Beautiful Stranger

I opened my eyes only for them to meet a pair of metallic gold eyes. My breath hitched for some unknown reason. It was a man of about 18 years just like Zarek. Half his face was covered with a mask. He had long raven black hair that looked like black silk, his golden eyes were like the sun - an unusual color. This stranger, there was something different about him. He had the guts to even hold a princess like that, no one was allowed to do such a thing. Holding a princess like that was not something usual but he did it anyway. Who was he?

"Be careful, My Lady"

"T-thanks"

"I'll see you later, My Lady"

He bowed and left. Why was my heartbeat at such a fast pace? My heart was beating as if it was going to jump out it's cage.

"Isn't that man so muscular?" Alicia whispered into my ear.

"Shh. Let's go"

I said and we walked to the hall.

"The fourth princess has arrived" The announcer said

I walked into the hall and it went silent. Everyone's eyes were on me. They were boring holes on my skin with their eyes. I walked to where my father was. He was at the far end of the hall.

"King Father, Liveth Longeth" I said curtsying.

"Rise" He said.

I did as instructed.

"You look just like your mother" He murmured.

I heard him perfectly but I'm not sure he knew.

"We are here, gathered for the ceremony of the fourth princess, my last daughter and the only child of I and my late wife Xenia Thyra Astaseul, she is Princess Xeraphina Luna-Nyx Astaseul" Father announced.

Everyone cheered. My father left me and went to talk to the ministers and dukes of different dukedoms.

I went to my seat and looked around the vast hall. After sometime of sitting there, someone came to meet me. It was that gold eyed stranger.

"Princess Xeraphina, this is for you" He said.

It was a silver rose. It was found only at the highest mountain in Antronia. How did he even get it? It was extremely beautiful.

"T-thanks"

He didn't let me take it, he put it in my hair and it blended ever so perfectly with my hair.

"May I have this dance, Princess Xeraphina?" He asked offering his hands.

Wait, the first dance was preserved for I and Father but if I reject his hand, it will be considered rude.

"Okay" I said.

I accepted his hands.

He guided me to the dance floor and everyone's eyes were on us. The music started and we also started dancing. He was an extremely good dancer and when he twirled me I felt like I was flying. When our eyes met, it felt like he was looking straight into my soul. Later the music stopped and we stopped dancing.

"Oh, Prince Lukyan Indulf Desai, what a pleasant surprise. You are welcome to Jennosia"

W-w-what??!? Prince Lukyan Indulf Desai?!? He is the last Prince of Antronia, the one rumoured to be the reincarnated devil. I shivered and felt a chill run down my spine. I just danced with the devil man. Everyone knows about him and he is feared by everyone.

"Oh, King Edward. Greetings" He said giving a nod to father.

Everyone gasped including me. Is he trying to be disrespectful? Everyone knows a low bow and curtsy is rendered to the king. I looked at father and I knew he was thinking the same. His hands were balled into a fist.

"You actually came. You even stole my daughter's first dance"

"Oh her first dance was with you?" Lukyan asked.

Everyone knows that. I accepted just so I wouldn't appear rude.

"Did you know and just decided to ignore it?"

"You could say that" He said smirking proudly.

"Hmm"

"I'll take your leave, Kung Edward" He turned towards me and kissed the back of my hand."See you later, Princess"

Just like that he left

I was beyond shocked at what had just happened. The party went on nicely and later I went to my quarters. I took a bath again, wore my night dress and went to bed.