Valerie's POV:
I woke up to a text from Mira: "Come to my room, I have a surprise for you!" I quickly brushed my teeth and made my way to her room. I knocked, and Mira opened the door with a bright smile.
"Come in!" she said, stepping aside to let me enter.
As I stepped into her room, she disappeared into her closet and emerged with a garment bag. "Ta-da!" she said, handing it to me.
I took the bag, curious, and zipped it open. Inside, I found a stunning dress that took my breath away. The dress was a soft, shimmering silver, with intricate embroidery that seemed to dance across the fabric. The neckline was delicate, framing the face, and the sleeves were long and flowing.
I gasped, my eyes fixed on the dress. "Mira, you didn't have to!"
Mira grinned. "I wanted to, you're my bestie, after all!" She winked, using her signature expression.
I felt a surge of gratitude. "How can I repay you?"
Mira's smile grew wider. "You can repay me by wearing it, going to the party, and staying with me in the Palace."
I grinned. "Consider it done!"
Mira beamed, satisfied. "Time to get ready, the party will start soon!"
I nodded. "Thanks, Mira. You're the best!"
With a smile still on my face, I left Mira's room, the dress safely in hand, and made my way back to my own room. I had woken up late, and now I had only two hours to get ready for the party. I quickened my pace, my heart racing with nervousness and a little excitement.
When I got to my room, I was surprised to find two garment bags on my bed. I blinked in confusion, wondering who could have left them there. I opened one of them, and my eyes widened as I saw a black, short dress with sparkling silver embroidery that shimmered like diamonds. The dress was sleeveless, with a low neckline and a fitted bodice that flared out into a flowy skirt.
I opened the other bag, and my breath caught as I saw a sea-greenish blue dress with delicate lace trim and intricate beading that resembled the stars in the night sky. The dress was floor-length, with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline that framed the face.
Both dresses were stunning, but I had no idea who could have left them for me.
Just then, I heard a knock at the door. I quickly zipped the garment bags closed and set them on the bed. I opened the door to find Prince Nova standing there, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. His hands were behind his back, like he was hiding something.
"Prince Nova!" I exclaimed, surprised.
He stepped into my room, and I quickly shut the door behind him. He brought one hand forward, took mine, and before I could protest, he sat me down on the bed and knelt before me. My eyes widened in shock.
He set a small shoe box on the floor, revealing a silver shoe with delicate straps and a sparkling buckle that looked like a tiny diamond. The shoe was exquisite, with intricate designs etched into the side.
My mouth opened in awe. "Wow..."
Prince Nova chuckled, his green eyes twinkling with amusement. He took one of the shoes and gently slipped it onto my left foot. I felt a shiver run down my spine as his fingers touched my skin.
"My mother always said good shoes takes you to good places," he said huskily.
I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. He put the other shoe on my right foot, his hands rested on my knees as he gazed up at me. His expression was soft, his eyes filled with a warmth that made my breath catch.
"I want you to wear them to the party," he said, his voice filled with conviction.
I reminded quiet, my mind reeling.
Then he glanced at the bed and said, "I brought you a dress..." He trailed off, frowning. He stood up and picked up one of the garment bags, opening it to reveal the sea-green dress. "This is the dress I got you, alright." He looked at the other garment bag, his eyes darkening. "Then..." He picked it up, and I stood up too, pulling off the shoes. Prince Nova zipped open the bag, revealing the black dress. His frown deepened, and he growled, "Who brought this dress?"
A paper fell out of the bag, and he read it, his expression darkening every second.
I asked, confused, "Who sent it?"
Prince Nova's eyes blazed with anger. "Alex, that bastard." He looked so angry that I felt a shiver run down my spine. "I will kill him."
I held his arm, trying to calm him down. "Don't, it's my fight."
He looked at me, still angry. "It's not, this is all because of me. He knows I like you, that's why he's troubling you this much."
I furrowed my brows, unsure of what to say. "How so?"
Prince Nova sighed. "He's trying to get to me through you. He knows I care about you, and he's using that against me."
I looked down, feeling a mix of emotions. "He's bothered me more than this." Prince Nova growled under his breath. I smiled, trying to reassure him. "It's okay, I will handle it."
He looked up, unconvinced. "Please trust me," I said, my voice firm.
Finally, he gave in, his expression softening. "Alright, I trust you." He smiled and said, "Please wear the dress I got you."
I shook my head, "Mira got me a dress."
He nodded in understanding, "That's alright, I would love to see you in the dress Mira got you." His eyes sparkled with sincerity, and I felt my heart flutter.
I swallowed, looking away, trying to compose myself.
Prince Nova picked up the garment bag that had Lord Alex's dress and said, "On the other hand, you're not keeping this." I nodded in agreement, relieved. He grinned mischievously, "I should start getting ready too." His eyes twinkled with excitement, and I couldn't help but smile.
When he left, I sank onto the bed, trying to process everything that had just happened and how I felt about it.
I stood up and headed for the bath. After a refreshing soak, I heard a knock at the door. I wrapped myself in a towel and opened it to find Julie smiling at me.
"Julie!" I exclaimed, surprised.
"No time, let's go!" she said, bustling into the room and dragging me to the vanity.
I looked at her confused. "What's going on?"
She grinned. "I'm helping you get ready, of course!"
I felt a surge of gratitude. "Julie...thank you."
She started applying my makeup, expertly highlighting my features. Then, she styled my hair in an elegant updo, with loose curls framing my face. Finally, it was time to put on the dress. Julie helped me into the gown, and I felt like a princess. The dress hugged all my curves, and my hair and makeup were perfect.
Julie dragged me to the mirror, and when I saw my reflection, I couldn't believe it. The person staring back at me was radiant and confident. Julie had worked magic.
"You look so beautiful, Valerie," Julie said, beaming.
I flushed, feeling a little shy. "It's only because of you."
Julie shook her head. "You're already so beautiful, I just helped you shine."
I smiled. "Thank you."
Julie asked, "Shall we start going?"
I nodded, my nerves churning in my stomach. I put on the silver shoes Prince Nova had brought me, and we walked out of my room together.
We saw Mira standing outside the ballroom with Bellamy, looking stunning in a red gown that accentuated her curves and highlighted her piercing blue eyes. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and a delicate silver necklace graced her neck. She gasped when she saw me, her eyes widening in surprise. "You look amazing, Val!"
I blushed, feeling a little self-conscious. "You too, Mira. You're radiant."
Mira smiled mischievously. "I'm glad we're making a statement tonight. We're definitely turning heads."
I chuckled. "You're always making a statement, Mira."
She grinned. "Shall we?"
I nodded, shaking off my nerves. Bellamy and Julie excused themselves, but Julie wished me good luck before leaving us to make our entrance.
The herald announced our names, "Miss Mira and Miss Valerie of Eldrida," and we stepped into the grand ballroom. The room was enormous, with high ceilings and chandeliers that sparkled like diamonds. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, and the floor was polished marble. The room was filled with people wearing suits and gowns, looking important and dignified. All eyes were on us as we made our way through the crowd.
Mira squeezed my hand, and I squeezed back. We reached the edge of the dance floor and stood next to a stout man and his wife, who were beaming at us.
My eyes scanned the room, and I spotted Lord Alex immediately. He wore a black tailcoat with a white shirt and a black waistcoat, his dark long hair styled perfectly. His eyes widened when he saw me, but he quickly looked away, his expression unreadable.
Just then, the herald announced the royal family's presence, "His Majesty King Maximilian, and His Royal Highnesses crowned Prince Nova and Prince Cadoc." The room erupted in applause as the royal family entered the ballroom, their presence commanding attention.
The king wore a tailored black tuxedo with a silver crown on his head, his beard neatly trimmed. Prince Cadoc wore a navy blue suit with a white shirt and a bow tie, his red hair slicked back. But it was Prince Nova who caught my attention - his red hair was messy and he was dressed in a grey tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders. He looked even more handsome than I remembered.
They made their way to the dais, a raised platform at the front of the room adorned with golden decorations and plush velvet seats. The party began, and I watched as the king was presented with expensive gifts - jewels, artwork, and rare artifacts. I turned to see Mira chatting with her parents, who had arrived a few minutes earlier. As I made eye contact with Prince Nova across the room, I felt a flutter in my chest. He was staring at me, his gaze intense, and I quickly looked away.
After the gifts, a massive cake was wheeled out, its surface adorned with intricate designs and numbers that counted up to 46 - the king's age. The royal family stood in front of the cake, and everyone faced them. The king lit the candles, and the room erupted in cheers and applause. The king cut the cake, and everyone cheered in celebration, feeding each other cake as was the tradition in Calonia.
I watched as Mira fed Prince Nova a piece of cake, and he fed her back. I felt out of place, standing there as everyone shared in the cake.Then, I saw Prince Nova making his way towards me with a piece of cake in his hand. My heart raced, and I froze in fear, my mind panicking. He was smiling, his eyes sparkling. Just as he was about to reach me, Lord Alex appeared out of nowhere, grinning as he fed me the cake instead. My eyes widened, but I ate the cake, my heart still racing. When I looked up, Prince Nova's face was twisted in anger, his eyes flashing with annoyance.
I turned away when Mira came to feed me a piece of cake. Lord Alex smirked at me and walked away. After the cake feeding, music started playing, and it was time to dance. A waiter presented me with a sparkling wine, and I took a sip, feeling the bubbles dance on my tongue.
As the music changed to a slow and romantic melody, I saw Mira and Prince Nova dancing, their movements graceful and in sync. I felt a strange feeling, like a pang in my chest. I couldn't quite place it. I was happy for Mira, who was smiling widely at the prince, but I felt so... restless.
Just then, someone came to stand in front of me. I looked up to see Prince Cadoc grinning, his hand extended. "Care to dance, my lady?" he asked.
I hesitated, feeling a little awkward. "I'm not really the dancing type," I said.
Prince Cadoc chuckled. "Nonsense! I'll teach you the steps. It's easy, I promise. And besides, I can't resist the chance to dance with the loveliest lady in the room."
I smiled, feeling a little more at ease. "Okay, but if I step on your feet, it's not my fault."
He laughed and took my hand, leading me to the dance floor. At first, I was clumsy, stepping on his foot and apologizing profusely. But Prince Cadoc was patient and kind, guiding me through the steps until I finally got the hang of it. We danced together, our movements becoming more fluid and graceful as the music swirled around us.
After the dance, I felt famished, so I made my way to the drinks and food area. I sat down and devoured a plate of delicious finger foods - mini quiches, fruit tarts, and savory pastries. I washed it down with another sparkling wine, feeling the bubbles refresh my palate.
The music had changed to something more upbeat, and some people were still dancing. I saw Prince Cadoc and Mira dancing, their laughter and smiles infectious. I smiled, feeling a little more at ease, and took another sip of my wine, enjoying the celebration.
Someone suddenly tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up to see a man in his late 20s, dressed in a red suit with a white shirt underneath. His dark hair was styled perfectly, and he had brown eyes. He smiled politely and said, "May I have the pleasure of this dance, my lady? You look like you could use a spin around the floor." I hesitated, feeling a bit annoyed at the interruption, but he seemed genuinely interested in dancing with me. I nodded, and he smiled, saying "Thank you."
We made our way to the dance floor, which was still filled with people swaying to the music. The song had changed to a slow, romantic melody, and he put his hand on my waist, pulling me close. I placed my hand on his shoulder, and we intertwined our hands, dancing in perfect harmony. He was a skilled dancer, and I felt at ease in his arms.
After a few moments, someone tapped him on the shoulder, and we both stopped, turning to see Prince Nova standing there. He said, "May I have a turn?"
The man nodded nervously, saying "Of course, Your Highness," and quickly scurried away. I felt a pang of disappointment, having enjoyed dancing with him.
Prince Nova put his hand around my waist, pulling me close. I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body, and my heart raced. I swallowed, unsure of how to escape this situation. I placed my hand on his shoulder, and we started dancing. He moved closer, his body pressing against mine, and I felt my cheeks flush. I looked away, trying to compose myself, but he whispered, "Look at me, only me." I turned back to him, our eyes locking in an intense gaze. We were so close now, our faces inches apart, and I could feel his warm breath on my skin.
Just as I thought things couldn't get more intense, someone tapped Prince Nova's shoulder. We both turned to see Lord Alex standing there.
He smiled sweetly and said, "Can I have a turn?"
Prince Nova's eyes darkened, and he growled, "No, you can't."
Lord Alex's smile slid off his face, and he said, "I wasn't asking you."
Prince Nova's face twisted in anger, and he snarled, "Stop doing this, stop targeting Valerie."
Lord Alex raised an eyebrow and said, "When did I target her?"
Prince Nova's voice was low and menacing, "You're always lurking around her. Leave her alone."
I couldn't take it anymore. I snapped, "Stop it, both of you!"
They looked at me, their faces frozen in surprise.
I took a deep breath and said, "My feet hurts, I need to sit."
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving them standing there. I returned to my seat, trying to calm my racing heart. I didn't look back, afraid of what I might see.
__________
The party was drawing to a close and I had chatted with Mira and Prince Cadoc, trying to put the earlier tension with Prince Nova and Lord Alex out of my mind. I was standing by the refreshments, when I felt a presence beside me and I turned to see Lord Alex. He glanced at me sideways and said, "I'm sorry."
I looked at him in surprise, noting that he didn't meet my eyes. He turned to me, his expression angry, and said, "Aren't you going to say anything? I rarely apologize to anyone."
I sputtered, "Why are you apologizing?"
He finally met my eye, looking sincere, and said, "Because of what I did on the dance floor."
I felt awkward, looking down, and said, "Oh, that..."
We stood in silence for a moment before he spoke up, his tone returning to the normal Lord Alex I knew. "Why didn't you wear the dress I bought you?"
I raised an eyebrow, challenging him, "Why did you buy a dress for me?"
He looked amused, his eyes sparkling, and said, "Oh, oh, you're finally getting bolder." I remained silent, and he continued, "I would have loved to see you in it. But..." He paused, eyeing me, and cleared his throat. "But you don't look bad in this." He looked away, his voice barely above a whisper, "In fact, you look...good."
With that, he walked away, leaving me staring after him in surprise.
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Prince Nova's POV:
The party had finally come to an end, but some guests still remained, lingering over their drinks, refusing to let the night slip away. I went to my room and grabbed the garment bag. My mind seethed with anger, my thoughts consumed by the audacity of Alex.
Without knocking, I barged into his room, the door bursting open with a loud crash. He looked up from his bed, a smirk spreading across his face as he took in my furious expression.
His smirk only fueled my anger. I threw the garment bag at him, the silk material unfurling as it hit him in the face. "You're playing games with the wrong person, Alex," I growled, my voice low and menacing.
He pushed the bag away, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Now I know why she didn't wear the dress."
My anger flared, and I took a step closer. "I'm warning you, stay away from Valerie."
Alex stood up, his eyes locked on mine. "Unless what? What will you do, Nova?"
I laughed humorlessly. "You'll find out."
Alex sneered. "She likes the attention."
My fists clenched, and I took another step closer. "Trust me, she doesn't. And I don't either. So stop it."
Alex snorted. "I can't believe you're getting angry over a maid. You really went low, didn't you?"
Before he could finish, I was on him, punching him with all my might. He fought back, and we crashed into furniture, sending objects shattering to the floor. We rolled on the ground, punching and kicking each other.
Just as we were getting into the thick of it, a female voice shouted, "Oh my goodness, please stop it!"
Hands tried to pull me off, but I shook them off, too consumed by rage. Then, a strong pair of arms wrapped around me, holding me back. I struggled, but they didn't budge.
I shouted at Alex, "It's not over, bastard!"
Alex, held back by Ariana, spat out, "It's not over too, idiot!"
I wrestled free from the guard's grip and stormed out, demanding, "Get me a nurse!"
My face throbbed, and my knuckles were raw, but I didn't care. I'd make sure Alex paid for what he'd done.