The First Miss of Esquello

MWF: 8

"Shall we join them, milady?" Prince Leon said and then guided me down the stairs. 

The moment we arrived at the ball everything stopped from the music to the chattering of nobles, they all gasp from the sight of us. Did it really surprise them for a 10 year old to bring a prince?

"Do you know how to dance?" I jokingly said to him as we made our way to the dance floor. 

He glared at me which made me chuckled, he clapped his hands and then the music began again, he my hands and started the dance which I followed.

He's wearing his official knight attair which is the attair that he wears every occasion in front of the Imperial Family, its the attair that shows all his medals. It's a black color with gold and blue details.

As eyes were on us as my dress swirled with us and my hair was swaying with the jewels and pearls as well. My black hair made the jewels and pearl stand out like stars of the night.

As soon as we stopped, the room was filled with compliments and claps. I could feel a fiery glare from my back which I suspects from my dear sister.

"Where do you wish to go, milady?" Prince Leon asked me as we made our way out of the center, I was thinking of going somewhere less crowded but I wanted to annoy my dear step mother and half sister more.

"Can we go to my family?" I said and looked up to him, the prince is only 16 years old but he has gained a title in the knights as a prodigy. He had his coming of age ceremony a month ago.

"Do you know where they are?" He asked me and looked around for the Duke. 

"Yes" I said and held his hand towards the way where the glare I've been feeling this whole time is at.

We just passed a few people then I saw my father talking to someone who's quite similar with Prince Leon's look. I was about to say my hello to father when the guy he's talking with turned to us. 

I stopped from getting near and stared back at him but then Prince Leon nudge me and whispered to me. 

"That my brother, the crown prince" he whispered to me then bowed.

"Greetings to the Crown Prince and Duke Esquello" he said after bowing, I did the same as well. 

Good thing that Prince Leon said it before I was accused of being shameless towards the Imperial Family.

"I did not know that my brother now learns how to attend a high society party" the crown prince said as if spitting venom to Prince Leon's face. Now I think I know why Prince Leon doesn't want to be a prince.

"My lady here wishes to attend, how can I decline?" Prince Leon answered which made the smirk in the Crown Prince's face fade and turn into a frown.

"Well, what's the name of the lady, Knight?" then the Crown Prince turned to me and smiled, what a two faced. 

Now that with their conversation, I think I know why the Prince Crown is bitter towards Prince Leon. The Second Prince of the Imperial Family is considered a prodigy since birth unlike the First Born who's only known for his looks. 

Because of that, the Emperor planned to make the Second Prince as the Crown Prince but many disagree with that because the policy was every first born of the Imperial Family shall be the Crown Prince unless the first born has died.

That the reason why the Emperor wanted the First Prince dead but the Second Prince heard that and protected the First Prince by neglecting the duty as a prince and then became a knight. But why does the now Crown Prince loathes Prince Leon so much?

"My name is August Esquello, Your Imperial Highness" I bowed and gracefully tried to maintain my composure.

"Well then, I shall greet the other guests" the Crown Prince said and then walked pass me. How annoying, I think I know someone with the similar attitude.

"August" father called out to me, maybe he never expected me to show up with the Secod Prince who neglected his duties.

"Father" I smiled at him and made my eyes wonderm the Mistress and Sir Ceao is not here. He's only with the Second Miss, who looks like she's killing me inside her head.

"How did you meet Sir Leon, August?" father asked as Prince Leon is only following me behind.

"We met a few years ago in the hidden household, father" I said and got myself and Prince Leon a flute of wine.

"Thank you, milady" Prince Leon said.

As far as I could remember the Emperor ordered to have Prince Leon's title taken away and with that he can never be called Prince again. Not unless there's no one hearing you call him prince.

"Where is the Mistress, father?" I asked as I looked around, their not on sight. The Second Miss isn't saying anything the whole time, she's just glaring at me.

"She must be at her function's table" he answered, I nodded and said to him that I'll go look for the Mistress. He agreed but told me that I need to be quick because he needs to introduce me officially to the Empire. 

"Do you know where's that function?" I asked Prince Leon as I looked around.

"It must be in the room right before the door leading to the garden" he answered then held my hand and guided me towards the said room.

He was right because right because the moment he knocked at the door, the Mistress opened it. She was suprised at first but she let us in.

"I didn't know that the late Duchess was able to deliver her child well" the Marquess said while sipping her tea, I'm just here quietly as I just ate my crackers while Prince Leon is just behind me.

"Tonight, she will be introduced officially by the Duke and the reason she was hidden" the Mistress said which made the others giggled. 

"I shall take my leave now, Mother. Father must be looking at me" I said and stood up maintaining my grace as Prince Leon helped me like a real gentleman.

As soon as we left the room, I could feel the pressure has been lifted from my shoulders. 

"You must be tired from all this people" I know what 'people' Prince Leon's saying. 

"Yes, very much but I still need to be introoduce officially so I can secure my play" I said and smirked at him. 

"Yes, yes. You're still the lady 4 years ago" he laughed as if something was really funn, if I would remind him he also left me to be killed by that bandit!

"Let us return" I said and left him out there. 

As soon as I've returned, father then officially introduced me to the Emperor and the whle high society and told them the whole reason for my disappearance for the whole 10 years from the Imperial Capital.