easily this time and we were soon at the top of the stairs, looking down at all of the guests dancing and having a good time.

“Having fun?” The King asked us.

“Yes your highness. You throw amazing parties!” I complimented.

“Thank you Lady Victoria.” The king said.

“You’re very welcome.” I curtseyed.

After I finished my drink, Alex dragged me across the room once again. I realized that we were heading out the doors but I trusted him, so I kept up with him.

We ended up in our meadow and I saw that it had been decorated with fairy lights and flower petals. I couldn’t speak so I stood there with my hand over my mouth for a few minutes like an idiot. Finally, I regained my composure and whispered, “Its beautiful Alex.”

“Dance with me?” He held out his hand and I took it carefully.

I don’t know how long we danced. All I know is that I didn’t care if the whole world crumbled around us because all that mattered was that I was in his arms.