ANASTASIA

"princess, please listen to me".

I kept on running through corridors that were filled with the colorful curtains embellishing beautifully designed pillars on this floor. crossing six-seven rooms, I turned to my right entering another corridor which leads to stairs to reach the lower floor, where I could find my father, easily. I could easily imagine him listening to the cases of people one by one, sitting on the throne in all his glory.

"you can't catch me, Barbara."

I was laughing and jumping through the corridors, ignoring all the guards who are looking at me. Cheerfulshrieks and laughter were echoing in these big hallways.

I looked back and saw no one. Barabara must haven gotten tired. She should understand that being in the late forties, she couldn't match my high pace and especially when I am looking for my father.

"lord stephen, move aside."

I shirked at the commander standing infront of me whith one hand on his waist while other hand holding strong stick. He was looking at me with merriment in his eyes. When he didn't move, I stooped there and stood panting.

"Good evevning, Sunshine." I bowed in rush while

"Good evening,Lord Stephen." while spreading my long gown with forced smile on my face.

"May I know, why there is soo much noise echoing in the corridors?"

"Ohh, Please don't waste your precious time by thinking about source of noise. First, help me.

He laughed and put both of his hands on his waist.

"Now, now what can I do for my lady?"

I smiled mischievously. "save me, from Barabara. She is trying to lectur me again. You know, how they bother me." Lord Stephen laughed while I looked back to see if, Barabara was coming and she was. I looked at the commander with pleading eyes.

"Please don't let her scold me."

"But, you always care for what she says princes." I sighed and smiled nervously at him.

"Of course, I understand she says, she understands me too."But, in this matter, She always have to chide on this subject whenever there is an occasion."

When I heard the steps of Barabara my eyes widened. I hod behind the commander form my lady-in-waiting.

"Barabara"

"Stephen"

I could imagine Barbara gretting his brother with polite smile. I know she can see me easily. But, I am taking support from Lord stephen.

Barabara and Stephen are at same age. Once Barabara told her that they are working here for many and their parents used to serve my grandfathers.

"Stephen, I wouldn be delighted if you, let me talk to her."

Stephen looked turned his head to look at my side ways and then turned to Barabara. " The lady, behind me requested me to send refusal to her dear Barabara. She says she will only go to her if Barabara stops lecturing about discipline again. Right , princes."

I was totally iriitaed by long way of addressing the Barabara. I don't adore those formalities. Well, They help you maintaing high class persons in grand functions. They mean nothing to me.

Barabara has always requested me to behave like a proper lady, walk like a princess, Speak like a true Queen. But me being a princess enthusiastic ally bouncing on my bed, mearrly speaking like a queen.

It's just her love for me, mine for her. She always requests me for those formalities though they never followed me. I have to become a good princess to make it upto her.

Even my parents used to get angry when ever is refused Barabara's requeste. They know she loves me as she loves her own daughter, lily. Coming out of thoughts, I answer tiredsomely. "yes, Lord stephen."

"Princess, you have to do this. if , you will not dress yourself gracefully on your birthday the who will?"

I stood beside lord Stephen. " Barabara, you know don't like to show off. I hate getting soo much attension."

Barabara huffed while Stephen laughed at my dumbed reaction. This old man like to laugh at any word comes from my mouth. Maybe, he adored me soo much like I adored his happy nature.

"It is your eighteenth birthday. You are not an ordinary girl but a princess of the valonia empire." She scolded by crossing her hands formally.

"But, we could just celebrate with just our loved ones. That's all. Why do they want to showcase me in front of all kingdoms, Barabara? I am not going to get ready. I reasoned with Barabara and loosened my shoulders.

Barabara sighed while lord Stephen shook his head with an amused smile on his face. "you are grown up, you have to behave like one."

I frowned at Barabara and turned on my heels. Before I could reach the grand hall to look for my father, I heard Barabara saying "Many princes are going to come, tonight. Why she looked charmed of that fact willingly?"

I ignored Barbar's comment and started running again. "Princess, Anastasia. Queen Diana will not be happy, seeing running in that manner.'

Baraba's duty is to make me wear that heavy, full, long gown for the ball organized by my father and I am really not happy with the idea of making me famous. He should have asked me before. There would be a lot of people, King and Queens, Prince and Princess.iwould be a target for the judgmental people.

I was twenty steps away from the grand hall but when I turned away from the hall but when I turned to look back at Barabarabut enthusiastic self suddenly bumped into someone. I looked at the handsome face with blue eyes.

"Whoa! Princess."That handsome is Lord Stephen's son, Neville Richardson. He is apprenticing his father in the army. He made into his father's heart with his hard work. Noticing our closeness, I moved back and looked at the floor mortified.

I quickly adjusted myself and shifted my gaze to him. I felt proud whenever I see him. His confidence and cheerful aura like a king was an inspiration to all young princes. he is also a sweet person I wonder how he balances his sweet nature with people at the same time he is also soo cruel to the criminals.

Suddenly, I was pulled out of my thoughts by the voice. " princess, Ohh Your Majesty

'Barabara is standing behind me one hand on her chest while other on her knees inhaling air greedily.

"Barabara, Why is my daughter is running from you?"He asked.

"Your Majesty, Princess is joyous to see the grand hall"

no matter, how much I troubled her, she had made excuses to save me from disappointing my parents. But my parents way to smart and know me always very well. They caught her whenever she lied. I waited for my father an obvious response.

"Barabara, you don't have to lie for her. I know my daughter is running from you because her highness does not want to attend the ball tonight and consequently, frighting or not she is dressing." my father said mockingly in his thick accent, making all soldiers and including Richardson chuckling at me. I was looking at the floor y cheeks turned rose in embarrassment.

Barabara apologized to my father for my careless behavior and roaming in the castle and for not getting ready for the ball. listing to her pleas, father gave me a soft look and said" you will be eighteen tonight, look at you all grown up. I want to think about your responsibilities. you need to be acquainted with the neighboring empires and their leaders. Everyone is pleasantly waiting to see you. After all, you're the princess of Valona empire.

" Father, I will be soo tired. it is exhausting to meet every single one in the party and also queens and king who is three times that of my age. Is it really important?" I asked him unfortunately, he nodded. I made a sad face standing beside my father.

"Anastasia, this is not the way of speaking to your father and of course, young lady. It is really important. I want my only daughter to get acquainted with all the princes. They are coming to see you and you are troubling Barbara." My mother looked at me with disappointment.

"it's purely fine, my Queen." Barabara gave me a pleading look to agree with my mother.myself, had ignored her fantasies.

" It's not right, Barbara. She should know that the ball has been Organised not to justshowing our proud faces to other Empires that the Princess of Valona is best of all the princesses and that having her in our life had never made us feel like we do not have son said looking into my eyes. I wasn't surprised seeing my mother's emotional play as she always had

ione these sentumental ways to get me agree to follow her orders.

"Mother, there will be a lot of people. What if

embarrass you both? I dont want to be thereason for your insults." I looked at the floor while saying softly.

Anastasia, you can never embarrass us.I

KnoW. you are our pride, Belive me, you

an never been reason our insults. Sometimes I feel, we are so fortunate to have Such a beautiful daughter. I am certain, you will find your love too." I blushed at my mother's word and looked at her with a

annoyed face. Go now, get all dressed up." She patted my shoulder making me pout.

1 turned to Barbara, who was nnally smimg

smiled tiredly and hooked my arm with hersas we both started walking."Anastasia daling, be ready in an hour." I could hear the soldiers

huckling.Barbara, this is too much.

"Princess Ana, dont be so annoyed. Barbara said looking at the mirror while I rolled .

No, my princess. No more whining, now. You look mesmerizing. I am sure, all the princes

down there will forget to breathe by a single

glance," she said laughingly and continued to say single prince would die to dance with a

beauty like you.

NoW wear this mask, .she gave it to me and I realised she was so it is soo light. The mask was really pretty as it had some sky blue feathers on it which matched my sky blue gown.bottom. The shimmery frock made it look more lovely.

Its sleeves were purposely long and wide, at elbow

where they were divided by a thick graceful fitting up to make the dress go round, making

Barbara squealing in happiness.

"The mask makes this complete." Barbara complimented while clapping her hands cheerlly.Seeing this Barbara grabbed my hand with a warm smile. without any word, we both

entered room and started walking to the hall

that secretly lead to the grand hall where

masquerade ball was being held. I had this nervousness rising in my neart as

we were are getting closer to the stars that would

directly reach to King and Queen's throne.Princess, don't be nervous.

The whole celebration is for you only. Every one of valorna has come to have a singie glance

at only Princess Anastasla.

people had bought gifts for me and was enough to boost me, decrease my nervousness. I made a note to meet every famly down there."I am excited to see their actions of all the Kings and Queens whe they will see you. They have come to wish

you, princess. " Barbara chided.

kingand be the queen ofsomehow getting positive feeling finally. I would have slipped anytime on these stairs if my two darling maids hadn't hold my long

skirt of the dress.

"Princess, I have heard about the presence

of so many princes and Kings here. I am

assuming. you might meet your prince

charming, tonight," she said looking vibrant

while I widen my eyes in annoyance.

"God, Barbara. No more sayings about

Princes." I blinked with an awkward huff.

"My princess, believe me. You are the star of

the night and no doubt, there will be lot of

them. You might find him, the special one,"

she reasoned.

"Barbara, you are being delusional. I am

clueless about courting any one or the special

one which is really far. I assure you, I am only

doing this for my people, not to lay eyes on the

bachelors, down there."

I saw her face turning sad."Fine. But I believe my god. He will fulfill my wishes. So get ready to meet your Prince Charming." Barbara chirped and I shook my head listening to her.We had finally reached the secret entrance to the grand hall.

The entrance lead us to the

stairs which would help me in stepping like a

queen and then to King and Queen's throne.

Perfect Place for my Royal Entry. I walked

ahead with Barbara, praying for the last time

in my heart.Hope, this night goes well.