XI

Standing proudly with my head held high, I stare at my reflection by the mirror.

My purple gown hugs my curve perfectly. It's made of 270 yards of fabric, countless layers of tulle on petticoat, and no less than 4 miles of threads, as it is being completed with more than 10,000 Swarovski crystals.

Though I always wear gown, still this is a dream come true to wear such a aesthetic gown, specially that it is on my favorite color.

I turned myself about, feeling its weight as it sways by the air. I notice my masquerade on the bed.

Its shapes like a butterfly, but it's made of petals and colored on gold and purple, with still tiny Swarovski crystals on it.

Today is February 14 and it's my 18th Birthday. Welcome to legality Princess Athaliah Neriah Laurevés.

I didn't know I can be prettier than before. I wear my silver and black Decorative Heels and it suits me very well.

I'm now wearing my beautiful mask covering the half of my face. I'm also wearing a small silver and gold crown on my head.

"Are you ready?" I heard my mom's voice. She's wearing Beautiful Halter neck gown, a band encircling the neckline connecting to the sleeveless bodice leaving the shoulders and part of the back bare with a fir cape on her shoulders. Her Beautiful Spool heels just matched her elegant gown for tonight.

"I'm feeling nervous," I admitted while I'm still looking at my reflection while she's beside me.

"It's normal," she gave me a motherly smile. "Everyone is waiting for you. Let's go?" She handed me my purple lace gloves.

I inhaled and exhale before I followed her outside. I can hear noises from the people. Everyone is invited and that makes me more nervous.

From the stairs I can see Prince Marius and my Father waiting for their lady to go down.

"Today," my mother said and all of them looked at her. I'm still here near the stairs but they can't see me because there's a wall. "Is the 18th birthday of the Crown Princess, my daughter Athaliah," she's sounds so proud that I'm her daughter. "We open up the barriers and the gates that's why all of you are here," then she looked at me. "Please welcome the Crown Princess." Then I slowly walked aside towards her.

I took off my mask so they can see my outer and inner beauty and wore it again.

The host gestured me to go down after my mother. While I'm slowly walking down I'm staring at everyone who are here.

The regulars gathered on one side and the Villains too. Their smiles are all pure and bright. The royalties are in the middle so they can dance with us. Then Prince Marius officially grab my hand.

"Crown Princess Athaliah," Prince Marius bowed down at me and so am I. He handed me his hand. "You're..." He can't take his eyes off me. "You're breathtaking to look at."

He brought me in the middle and gently held my waist with his right hand. He intertwined our free hands and didn't look away.

We started to dance and swayed our bodies in rhythm. Our bodies are too close to the point that our lips can easily collide. His eyes were sparkling while he's staring at me, as we're dancing. Why can't I choose this guy over the throne?

My gown sways every time we change our spot. I bend after he makes me turned for how many times.

The other royalties are dancing with us and they look so beautiful with their elegant gowns and tuxedos.

Later I will dance tango with Prince Marius. We're always destined to be partner since we're little children.

"Are you hungry already, do you want to eat now?" He asked after we danced.

"Kind of'" I laughed and he also did.

I saw Sverre and Adira together with hands entwined while the maidens are serving their foods. I felt like my heart was been shattered into pieces.

"Happy birthday crowned Princess Athaliah." Some royalties greeted me and handed me their gifts.

"Thank you... Don't forget to enjoy." I smiled at them before sitting down beside Prince Marius.

We started eating and he can't really take his eyes off me while we're eating.

If I'm just a normal girl will I fall in love with this perfect guy in front of me?

"Stop staring, I might think that you're falling for me." He joked but I know deep inside he's hoping.

"Ladies and Gentlemen you may all change your clothes," the organizer said and I looked at Prince Marius.

"Let's go?" I asked then he only nodded at me.

I went to my room and changed my clothes. I'm now wearing all royal blue cocktail fitted dress. I didn't take off my mask so it makes me more stunning.

"Hmm... Hmmm... Hmmm," I hummed the song that played earlier while we were dancing.

"My princess, let's go!" I heard Prince Marius voice outside me room. I smiled at myself in the mirror before going out. "So sexy!" He laughed at me so I smacked him.

The song started to play while we're going down. I split when we reached in the middle; the audiences' mouth formed an "O" because of what I did.

My 5 inches heels are making me more comfortable while I'm dancing. My hair is tied in bun using just a hair clip.

When I turned around Prince Marius pulled away the clip that made my hair flow and sway freely while I'm dancing.

He rests his forehead on mine as we both catch our breaths. I smiled, he simply replied me with this boyish grin.

Removing my arms around his neck I slowly shook my head and faced the crowd once more.

"Water," I whispered when I suddenly got thirsty. He grabs my hand and bowed before pulling me to the kitchen and got some glass and water.

"That's tiring," we laughed at each other.

"Let's get ready; we're going to dance again for the last time." He looked at me like he's really tired.

There's no dance for the 18th roses but I will dance to those people who holds roses, really tiring.

I'm already wearing my gown again with a fury cape on my shoulders. The song started to play and I looked at every man who's holding a rose.

My heart trump when I saw Sverre holding a red rose. Prince Marius is my first dance and he's holding his rose by his mouth.

"Silly Crown Prince," I said because he gestured me to get the flower off his mouth.

"Were engaged soo--" He said as I took the flower off his mouth using my lips because he don't want to let go of my hands.

"You're lucky!" I said and pushed him so I can dance with the next guy which I regret it after.

"Teivil, hey bro!" I chuckled because of what I called him.

He smiled at me, the purest smile that he gave in my entire life.

"Happy birthday mi amor," in a husky voice, the rose is not color red at all, its color white. "Bro, huh"

He's always like that... Gusto niya lagi ay na iiba siya sa lahat.

"Pwede na kayo magsama ni, Prince Marius. You're both silly." We both laughed until we finish the dance.

On one snap he's now in front of me...

"If I only know na you're going here sama tinignan ko muna ang mga pangalawa ng mga bisita," I said without looking at him.

"Huwag kang mag-alala napilitan lang din ako," Hinawakan niya ang aking baba at pinalingon ako sa kanya dahilan kung bakit nagtama ang aming mga tingin.

Nakakailang...

"Happy birthday," Sverre said and hand me the flower before he wrap his arms around on my waist.

"Thank you." I awkwardly said.

He started to sway me slowly. I can't even look into his eyes when he's trying to catch my sight.

"Iniiwasan mo ba ako?" He's lips touching my ear as he whispered.

"Huh? Iniiwasan? Sino?" Naningkit ang kaniyang mga mata sa akin.

"Wala... Walang nang-iiwas." Naka-buntong hiningang ika niya.

Sa halip na sagutin ko siya ay nakisayaw na lang ako hanggang sa siya na ang kusang bumitaw at tumapos ng sayaw.

"Hihintayin kita sa garden naroon ang aking regalo." He whispered those words as he planted a soft kiss on my temple before leaving me.

What was that?!

I dance with the other royalties, regulars and villains.

The last I dance with is my father the King of Pevanshire.

"Happy birthday," he greeted while the spotlight is focused on us. "You're all grown up now" he emotionally said. "But you're still my baby, in here." He pointed his left chest.

"Thank you, Daddy." I said when we finished our dance.

I made a speech in front of everyone to thank them for coming, before I left them and went to the garden.

I looked around but I can't see where he is. Maybe he tricked me?

"Behind you," I held my chest as I felt horses running there before I turned around and meet his gaze.

"H-Hi!" I pretend that I'm feeling okay to face him suddenly.

"Hello," he said and walked towards me. "Let's sit?" He grabbed my hand and pulled me until we reached at the swings.

"Where's your gift?" I awkwardly asked.

Nakaupo ako sa duyan habang siya ay nakatingin sa akin at nakatayo sa harapan ko.

"Ito," iniabot niya sa akin ang kulay lilang kahon.

"At ano naman ang laman nito?" Takang tanong ko nang kunin ko ang regalo niya. Nang buksan ko ay isang Agnos na kulay ginto at hugis puso.

"My picture's already there inside that locket," Nakangiting aniya saka hinawakan ang magkabilang balikat ko at sapilitan akong itinayo. 

He looked deep into my eyes as if he's reading my emotion. His eyes settled on my lips.

He leans down his head as he held my face and captured my lips. I was shock at the sudden move that he did. He started moving slowly, and I'm still stunned, but after seconds I decided to copy his movements,

"You can also put yours there, beside my picture," he whispered between our kisses.

The way his lips move against mine, it feels heaven. And so I return the movements that he does.

I never experienced to be kissed before; I'm all new to this. Yet I found myself pulling him closer, with my arms encircling around his neck. I heard him groaned; I bet he liked what I did.

He pushed the back of my head with pressure that deepens our kiss. But I couldn't take it anymore. I'm getting out of breath.

I pulled away and he just let me, he rests his forehead on mine as we both catch our breaths. I smiled while still panting heavy, he just grinned that shows his pair of dimples.

I hope that things will never end, and just be sweet and romantic. But life is not just about being in a sweet or romantic situation, it's also about falling on your knees, earn lesson from it and bring it to what awaits you.

"A... Ahh I'll go na!" Dali-dali kong tinakpan ang mukha ko saka tumakbo papunta sa loob ng palasyo.

I lean myself on the wall while I'm catching my breath.

What was that?!

"Where's Athaliah?!" I heard my dad's voice so I walked towards them, he's with my mom. Nagulat ako nang hawakan niya ang magkabilang balikat ko. "Your crown was stolen!"

Ano raw?!