what is your name?

As I stood before the Crown Prince, I knew that my game was over.

The princess's outburst had already condemned me in the eyes of the royal family, and I was well aware that I had to tread carefully.

"What is your name?" the Crown Prince asked, his voice low and commanding.

I looked down at his shiny shoes, feeling a sense of deference wash over me. "Elara," my voice came back, which I think I had lost the moment when I apologize and I got slapped.

The Crown Prince's expression was unreadable. But I wondered what he was thinking, whether he was already judging me based on the princess's words?

******

After what the princess had presented to him, I hadn't expected the Crown Prince to just dismiss me and Jacob like that. But I was glad that it was over now; at least I hadn't received another slap from the Crown Prince. The thought of becoming famous in my town for being the first person to be slapped by both royal children, Princess Florence and the Crown Prince, was not exactly appealing

As I walked away, the whispers and murmurs of the crowd grew louder. But I didn't care; I had already imagined this scenario when I got slapped. I knew that everyone had seen it now, and they wouldn't just ignore it.

I didn't look back, didn't dare to glance over my shoulder. Instead, I focused on putting one foot in front of the other, making my way through the crowd without drawing any more attention to myself.

My steps finally stopped in front of Misses Mathron. She came running to me and hugged me tight. Lily clung to me, tears streaming down her face. "I thought you'd be thrown in jail, or worse!" she whimpered.

Jacob hugged both of us, his tears finally breaking free. "I'm sorry, Elara! I'm sorry!" He sobbed.

I sighed. "Hey, hey... it's okay. Calm down..." I looked at Misses Mathron. Her eyes were filled with worry and gratitude.

"You did well, Elara," she said. "I'm proud of you. And you too, Jacob. No more running, alright?" She ruffled Jacob's hair affectionately.

Jacob nodded. "I won't... I promise. I am sorry, sister." He looked at me with pleading eyes.

I wiped away his tears. "It's okay, my pumpkin... it's over now."

Lily sniffled, wiping away her tears. "Let's go home..." She looked up at me for approval.

"What about the prince?" she asked, her eyes widening with fear. "Do you think he will do something? Do you think he will have us arrested?"

"No brave man arrests their people for this silly mistake... now stop crying, you both," I replied, trying to reassure Lily and Jacob.

*********

As I turned to exite the ballroom with them, a man from earlier appeared in front of me, blocking my path. "Dance with me," he said, his voice low and commanding, like he was ordering a servant to fetch him a drink.

I rolled my eyes internally, because who did this guy think he was? Prince Charming? Newsflash: he wasn't. I looked up at him, taking in his chiseled features and piercing eyes. Oh, he was handsome, all right. But he was also clearly a spoiled rich kid who thought he could get away with anything.

And what was with the "dance with me" line? Did he really think I was just going to swoon at his feet and agree to dance with him? Please. I glanced back at Lily and Jacob, who were already heading towards the exit, blissfully unaware of the interruption. I knew I had to act quickly, before this guy made a scene.

But I was not going to let him get the better of me. I was not going to let him make a fool of me, not after what I had already been through. And especially not after the way he had asked me to dance, like he was doing me a favor by deigning to notice me.

I raised an eyebrow, looking him straight in the eye. "I'm afraid I'm not interested," I said, my voice cool and polite, with just a hint of sarcasm.

His eyes glinted with amusement as he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Come now, surely you can spare one dance?" He asked, his tone dripping with persuasion.

I shook my head, trying to extricate myself from the situation. "I need to go," I said firmly, but just as I turned to leave, Misses Marthon appeared out of nowhere.

"Oh no, dear, we can wait," she said with a wink, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You two go, have fun." And with that, she turned and walked away, Lily and Jacob in tow.

I was stunned. What was happening here? Couldn't she see that this was not the guy I wanted to spend time with? And yet, she was leaving me with him!

The mysterious guy suppressed a triumphant smirk, turning on the charm as he offered his arm to me. "Looks like you're stuck with me now," he said, his voice confident and smooth. "Shall we?" He gestured to the dance floor, his eyes glinting with amusement.

I gulped as I stepped back slowly, trying to think of a way to escape. "Look... I can't dance," I said, hoping that would be enough to deter him.

But his expression didn't change. His eyes crinkled at the corners, a sure sign that he was amused. "That's alright," he replied smoothly, "I'll lead. Just follow my steps."

**********

As we swayed to the music, I could feel the weight of all those stares and whispers. The grand ballroom, with its sparkling chandeliers and lavish decorations, seemed to fade into the background as I became acutely aware of the handsome stranger holding me close.

His piercing blue eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if daring me to look away. I felt a shiver run down my spine as his gaze intensified, his confidence and charm almost palpable.

I tried to break the spell, to remind myself that I didn't want to be here with him. "You don't seem like you dance in parties like this," I said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the butterflies in my stomach.

His eyebrows rose, and a small, enigmatic smile played on his lips. "Oh, I do," he drawled, his voice low and smooth, like honey dripping from a spoon. "When the right partner presents herself."

His gaze seemed to burn with an inner fire, his hand surprisingly gentle on mine as he smiled. His voice dropped to a near whisper, sending shivers down my spine. "And you, my dear, seem to be just that."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as he spun me gracefully, pulling me close. It was like he owned me, like I was his to command.

I tried to push him away, but he held me firm, his other hand on the small of my back. I was trapped, and I didn't like it one bit.

I gritted my teeth, trying to maintain my composure. This guy is impossible!

I chuckled, attempting to hide my growing annoyance. "Maybe it looks like that, but I think you're mistaking."

"Maybe I appear right, but turn out to be very wrong," I added, trying to convey a sense of warning.

But nothing seemed to affect him the way I wanted. His smirk only widened, and he spun me back around, his hands gripping my waist firmly. I felt a jolt of electricity at his touch, but I refused to acknowledge it.

"Is that so?" he asked, his eyes glinting with amusement.

I tried to stand my ground, despite the way my heart was racing. "It is," I spoke firmly. "I am totally different from you."

He laughs softly, his warm breath tickling my ear as he murmurs, "Different, you say? Or perhaps just... unexpectedly intriguing?" I chuckled, a hint of amusement dancing in my eyes. "Oh no, not that... you seem like you've never seen the outside world." A gentle smile played on my lips. "Not every different thing is intriguing, and I'm the big example of that."

As the music fades away, the dance comes to a close, and I step back, creating a subtle distance between us. I'm sure my words will be a strange concept for him to grasp, given his confidence and behavior. He exudes an air of self-assurance, as if he's never doubted himself. But I can say he still needs to learn which life have teaches me already.

His lips quirk into a small, enigmatic smile. He inclines his head slightly, a gesture of respect rather than deference. "You are a woman of many surprises, aren't you?" he murmurs, his voice low and thoughtful.

I chuckled, a hint of mischief sparkling in my eyes. "Of course I am. It's not like I'm a rich, spoiled kid like you." My tone was lighthearted, but my words held a hint of subtle rebuke. "Oh, is that so? Ah... what can I say?" I bowed my head, my words a polite acknowledgment of his comment. "Thank you for the unwanted dance."

He catches my wrist before I can fully withdraw, and I look back to find his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Unwanted... or just unexpected?" he asks, his voice low and teasing.

I try to roll my eyes, but his gaze is too intense. He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss that sends a shiver down my spine. I look away, trying to ignore the gaze of his, but it's like he's trying to hypnotize me or something.

"Mmm... whatever you name it," I reply, trying to sound nonchalant despite the butterflies in my stomach. I'm shocked by my own rudeness, but this guy is just too much.

He's been flirting with me all night, and now he's kissing my hand like we're in some kind of medieval romance novel. I mean, I know it's just a gallant kiss, a traditional sign of respect and discipline, but still.

I realize I need to salvage the situation before I come across as a total jerk. So, I do the only thing I can think of - I ask for his name.

"What is your name?" I ask, trying to sound polite.

He releases my wrist, his eyes searching mine as he smirks. "You'll find out."

I raise my eyebrows, intrigued despite myself. "Okay, nice to meet you, Mister 'You'll Find Out,'" I say with a smile, and then I walk away, leaving him to wonder what just hit him.

As I make my way back to searching for Misses Marthon and Jacob, I mentally facepalm.

Oh shit, my slippy tongue, I mutter to myself. I bite my upper lip, thinking about how hard I try to look polite but still can't help being my usual sarcastic self. Why can't I be serious for once?

I shake my head, chuckling wryly. Maybe I need to take classes on how to talk to noble people without putting my foot in my mouth.

Thank God he wasn't a prince or anything; otherwise, I'd probably be in prison for speaking my mind without thinking first.

__________