Her room was a disaster, which would explain why she couldn't find the earrings to go with her matching dress. The ball gown fit her slim frame perfectly, giving her grace and majesty. Her blonde hair hung below her shoulder and light make-up brushed her face.
Her lady-in-waiting, Deianira, walked in in a simple blue gown. In her hand was the pair of sapphire earrings. "You need to calm down Lexi," she said as Alex plopped down in a chair. Alex and Dei were friends and Alex hated having such formality among them. She always made her friends call her Alex or Lexi when they weren't in her father's sight.
"I'm sorry," she said as she sighed. "I'm just a bit stressed. Father has been more persistent lately about marrying and it's starting to get to me."
"So who's the suitor tonight?" Dei asked. A look of exasperation passed over Alex's face and she shook her head in amusement, her light brown hair swishing around her. "That's just it, I'm not sure. Father won't tell me. If he's conceited like the last one then I think I shall run him through."
Deianira laughed. "I wouldn't do it unless you want a war. Now just have fun." There was a knock on the door and Dei went and opened it. Alex's manservant was standing there in his black uniform for court events, his blue eyes flaming in contrast. "Hey Lexi," greeted JC. "Are you ready to go?"
"Hey JC," she replied. JC had grown up in the palace. He had been found abandoned as an infant with no identification except for a small necklace with the symbol for a lion on it. No one knew what it meant, so the servants at the palace raised him and named him Joshua Chasez. He was respected by everyone and had become a personal servant to Alex. He helped her out and escorted her to balls when the King asked it. Alex stood up while she adjusted the sapphire necklace she wore. "Let's go."
Alex waited by the doors to the grand stair. Soon JC would lead her down to the throne. As was his duty, they would greet the King and queen and Alex would sit in the chair below her father. Then the suitor would be introduced and she would get her first good look at the prince, stuck-up or otherwise. JC walked up next to her. "Ready for another night at court?" he asked. Alex sighed. "I guess so. I just want to rest tonight, but like that's ever going to happen."
"The duties of a princess." Alex smiled and put her hand on his offered arm. "The duties of a servingman. Time to greet the court."
The chief herald raised his voice as the mahogany doors slid open. "Princess Alexandra accompanied by servingman Joshua Chasez." They began to descend the stair, every pair of eyes in court on them. It was every girl's dream to descend the great stair with her 'Prince Charming' waiting for her at the bottom. Alex had to do it very often so it didn't really appeal to her. For once she wished that she could just stomp down the stairs or slide down the banister. Alex giggled at the thought. JC glanced at her, but they kept walking. They soon reached the throne and JC bowed while Alex curtsied. She then sat in the chair below her
father's throne and JC took up his station behind her, as if to watch and guard her. Deianira came and slid up next to JC.
She looked up and her parents beamed at her. Her mother was beautiful, the perfect example of a Queen, with her long golden hair and soft blue eyes. Her father was a bit sterner, but his brown hair and brown eyes held compassion.
She looked back at the top of the stair as the doors opened again. "Prince Michael from the Kingdom of Sathom by the Rocks." Alex almost groaned when the prince stepped out and began to descend the stairs. He was handsome; Alex had to admit that much. But the cocky smile and the swaggering walk made Alex almost throw up with disgust. He was tall, had jet black hair and emerald eyes.
Alex smiled as he bowed down in front of her parents and then knelt in front of her. She wanted nothing more than to wipe that grin off his face, but that was something she couldn't do. Michael kissed her hand and stood back up, winking at her.
Alex's anger rose, but she kept a smile plastered on her face. "Let us begin the ball and enjoy the time we have together!" shouted King Roald and the crowd cheered in response.
Michael turned to her and asked, "Would my lady like to dance?" As much as she would rather stay where she was, she had to except. "The duties of royalty," she muttered as she stood up. JC and Deianira snickered as she was led out to the floor. "Poor Alex,"
he commented. "Did you see how full of himself he looked?" asked Dei. "I was about to personally walk over there and grab that sword by his side and lay it against his throat." JC laughed. "If that's how you were, I wonder how Alex was." They watched a bit more, and after a little bit, Alex's little sister Anastasia came out and joined them.
"Hello Ana," said JC and Dei as they bowed and curtsied. Ana smiled at them. Her blonde hair was much lighter than her sister's was and her blue eyes contrasted from Alex's hazel eyes. "You know that if we weren't in court, that I would tell you to do no such thing." They smiled. "Where is Alex?" asked Ana. JC chuckled. "Enjoying her time with the newest suitor, Prince Michael of Sathom by the Rocks."
Ana peered out into the floor and saw the pair dancing. Alex had a smile plastered on her face, as Michael appeared to be rambling on. Alex saw Ana and gave her a pleading look. Ana laughed. "This is why I'm glad that I'm not heir to the throne." The others smiled. The girls were best friends even though they were sisters. Despite the fact that they were princesses, they never acted conceited, unlike the suitors that came for Alex.
After a few minutes, Alex finally came back and they could tell she was about ready to run him through. She was making an effort not to speak, because if she was angry, she had a habit of speaking in an old English dialect.
"I must go and speak with your father," said Michael. "I shall come back oh fair Alexandra, so don't you worry." He laughed and walked off. Alex clenched her fists as the smile dropped from her face. "Thy name shall not fall upon thou lips in forthcoming days," she said irritably. She shook her head and turned to them. "I'm sorry, it's just that he talked about nothing but himself. You are so lucky Ana, you don't have to deal with this yet." Ana smiled. "Not yet."
JC looked around and saw her father. He was staring at Alex hard and JC figured he was wondering where Michael had gone. JC normally didn't do this, but decided it would be okay for tonight. "Alex, would you like to dance?" he asked. Alex smiled. "I'd love to. I can always be myself around you." He smiled and led her out to the floor.
The night passed quickly for most, but it dragged on for Alex. She was roped into dancing with Michael several more times. She didn't like him from the beginning, and her take on him wasn't getting any better. Alex came and sat back down. Ana came up to her and said, "I think I'm going to go to bed, I'm tired." Alex smiled and stood up, hugging her. "At least you can go to bed. I'll see you in the morning." Ana nodded and walked out after stopping by her parents. Alex sighed and leaned back.
Dei came over and asked, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine I guess. Just tired."
Dei nodded. "Well, it looks like everyone is leaving. That means that you can probably go to bed. "Alex grinned and stood up. "Where did JC go?" she asked. As if in answer, JC walked up to her. "Their majesties want to see you before you go to bed."
"Uh oh," she said as she walked toward a room off of the ballroom.
"I'll wait for you out here," he said as he stopped by the door.
She nodded and walked inside. Her parents were waiting for her, both wearing expressions of exasperation. "You wanted to see me?" she asked uneasily.
"What was wrong with Prince Michael?" asked her father.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Why didn't you like him? You seem repulsed."
"He was another stuck-up Prince."
"That stuck-up Prince is the son of one of our strongest allies. Do you know how much you could benefit the kingdom if you married him, furthering our alliance?"
Alex's anger grew. "So is that what my marriage is supposed to be? A treaty of sorts? I'm supposed to marry who would benefit the kingdom, not who I love?" Queen Cythera sighed. "Dear, we did not mean it like that."
"Yes you did! Thy power has consumed thee past recognition of the heart. Thine heart shall reign, not thy diplomacy. Thou hast not rule thy life, nor will thee." Alex stormed out of the room, past a surprised JC. He jogged to catch up with her. "Thy parents do not care of thy will, nor thy mind."
"Alex just calm down." She threw open her door and it slammed against the wall. JC winced, but followed her into the room as Dei and Ana came running in. Alex turned to them, her hazel eyes blazing with fury. "Thy parents have forsaken thy name. Thy marriage will not be of heart, but of fame and fortune."
She paced around the room as the others watched. Alex started to calm down, but her breathing was still heavy. "Lexi, what happened?" asked Ana. "Mother and father apparently want me to marry for who will benefit the kingdom as opposed to who I love."
"What?" they all asked at once. Alex nodded. "That is why I was so angry. I just need to cool down, that's all." The others nodded. They walked out of the room. JC stopped at the doorway. "Are you sure, you are going to be all right?"
Alex sighed. "I think so. I just need to be alone for a while. I think tomorrow I'll spend the day away from the castle." JC smiled. "Call me if you want some company." Alex laughed. "Will do. Now go and rest." JC nodded and closed the door behind him.
Two