〜☆DMCE Part 2☆〜

Instructions

Sorry if it sounds bad, the filter kept flagging it no matter what I did, so I put it through AI to make it super chill, but the writing sounds just like mine, just a… less interesting version of it… The Princess Told by Megan I watch Henry and Amelia dance. They look so in love. I wish I had someone like that. But the truth is, I’m still figuring out who I’m drawn to. The door to the ballroom opens suddenly. A girl steps inside, her hair bouncing as she walks in. Everyone stares at her. “Sorry, am I late?” she asks, looking at all the surprised faces. I glance at my pocket watch, hidden in the secret pocket my seamstress sewed into my dress. She is definitely late. Not just a few minutes—it's half past eight. The dance started at seven. The thing about being late for galas, especially Sunwood galas, is that you simply aren’t. You’re either on time, or you’re heading back home. And yet, this girl stands there as if she arrived exactly when she meant to. “Is something the matter?” she asks the crowd. They all shake their heads and quickly return to what they were doing. Except me. My eyes stay on her. She notices and begins walking toward me. Why didn’t I just look away like everyone else? “Care to dance?” she asks. I look around, trying to see who she might be talking to, but her eyes stay on me. I want to shout “Yes!” but I don’t. I try to stay calm. “Um… isn’t that a bit…” I search for the right word. “Improper?” I bite my lip. There is no way she wants to dance with someone as nervous as me. She thinks for a moment, and I worry she’ll change her mind. “I suppose it is,” she says, “but being the crown princess has its benefits.” My face turns redder than the juice in my cup. How did I not notice? The dress? The hair? “So sorry, your highn—” I begin, but she cuts me off. “Please don’t start with that ‘your highness’ stuff,” she says, sounding a little frustrated. Her eyes shift away, embarrassed. I would have felt the same. “So… shall we?” she asks more gently after a moment. I nod, still blushing. We start dancing, and I can’t bring myself to stop. Not the curious looks people give us. Not the whispers. But she’s right—no one approaches us. They must have realized who she is. The night continues as we sway to the harp in the corner of the room. We move together easily. Then her eyes meet mine. I know what I’m about to do before it happens. I lean in, and we share a quick, gentle kiss. She steps back sooner than I expect, and suddenly I realize what I’ve done. I can’t bring myself to look up at her. I’m afraid of what I’ll see. “Well, I have to go,” she says softly. “My father will start worrying if I’m not home soon.” I become aware of how empty the ballroom has become. I nod, unable to speak. She begins to walk away. “Wait!” I manage to say just as she reaches the door. She turns back. “Will I see you again?” She raises an eyebrow. “I guess we’ll have to find out, won’t we?” The doors close behind her, and with the last bounce of her curls, the princess is gone.