Odessa

Alexander says the ballroom is very pretty to look at. He says it is covered in purple and gold drapes along with teal and white drapes, to signify the two nations coming together.

I hate this. I don't want to go.
My arm is still sore, whenever I try to twist or turn, I wince in pain. Even bending down with my back is torture.

Of course none of the maids know, but they are still instructed by Alexander to keep me wearing a dress that covers my back and arms.

Alexander gives me ointment and medicine to help me but it doesn't help too much. I feel my back is still aching. To even think a hound could make me agonise with so much pain sends bad chills down my spine.
No wonder the guards are instructed to keep their claws long and sharp, so they could traumatise idiots like me..

It is six o'clock and I am about to get changed. Ever since the incident, Alexander comes to help me put on my clothes. I don't want the maids to squeal to Mother that I have brutally ugly scars.

They hand Alexander my clothes zipped up in a suit protector.
"They said you would love this" he grins as he zips it down.

Immediately I am amazed.

Before me is a long flowing pitch black dress. No, it isn't just black,
It has hints of turquoise, slate and deep violet fabric, all combining together. Immense detail has been put into this dress as glistening glitter flows everywhere.
It looks like a galaxy far up in the sky.

I am speechless. Such a dress suits me. With my glossy red hair and sparkling brown eyes and freckles, this dress is made just for me. And I am going to show it to the world.

By my reaction, Alexander knows I am delighted.
"Well at least the dress will be a success"

He helps me into it. I flinch whenever I have to bend down or lift my left arm.
"Just try your best not to wince in front of everyone, they'll find out and we don't want that..."

"I know Alexander" I know well enough of the consequences. If Mother and Father find out, I will be undone.

He leaves me to the maids to prep my makeup and hair. He is never good with that stuff.

I put on crimson coloured lipstick with pale smoky eyes. Simple yet effective.

As I stare into the mirror, I tell myself the following words,
"Get a hold of yourself Odessa, you can do this. This will be easy peasy, a walk in the park"

But no matter how hard I try, my hands continue to shake.

If only being a princess didn't involve this messed up love affair.

* * * * *

Alexander was right, the ballroom is perfect.
Dazzling lanterns hang up in the air accompanying the chandelier lit with wax candles. The aroma in the room is truly satisfying. I can smell a buffet nearby. A perfect tang of cheese and cooked meat fill my nose. My mouth starts to fill up with salvia.
I am too caught up with the smell and the dazzling marble walls lit up, I don't notice James.

His strong jaw and chin are slightly scruffy, as though he didn't intend to shave for the occasion but he makes it work. His dark chestnut hair is combed back and his slate coloured suit brings out his complexion. He looks charming.

He brushes past my arm and whispers "Just to warn you, he'll be here soon.."
I have to sigh. "James I'll be fine"
"But be careful, especially with your temper and no matter what, just smile, it will please Mother"

Unexpectedly we both turn to see Mother inspecting the glassware on the table. Butlers, including Alexander, stand at the side like the military, all in sync as they have their left hand holding a tray of champagne and little nibbles.

"Surely he'll fall in love in first sight, by your looks. You look stunning tonight" he breathes and smiles.

I blush. "Why thank you, but if he saw me last night I think he would have vomited..."
"Oh imagine that!" We both laugh at each other. It is nice to be the only two beside the butlers and Mother in the room.

Just as we thought, Mother comes over and inspects us. Her forehead of lines of stress and remorse disappear when she sees us.
"Oh my, my two darlings, you both look amazing"

James and I just smile. James put his arm around her complimenting her attire.
"And you look like a young gorgeous queen ready for the throne"

He is right. Mother does look like a young princess again. The blue dress really does bring out her eyes and her brushed back rosy hair brings out her slim face. She looks exactly like me.

"Oh stop it James, once I get this one out I'll be fine' she laughs, holding her stomach.
Suddenly she jolts and laughs. "The baby is kicking" and before I process the news she grabs my hand and presses it on her bump.
I wait and then I feel it too. I grin and
James presses a hand too. With a fruity voice he states "That's a strong kick!"

Mother beams "Only a two month until we'll meet your new sibling"
She turns to James and says "You never know, soon you could have a niece or nephew" and glances at me.

Instantly I shudder at the thought of bearing a child.

"Where are the others?" I ask to keep the conversation going.
"Oh" she quickly looks away "Father will be here shortly, he's meeting the King and Queen beforehand, Herald, Rosa, Ethan and Charlie are upstairs, they'll only be here for a short while, all eyes will be on you Odessa"

I can only grin but really I want to laugh in her face. As if I wanted any of this.

"Well, I can't wait to meet them!" James adds in.

Thankfully Mother leaves to inspect more glassware.

"Odessa, I saw the way you wanted to roll your eyes, just stop it, alright?" James lowers his voice.
I kick him. Even if I'm weak, I can still give him a strong kick. He recoils back and winces.
"What was that for?!" He snarls through clenched teeth.
"Maybe you should stop treating me like a child!" I protest, clenching my fists, wanting to punch him.

As I prepare to pack a punch, James turns away and looks in awe and affection. I turn to see Ethan, all dressed in a grey suit, matching James'. I have to gasp. With slicked back hair he looks handsome. My little brother is growing up. Gerard would love to have seen this.

"Wow Ethan! You look so fine!" I woo. With his hands in his pockets, he just sighs.
"What's the matter? Bored already?! The party hasn't even started!" James chuckles as he ruffles his hair. He makes Ethan groan.
"Stop it James! I just don't want to be here..."

"Oh! Little Ethan doesn't want to be here!" We both pout and grab him by the arm. "Well tough luck buddy, Great Aunt Pearl will probably want to give you a big sloppy kiss!"
He rolls his eye and before I can add another joke, a large crowd of unfamiliar faces start to come in.

"There's the Clarkson's family..." I look stunned. I just thought it was his parents and siblings, not his entire family.
Aunts, uncles, younger cousins and old great aunt and uncles come in, all embarking towards the food.

We can hear Mother squeal as she greets them all.
She would love this, a large family Christmas, just a larger crowd to entertain.

Soon, a few of the Clarkson's' start to notice us and walk towards us.
"Well, we better go and get some food, shouldn't we Ethan?" James elbows him and they make a run for the buffet, leaving me to defend myself.

"Well look who's here! It's Odessa Blackthorn! We heard a lot from your family!" I hear a strong Russian accent from an old lady.
They all gather around me, all inspecting me before the big judge comes. "Your dress is fabulous!"
I just smile, hoping they don't touch my back or arms.

It feels like forever until the Prince finally arrives.
I am half way through my third mini pie, speaking to my cousin Roberta when suddenly trumpets start to play throughout the room, playing the Southern Isle's National Anthem.

Everyone looks towards the two large doors and soon Father comes in, wearing his suit with a blue sash and medals.
He holds scribes and declares at the top of his voice "I hereby announce the arrival of King Fernando and Queen Isabelle Clarkson of the Southern Isles, accompanied with their son, Prince Nicolai Clarkson!"

The crowd erupts into cheers and clapping as the Clarkson's bow.
I don't get a glimpse of Nicolai as he is positioned behind his parents as they enter but judging by his parent's good looks, I say he has a strong beauty gene.

I can't even look up as I notice Rosa and Charlie have found me.
I am taken away with how grown up they both looked, especially Charlie as he wears the same suit as the other two. But Rosa, with her pretty caramel hair is wearing a sleeveless basil dress that makes her green eyes shine. I immediately hug them both and laugh with them.
I am so happy to see them.

"Dessy! You look amazing!" Charlie proclaims as he stuffed another pie into his mouth. It is sweet that he still calls me Dessy, his nickname for me since he was born.
"Well you look so grown up!" I lift him up and swing him in my arms even though it aches.
"When did you grow up to be a dashing young knight?" He laughs, absorbing my compliments.
He loves getting compliments. "And you!" I bend down to be eye-to-eye with Rosa.
"I bet you Prince Nicolai will rather want you than me!" She places her hands over her face, becoming the same colour as beetroot.

We are about to engage more in our conversation when Father appears. Both Rosa and Charlie rush away.

He looks me up and down. "You look beautiful, just the way you should be!" He is smiling so much, I'm too afraid to even accept his complaint.
Did he have a drink already?
"Thank you" I mumble, my hands becoming sweaty.
"Nicolai can't wait to meet you, you should advance forward and show that you are interested...for once...."
"But I...-"
"Just do as I say" he replies back and leaves.
Great. Now I need to find the prince in this crowed room.

Blowing a gust of air, I march forward towards the buffet. Better start there.

Pushing past the people and trying to be polite saying my hellos, I make it, only to see James laughing with a tall blonde girl, both holding glasses of champagne.
The girl brushes back her long locks of hair as she listens to James's (probably boring) story.
I walk forward and tug at his collar. He turns, glaring as if to say 'I'm busy here'

"By any chance do you know where the Prince is...."
"I don't know, now go away and find him yourself..."

Groaning I turn away, as James returns to the dashing female. If I had his charm I could get any man I wanted, not this bloody Prince....

I am caught mid thought when I see a young man before me.
But not just any man, the sort of man that would wisp up any woman just by a glance. A sharp lean frame of a man stands before me.
"Wow" I mouth as he laughs.

Because of his laughing, I notice his strong jaw line and chin.
It is clean and shaven, unlike James's. With light green eyes and hazel hair he looks irresistible and gorgeous.

For once, I don't feel the throbbing in my back or left arm.

I am so caught up with trying to breathe and staying alive. My heart rattles inside its delicate rib cage.

Adrenaline rushes through my body. Blood pulses through my veins and I feel so alive by his presence.

He must have noticed me as he comes towards me. Oh dear. I can't do this. Oh dear.

He grins from ear to ear, his teeth pure white.

"Finally! I was looking for you!"
The sound of his soft voice vibrates through me, causing butterflies to implode in my stomach.
Me? Oh my.

And then it hit me. He was looking for me because he's Prince Nicolai...

He isn't wearing any medals or sashes, just a plain black suit. His purple tie is a bit crocked but besides from that, he looks perfect.
Oh so perfect...

I can't speak. My tongue has gone so dry; there is no moisture to absorb.
I just brush a piece of hair behind me and smile. He laughs. His laugh is the best noise I've ever heard in my life.

Finally I speak. "So are you enjoying Erivale?" He looks down and smiles deeper, his forehead showing creases of happiness.
"Yes, so far it's been good..." he looks at me, his deep blue eyes like endless oceans "But meeting you has made this visit ten times better..."

I am undone. It is as if someone has thumped a gun at the end of my spine.

"You're such a charmer"
I want to bite my tongue. A charmer?! Out of all things to say!
Thankfully he doesn't even notice my remark and just laughs again.

"Well it's impossible not to charm a beautiful girl like you"
Every time he talks, a syllable, or even when he lets out a sigh, something stirs inside of me. It stirs a feeling of profound empathy, a feeling of warmth.
A feeling that I haven't felt in a long time.

"I have to tell you, your dress is amazing, you look like - "

I complete his sentence "a galaxy".
His brushes a hand against his hair, his ruffled bed like hair.
"I must tell you, I honestly thought by the way my mother was reacting, you wouldn't like me.." his tender voice makes me shiver.

"Same here, my mother only told me yesterday you were coming!"

He looks baffled. "Yesterday?! I've known about this for two years! My mother has been counting down the days, minutes and seconds!"

I have to laugh. "Seriously?! Well I hope I am well worth the wait!"

"You truly are Odessa...you truly are..."

Okay so this is chapter eleven and honestly I want to celebrate! Reaching this far is amazing to me! Thank you all for reading,voting and commenting, it means so much!
Okay the photo is the dress Odessa is wearing, just imagine it without the straps and with flowing sleeves! I hope you like it :)