The Mystical Prince And The Pauper
Chapter 15

Taking a deep, but quiet deep breath, I looked up at Nicholas’ concern filled, sapphire eyes.

“Nicholas?” I softly called.

“Hmm?” He instinctively replied, his eyes not fleeting to mine even for a second as he remained stuck in his whirlwind of thought.

“Nick?” I called again, receiving his full attention this time,” Are you okay?”

“Awe, you called me Nick, Darling. You should do that more often, as much as I do enjoy the way my name entrancingly leaves those plump, pink lips of yours, I would enjoy an endearment or nickname as well.” He winked, obviously trying to avert my mind from my previous question.

“Nicholas.” I softly whined as our feet left crunching sounds as we stepped on dry, fallen leaves on the dry forest floor.

A light laugh left Nicholas’ lips as he ran his hand through his hair, a sigh managing to escape his lips during the tentalising, teasing movement as his arms flexed,” Well, it seems you might be getting more accustomed to me, Darling, or the bond might have strengthened enough for you to share my emotions.”

“The latter actually, now penny for your thoughts.” I repeated his words from earlier.

A laugh boomed from his lips that shook his body, making me smile at the knowledge that I had made him laugh as the tension left the atmosphere.

“Using my words against against me, huh Darling?” He raised his eyebrow teasingly in accusation and amusement.

“Maybe.” I nonchalantly shrugged even as a smile threatened to break from my lips.

“Well, on Friday the annual charity ball is being hosted at the palace and all the kingdoms’ royal families will be attending.” He sighed, running his hand through his soft, shiny locks making me crave to swat his away and replace it with mine so I could feel the softness of it as it glided in between my fingers.

“Darling, drool will escape your lips if you continue to stare so attentively at my hair. Feel free to ask if you wish to touch it it, you are more than welcome to do so.” He playfully winked.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I playfully stuck my tongue out at him,” So about the ball, am I required to attend?”

He sighed as he gently squeezed my hand as if he was reassuring me of something or sharing his strength with me.

“Yes,” He replied before looking at me for a response,” As my soulmate, you are apart of the royal family of Luminary and as such it is crucial for you attend, but I assure you, I will try to have you excused if you wish. I will not force you to attend against your wishes.” He assured me.

“But will that not reflect negatively on you?” I asked, nervously biting my lip as I was met with silence,” I need to attend don’t I?”

“No Darling, I will take care of everything, you needn’t concern your pretty self with this. I assure you.” He tried to reassure me, but for some reason I had already made up my mind about going. I wasn’t going to be the reason for his reputation being drowned in the sea. Besides, if I am going to be his soulmate, I will need to get used to attending Balls, I think.

“Nicholas, let me do this for you, I mean I will have to attend one of these sometime soon right?” I tried to cover my embarrassing first statement.

Nicholas smiled down at me with pride,” I will remain at your side throughout the night, Darling. I promise you.” He assured, gently squeezing my hand before lifting my hand and pressing a kiss on the back of it before rubbing his thumb against it, sending shivers throughout my body as it filled me with calmness and assurity.

I just hope it stays until after Friday night.

*****

“You look gorgeous, your Highness.” The two stylists simultaneously cooed, making me even more anxious to see how I looked.

“I am ecstatic to see Nick’s reaction.” Rosella practically squealed in excitement as the two ladies packed up their gadgets.

“May I get up now?” I asked, feeling more anxious with the passing seconds to see my reflection in the floor length mirror in Rosella’s floor length mirror.

“Yes of course, Dear.” The older looking one of the two replied, rushing to me to remove the cape they had me wear to prevent the makeup particles from ruining my dress.

She gently took my hands into hers before helping me up. I slowly walked to the mirror to avoid tripping on either my heel clad feet. Heels were foreign territory to me especially stilettos so I will be walking like a toddler learning to walk tonight. I just hope I don’t trip and embarrass myself.

I stopped in front of the mirror and couldn’t help the gasp that left my lips. I looked like me, but stunning. I had on a strapless navy blue high-low skirt dress that flared from my waist where a shiny, gold encrusted belt went all the way around my waist. The dress then flared until my knees. I had a silver necklace with a diamond shaped into a three leafed clover that nestled above my breasts. This was matched with a matching pair of diamond, three leaf clover shaped earrings. My afro was neatly tied to the bottom, right side of my head with a black hair band that had a black bow. My outfit was completed by a pair of black stilettos.

My make up consisted of a smoky eye to enhance the brownish-hazel colour of my eyes. Mascara lined my eyelashes to make them pop out and seem thicker and fuller. My foundation consisted of a natural tone that just hid my blemishes, but did not change my skin tone then my lips had on transparent lip gloss as per my wishes.

In general, I was over pleased with my look. I loved what I saw. I looked gorgeous even for myself.

“What do you think?” Rosella excitedly bounced from behind me.

“I think we look exquisite.” I honestly replied.

“Well, I believe you look exquisite, my dear friend.” She squealed excitedly emphasising on the ‘you’.

“You look just as.” I argued.

She looked beautiful in a peach coloured, boob tube, strapless, flared, length dress. Her heels were a pair of white ones and her makeup was as simple as mine except for her lips which were painted in nude lipstick and of course her hair that was tied in a high ponytail that was curled to perfection with a few curly tendrils framing her face.

Her jewelry consisted of a silver choker and her silver, tiara with the kingdom’s three leafed clover in the middle made up of emerald jewels.

“Shall we go before all the guests arrive? I hear that more than half have already arrived.” She winked before bouncing all the way to the door.

I shook my head at her child like behaviour that never ceased to amaze me. We walked into the empty halls as most of the maids were serving in the ballroom. We walked as slow as snails mostly because I didn’t want to fall face first onto the painful, marble flooring and break a bone or more.

We finally reached the staircase from that led to outside of the ballroom. Of course there was one that led into the ballroom, but I really didn’t want unwanted attention on me tonight.

We walked down the staircase to be greeted by the handsome Prince himself at the bottom. He had his eyes locked on the door leading to the ballroom with his hands neatly folded behind his back as annoyance radiated from him in silent waves that had a giggle escaping my lips, instantly getting his attention as he looked up at him. His eyes seemed to bulge out of his eye sockets as his mouth seemed to slacken even his straight posture seemed to slacken. Even my mouth threatened to slacken and my knees threatened to weaken as my heart melted at his handsome sight.

He was in a matching navy blue tuxedo that he matched with a black bowtie and black, leather dress shoes. His brunette hair was neatly sleeked back with gel, but a feeling told me that it would not remain this neat for the entirety of the night.

“Darling...” He paused, his eyes roaming profusely over my form, making me nervously shuffle on my spot as Rosella slipped away from the corner of my eye,” Exquisite, stunning, gorgeous, beautiful, simply indescribably magnificent. You are truly a sight for sore eyes, Darling. Marvelous.”

His compliments had my face feeling warm as I looked down at my stiletto clad feet shyly.

“Thank you, so do you.” I whispered, slowly looking up at him,” Handsome that is.”

“Thank you, Darling. That weighs quite a great deal of weight coming from you.” He softly smiled, sincerity lacing his words and shining brightly from his orbs that complimented the suit well,” Shall we join everyone? We would not want to keep them waiting and nor would we want to withhold such a gorgeous sight from them.” He flirtatiously winked at me offering me his hand, making a soft giggle leave my lips at his charm and playfulness.

I walked down the few stairs before placing my hand into his larger, offered one just for his to engulf my smaller one. He looked me in the eye as he placed a kiss on the back of my hand before he let his hand slide to my waist where it gently secured itself.

Even with my heels, I only reached his shoulder s I had to strain my head to look up at him.

A gentle kiss being placed on my temple had me smiling up at him as he guided us in the direction of the ballroom where I knew many people of much higher status were impatiently waiting to judge and scrutinise me.

That thought alone brought fear and shivers crawling down my spine and had my heart threatening to fall down into my stomach as it sped in my chest and threatened to jump from it. But somehow, with Nicholas by my side, I felt equal strength and confidence that allowed me to believe that I could face them and would come out victorious.

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