Chapter 3: Meeting the Prince

I roamed around the palace halls aimlessly looking for the seamstresses quarters, it bothered me that the Ball is going to start soon and I was roaming around looking for the seamstress instead of having my fun.

I groaned many times as I roam around the palace halls, I didn't know my Complains reached a certain someone that was reading in the Garden

I came back or rather passed down the same place or hall multiple times and it was starting to piss me off

"The palace is an maze!" I complained as I walked around passing the garden.

The Crown Prince was reading in the garden when he heard my complain

He smiled noticing the familiarity of the voice and stood up following the source of it

It took him five minutes and the source of the voice died down, disappointed he turned around only for him to bump into a certain girl

I stood up dusting myself of and looked at him for a second he wasn't anyone familiar but it smacked me in the head and I quickly did a courtesy

"Y-your Highness I'm so sorry" I stuttered still down on my Courtesy

He stood up dusted himself off and smiled at me.

"It's fine miss?" He said, I looked up seeing his smile, clearly it hit me that he somehow know my name and is just acting that he doesn't

But I would never ask him if we met before, plus it was quite impossible knowing his the Crown Prince and has ample of free time to go out into the city

"Amara.... Amara Hollow your Highness" I said snapping out of my thoughts, he smiled

I don't really know why was he whole heartedly smiling but I didn't really bother

"Amara Hollows.... Such beautiful name" he said, I smiled

There was a sense of familiarity in his voice, I was smiling at him trying to wrack my brain of where did I heard his voice

It took me all my courage just to say what I was thinking, but half of my brain chickened out on me

And the thought of meeting the crown prince was quite impossible yet there's still part of me being bugged by the sense of familiarity through his voice

"Uhm... You highness not to be rude but" I started only for his smiled to get bigger "Have we met before?" I asked

He threw his head back laughing, while I looked at him confused

"Have we? I do believe so" He answered mysteriously, while I look at him dumbfounded.

"I'm sorry?" I said clearly confused at his answer, I didn't really expect his answer, I expected to be more like an Yes or No answer.

He waved his hand dismissively and looked at me with his emerald green eyes

I felt uncomfortable, part of my head was screaming I have met him before while the other part is screaming to get out of here

"Do you know where the seamstress quarters is?" I blurted out realised what I had said I cupped my mouth, while he laughed

He pointed to the right hall "when you reach the end of the hall take a right" He said kindly his eyes full of mischief

I thanked and curtseyd him and walked on my way, having the feeling he was watching me I looked back only for me to find him smiling mysteriously and waving his hand.

I headed towards the seamstress my mind racing, I heard the Crown Prince was quite a troublemaker.

I shaked my head forcing the thought out of my brain, and I entered the seamstresses quarters

"Hello? I came here to get the scarf of Bella Madison" I said scanning the room for any living thing that was lurching around

"Ah yes yes" a voice replied "Here, Get this" she handed me the Beautiful red Scarf

"Thank you.... Ms?" I said clearly wanting to know her name, she chuckled

"Sarah.... Call me Sarah" The voice said as she stepped out of the dark and into the light.

I was in awe of her beauty, she had blonde hair with brown eyes, wearing an red dress up to her knees

"Though I must prefer removing the Ms." She said chuckling, which made me snap out of the trance I had been

"Pardon?" I said as she walked across me going to some dresses

"Ms is only for Fancy people not for peasants or Maids" She laughed, I rolled my eyes

"Okay then Sarah?" I said kindly "it was nice meeting you..... My name is Amara Hollow" I introduced myself

She cocked her head to me having a devious grin

"Ah yes.... The girl who needs a whole wardrobe" She joked, I laughed Nervously

"Haha yes" I said sheepishly, she Laughed and waved her hand dismissively

"I am your seamstress in charge of your Dresses" she said, I smiled

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Sarah" I said knowing I gained an friend on the first day of my stay in the palace

"Same here.... But I bet you have a Ball to go to" She said, my eyes widened as I forgot about the ball

"My apologies, it seems I forgot about it" I laughed, she did the same

"Then I suppose you better get going" her eyes went into some fabric smiling

"I guess so" I said "I shall take my leave then"

I walked out having Bella's scarf in my hands, so far I have met the Crown Prince and made a new friend, the thought made me smile

I walked back to the Debutantes wing and inside our room

I saw everyone inside ready only waiting for me.

"What took you so long?" Emily said fighting a smile, I rolled my eyes giving her the scarf

I wasn't going to tell this girl that I accidentally met the Crown Prince, I wasn't taking any chances

I smiled at her and sat down the chair

"It seems that I had trouble going to the seamstress quarters" I said calmly "As I am only new here, I do not know where is where" I said smiling

"It seems like that" Bella said her hands went into her chin, I fought myself a grin

"Then next time try to be familiar with your surroundings" Roxanne said warmly though I must say there's still a hint of threaten to her voice

I nodded smiling at them as they sat down beside me waiting for the call of debutantes to go to the Ball

Meanwhile the Crown Prince was with his best friend thinking if meeting Amara Hollows again was a coincidence

Though he was deep in thought James was able to remove him from his cloud of thoughts

"Is there something the matter Andrew?" James asked as Andrew looked at him startled

"Nothing, nothing is the matter James" He replied, clearly James wasn't hooking the bait

"Is this related to You sneaking out of the Palace?" James said crossing his arms, while Andrew stared at him wide eye surprised

"I suppose" He replied, James Sighed

"Get it off your shoulder for now" James said massaging his nose Bridge "As we have a Ball to attend"

Andrew smiled knowing he would see Amara Hollows again by being at the Ball

James looked at him confused

Andrew smiled back at his confused face, Amara Hollows was the girl he bumped into yesterday when he snuck out of the Castle

And somehow she was now inside the castle roaming around finding the seamstress,

The time came for them to go to the Ball and getting a grand entrance

"Wow.... This place is awesome" I said, beside me was Roxanne sipping a cup of punch while Emily scowled beside her

"Of course it is.... This is the palace for goodness sake" Emily said clearly annoyed by my stupidity

"I do notice that Emily" I shot back crossing my arms

We were in a room where the Ball was taking place, Apparently ladies-in-waiting have to stay put and watch as their host get their first dance

Bella got her first dance with a rich childe, while we stand on the corner drinking or watching Bella having fun

Emily was glaring at me while the Royal fanfare blew

The door opened and the royal family emerge

The King was first to walk out and beside him was non other than the Queen herself

Their children was next to them, one princess and two prince, I looked at them they were said a perfect family

The King and Queen sat on their thrones as well as the younger prince and princess while the Crown Prince descended the stairs

A wholesome debutantes crowded themselves among the crown prince, he picked his first dance to be a girl with blonde hair and black eyes wearing Green dress, which I guessed to be Lady Eagle as I heard the description of her dress

Emily was nowhere to be found and Roxanne was scowling beside me

"Is there something the matter?" I asked Roxanne who was drinking her half drunken punch

"Emily went to the dance" she replied more aggressive then she ment

My eyes went skyward, I didn't know dancing was forbidden

"Is there something wrong with dancing?" I asked her, she turned to face me

"No, there's nothing wrong" she said trying to contain her anger "It's just, we need to just be there for Bella not stealing away some men who is supposedly going to court her"

I cocked my head to where Emily was, she was laughing with a guy while their dancing, I got jealous as I saw her having fun while I just stand there doing nothing

"Is that so?" I said, Roxanne nodded

I tried to fight myself looking like I was jealous of her, but I guess Roxanne noticed and she sighed

"We need to be here for Bella, Amara" Roxanne said her voice starting to soften.

"Pls, just Mara" I said, I'm not used to people calling me by my name, I'm used to people calling me by my Nickname

Roxanne nodded, while I looked away my eyes going to the direction of the prince

The prince was smiling and talking to the so called Lady Eagle while they danced

As I was watching them a guy unnoticeably went behind me, he tapped my shoulder causing me to jump

"So sorry if I startled you," He said his hands extended "But may I have this dance?"

I looked at him hesitantly and looked at Roxanne who was giving me a look

Of course, I can't let Emily have all the fun since she was out there dancing, so I gladly took the opportunity

"Yes, of course" I said putting my hand on his hand and he led me to the dance floor "May I know my partner's name?" I asked while he stopped and looked at me

"Oliver, Oliver Smith" He said waiting for the music to play

"Well it's nice to meet you Oliver" I chuckled as the music started we waltzed around the dance floor talking about some things

"Do you have a sibling or cousin?" He asked his curious eyes met mine

"Yes, I do" I said, he smiled

"What's her name?" He pushed "it would be lovely to meet her someday"

Was this guy saying he was going to court me? No he can't be that serious, I thought

"My Cousin's name is Bella Madison" I said wanting to get out of the convo

His face went pale, I guessed he was surprised that he was dancing with a Lady-in-waiting but I didn't really mind

We switched partners and I was faced by a familiar face, The Crown Prince

He smiled at me, while I smiled back at him, I looked around to see Roxanne and Emily surprised

"Hello again Ms. Amara" he said, I looked back at him

"Hello again Your Highness" I said, he probably caught the nervousness in my voice cuz he gave me a wide smile

"Relax Ms. Amara" he said, I fought myself to roll my eyes

"PLS, just Mara" I said as we parted ways and I was with another partner, he was awfully quiet, I guessed that he didn't want to talk to me

We parted with the quiet dancer and I was back with my partner Oliver,

"Your a friend of the Prince?" He asked, I looked around to see Roxanne eying me

"What?!" I said more alarmed than I thought "No! Of course not! He was just friendly" I said defensively

The music stopped and he bowed while I curtseyd, I walked back to my spot to see Emily smiling and Roxanne scowling

"What did you do!" Roxanne said "Why did you do that?!"

I was confused for a second, yet it irritated me to see Emily so happy

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked Roxanne who was clearly trying to hold her anger

"Yes, yes you did!" Roxanne replied "you danced with the Crown Prince!"

Now it hit me, they don't want me dancing with the Crown Prince, I smiled at Roxanne

"If that's the case," I said calmly "then I will not do it again" Knowing there is a bit of sureness on what I said, but I didn't promise

"Good" Roxanne said, gripping her glass cup

I was a bit hungry since I had fun dancing, I went to the buffet table, seeing a lot of foods and deserts made my mouth water

I dove in, getting some cake and some drinks, I looked over to where the royals are, and saw the Princess staring at me

It was weird since I caught the princess attention, her eyes left me not long when I putted another cake in my mouth, I looked to where the young prince is and I almost laughed

He was looking at the chandelier counting the candles, this is what I always do when I was bored, taught by my little brother

I held back my laugh as I got my food and stuffed it in my face, The Ball was a bit boring and I attempted to leave since there's nothing much to do

I went back to where Bella and the others are only for them to see Bella curtseing to the Crown Prince

I almost forgot to Breathe seeing the crown prince, though I am not really fond of him, he do seem to know me which I am still knowing how

"Your Highness" I said dropping a curtsey, he looked at me smiling his cheeky smile

"Hello again" He said, His words sent Roxanne and the others look at me

Oh god I though, knowing I would get a wholesome lecture

"I do hope you ladies are enjoying the Ball?" He asked his eyes still at me, I stifled a grin

"Yes your highness" Bella answered, while Roxanne nodded and same goes for Emily

He turned to them tearing away his eyes at me, I fought myself giving of a sigh of relief

"Then I must be going" he said, The four of us dropped our curtsey and he left, I had a feeling someone was throwing daggers at me and I looked back

To my surprise there was, Roxanne, Emily and Bella was glaring at me

"You met the Crown Prince?!" Roxanne said, her tone rising a bit

"No.... He bumped into me" I replied my hands finding its way to my neck

"Now, now.... Amara" Bella said glaring at me "We do hope you would stay away from the Prince"

I nodded agreeing with them rather fastly "Yes of course dear cousin" I said

My answer seems to calm Roxanne a bit since she trust me, I think, as well as Bella

Only Emily was the one left glaring, I ignored her hoping she would stop but I guess I could only hope.

I do really hope I don't bump into the prince again, it would be rather troublesome since I am a lady in waiting and not a Debutante