Daughter Of A Slave

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"Greetings, Your Majesty" Orchid greeted with a low bow. King Gabriel smiled at her and then at the two gentlemen before him

"My daughter, Orchid. The third princess of Atlank" King Gabriel introduced

"Greetings, crown prince Rudolf" Orchid said with a bow and Rudolf seem to be lost staring at her, his blue eyes flashing in astonishment. He never thought of the third princess to possess such beauty. She look enchanting

And then, her eyes went to the other gentleman who seemed to be the Prince. Her eyes widened in surprise stumbling across the familiar face. It was the stranger at the forest

His black hair looked shorter than when she saw him. She got lost in the shimmering grey eyes of the Prince

"The princess doesn't seem to know me. Let me introduce myself, Prince Ciaran. We met-"

"I know you, Prince Ciaran..." Orchid cut in and glanced at her father before looking back at the Prince

"Crown prince Rudolf. Greetings" Neera said with a bow and a wide smile that reached her eyes

"Happy birthday, princess Neera" Crown prince Rudolf said and returned her smile

"Let's have a sit" Greta, her step mother said and they all sat down in the royal table, watching the female dancers entertaining the guests

Soon, the slow music started and couples could been seen going on the dance floor

"Can I have this dance, princess" Orchid stared at prince Ciaran's outstretched hand and then at his face, she didn't want to have anything to do with the prince, his gaze was intimidating and dangerous but then again, the royal etiquette. It would be rude for her to refuse the hand of a gentleman who asks for a dance

She took his hand and once her hand touched his, he tightly gripped it tightly and helped her up

Neera anticipated the Crown prince to do the same and she eagerly stared at him

Rudolf eyes were fixated on the third princess and his brother who walked up to the dance floor. He had come to like the third princess at a glance

He then shifted his attention to the second princess and asked her for a dance

*

At the dance floor...

Orchid slowly placed her hand on his shoulder and he held her other hand. With gentle movement, he held her waist and shoved her towards him. She boldly met his eyes and he softly smiled

Her brown eyes staring into his dangerously grey ones

"I see you took care of your hand" he started a conversation

"Someone told me not to go around bleeding. I took his advice" she said and her eyes went to his hair that had gotten pint-sized

"Right. I did cut my hair" he stated and her eyes went to his again

"I never asked"

"Yes. But your gaze says it all, princess "

"What is it that you want, Prince Ciaran? What is your reason for approaching me?"

"Me? I simply wanted to have a dance with a nice lady and you happened to be my pick. Is that reason enough?"

"I'm not convinced"

"Hmm, okay. There's something about you, princess. That I can't quite figure out yet" his head went to rest besides hers as he followed the slow music, their steps were slow and graceful "I think I'm interested in you, princess"

Interested in me? Does he mean that...Orchid shook her head to distract herself from having useless thoughts

"Why would prince Ciaran be interested in me? I am merely the daughter of a slave"

"You think of yourself that way? Still, I don't think that's reason enough for me not to be interested"

Orchid opened her lips to say something but then, the music came to an end

"It was a pleasure having to dance with you, princess" the prince bowed and so did Orchid before they walked down to their seats

Neera beamed with excitement as she sat down with Rudolf by her side, she was happy she got to dance with him

"Go on, dear. Make a speech" Greta urged and Neera excitedly stood up and went on stage

"Good day and thank you all for being here. I would like to express my gratitude to my one and only sister, Brenda and my parents for making this joyful celebration. I think this is the best party I have had in all my years as a princess. Thank you all for being part of it"

She didn't include Orchid in her speech, not that she mind. She wasn't actually looking forward to anything