ONE

The maids run helter scatter as they search the whole palace almost tearing it down with the sound of their footsteps they were all thrown into chaos as they search the whole palace for the princess it was an important day in the palace and the sixth princess who was supposed to take the speech was nowhere to be found as the king's favorite she has been honored with the task of representing the royal family at the royal initiation ceremony in which every other important royal families will be present but just few minutes to the event the princess was missing and no one has any idea where she is, the royal family gathered in the big room waiting for news of the princess the king looked very worried something might have happened to his beloved daughter he was blessed with seven daughters from his seven wives but he has loved his fourth concubine the most since she was the only one who bear him a son so this love was transferred to her two children but the king has always love the sixth princess most because of her outspoken behavior and has chosen her instead of the first princess to take the initiation ceremony of the prince, few hours back she was in her room preparing but then her maids came to inform them that the princess was missing although the palace was big enough the princess couldn't have lose her way in the palace she lives in

"Am sure this is just a drama of hers to gain attention from father again" one of the princesses whispered with a sneer

"The sixth princess has always been mischievous and an attention seeker I wonder what scheme she's planning this time" another whispered to the first

"What if something has actually happened to her?" Emma asked concerned about the situation she's the seventh princess

"Huff, nothing could have possibly happen she's just want to ruin things for her younger brother" another princess said aloud for everyone in the room to hear the king gave her a glare and all kept quiet

"Boston, any news yet?" the king asked the head of his guards

"Am sorry my king we are trying our best to find her" he apologized

"The ceremony is about to begin what should we do?" the queen asked the king and he sighed without no choice he asked the third princess to take over the task and she accepted with a big smile on her face

"yes father I won't disappoint you" she spoke for the first time since all the chaos about the princess started she smile satisfactory to herself, thanks to her fast thinking her desire has been achieved.

Down in a secluded place, Claire lay on the floor with her hands and legs bonded together she slowly open her eyes and scan the place she was in, minutes ago she was in her room practicing her speech and then one of her maid brought her something to drink she drank it and…

She wanted to get up from the floor but it was a bit difficult since she was tied down like an animal waiting to be slaughtered "hello! Anyone here?" she shouted but got no answer

She struggle with the rope but it won't budge she look around for anything that would help her seeing nothing she started to roll herself on the ground to the place where she saw a dim of light after so much struggling she got to an entrance she breath in and out to catch her breath she start another round of rolling till she got out of the place to an open area she look around and saw that she was still somewhere in the palace she heard the sound of music from afar, the ceremony must have started she thought she look around again for someone or something to help but there was none she resign feeling exhausted from all the rolling she has been doing, she can't give up now she encourage herself and made a roll again then she felt something on the ground she turn to see what it was "shoes?"

She look up to see to see a man in a dashingly suit with his hands in his pocket she didn't have a chance to see the face clearly she wonder who it could be

"Can you untie me please?"

The stranger waited a second before bending down to her level he stare at her trying to figure out who she was he had this babyish look that Claire thought he would at least be in his early twenties he looks younger than her and isn't wearing a royal robe maybe he's one of the entourages who came for the ceremony

"Hello mister can you please untie me?" she asked again a little louder

Michael stare at the woman in front of him he wondered why she's being tied down like this studying her dress she doesn't look like a commoner or a maid, even with the dirt all over her body, her beauty was obvious he hesitated in helping her not sure if she's a criminal trying to escape from the palace, seeing the look on his face Claire knew at once was he was thinking "am not a criminal okay am a princess am just in this state because someone played a trick on me just help and my father will reward you" she explained and watch him

He brought out a small pocket knife from his pocket and cut the rope with it he held out his hand to help her up after she got up her smile at him feeling grateful

"Thank you stranger if you can tell me your name I will have my father reward you"

"Who are you and why were you tied up?" he asked ignoring her question

"You look so cute and handsome just my type of man" she said admiring the man in front of her

Michael was a bit taken but quickly snap out of it he felt amused by the lady on front of him "shouldn't you be a bit restrain as a princess? Complimenting a man like that isn't what a princess do, am I wrong?"

"Because am special?" she said making a cute smiling face at him, he gave a small laugh and Claire also laugh with him

"So you here for the ceremony?" she asked dusting the dust off her clothes

"Yes and you still haven't told me why a whole princess is being tied up?"

"Why are you here then?" she asked ignoring the last part of his words

"To save you?"

"Well thanks for saving me then" she said and gave a funny bow "I hate to leave but I must, see you another time handsome savior" she said and walk away, she turn back to him again this time her smile was gone "why not come watch a little drama?" she suggested and walk away from the place

Michael gaze followed her as she walk away although he wasn't sure if she was telling the truth about her identity he felt good talking to her though he prefers restrained woman but she wasn't bad and he love her sense of humor, he wonder what she meant by drama, he resume his walk with a thought of the lady in his mind.

A ballet music played in the background and the people let their body flow to the rhyme of the music, the royal families sat at the high table and smile at the guests in the hall, Princess Zoey's smile was the brightest she has always wanted to do this standing in front of the people both royals and commoners to show them what she's got and now it's happening although Claire planned the whole event she will be the one to take all the glory now and after that she will be recognize by the king for her outstanding duty as a princess

Although King Josh was smiling and keeping a cool face he was worried internally there's still no news of the princess whereabouts the chief guard came over and whispered that the princess has been found, seeing the king's face lightened up with relief in it the members of the royal family knew the sixth princess has been found, Zoey quickly call one of her maid to find out the situation of things it almost time for the princess's speech and she can't let Claire spoil things for her just as her maid was about to leave the room the door fling wide open the people in the hall turned their attention to the entrance curious to see what was going on "everyone please welcome her highness, princess Claire the sixth princess of Aither" everyone eyes became fixed on the door as they wait eagerly to see the sixth princess not that everyone love her that much but she has quite the reputation she was the most favored and beautiful of all the seven princess in the kingdom.

In a royal purple dress mixed with a trail of pink colour, the dress look like one of a kind as it sleeps it way down to her waist showing off the elegant posture of her waist she has the preeminent appearance, with a beautiful crown on her head Claire walk graciously inside the room her eyes fixed she kept a stony face which made her look more appealing to the people her beauty was sure rarest in the whole kingdom her golden brown hair fall down to her waist as she swing them graceful with her as she walk in in a magnificent style with a maid helping her with her dress behind her she stopped in front of her father and bowed to him, king Josh had a big smile on his face as he expected she has left everyone speechless with her beauty which outshines all, the audience start talking among themselves marvel at the beauty in front of them she has really proved the rumors about her being the most beautiful lady to be true, the other princesses look unhappy at the attention she was having to herself some of them show their displeased on their face as they watch as everyone in the hall praise the sixth princess.

Claire after greeting the important royal family in the hall she made her way to her seat near the other princesses she stood in front of Zoey who was sitting on the seat presently and gave a little smile in respect "Zoey you can leave my seat now am back" she said calmly

Zoey look at her with scorn she wasn't ready to move a muscle from there she look like she was ready to have a fist with her the other princesses divert their attention to the two "do you want to leave or should I force you to?" she asked the smile no longer there

"Father already told me to take this position and you have no right to ask me to leave" she bluntly refuse

"I was thinking of asking you to leave my seat only but it looks like I will also ask you to leave the hall as well"

"Who do you think you are to ask me to leave here? You are nothing but a concubine's daughter who seduce the king shamelessly…"

Without allowing her finish her words Claire raise her hand up and slap her across the face causing everyone at the hall a great shock the press start to take pictures of them flashing their lights on them the whole room turn to them shocked at the scene the princesses were also shock so is the king, Zoey held her face as she felt the slap she just received she look back at her furious and with a killer gaze "why? Are you scared to slap me back? You were running your mouth a little moment ago"

Zoey look around her and saw the people watching her if she was to retaliate now everyone would think bad of her action and this may leave her with a bad reputation after the ceremony but doing nothing also will make her look like a weakling and a fool who gets easily bullied by her sister, she calm down herself and change her countenance to a remorseful look

"Sister you could have just told me to leave your seat for you, I was only keeping it since you ran away from the ceremony and didn't show up I was only trying to help sister"

Claire scoff at the act she knew Zoey has always been a drama queen always trying to spoil her before the people and has always envy her status in the palace and besides no one else except her would have benefited from her disappearance right before the ceremony

"Is that why you kidnapped me right before the initiation ceremony, just to help me or to take my place?" she asked her raising her voice for the audience to hear

"You have no evidence to prove I did that, and besides why would I hurt my sister?" she replied still appealing to self-pity

"Because you are jealous of me and want my position to yourself and why would you ask me for a proof when you are innocence and know nothing"

The people watch the drama with murmuring amongst their selves it looks like a big tiff between both princesses the press did not hesitate to take pictures of the happening

King Josh after seeing what this could be all about went over to stop the fight along with his queen "please ladies can we leave this till after the party?" he said his voice lower than ever

"Not until she leaves the hall" she insisted her raising her voice

King Josh look at Zoey who stare back at him not believing what was happening, she was actually being sent out of the hall because of Claire, with fury she gave her a last glare and left the room with her maids trailing after her Claire walk to her seat with the aid of a maid as she sat gracefully with pride obvious in her eyes.

Amused than ever Michael watch the drama in the hall, it was a good thing to have come back to the hall he had left because he wasn't interested in royal ceremony like this being a prince wasn't something he admires and that is why he has chosen the business world which seems more appealing to him, he never had a like for things or event like this but today he was forced to come here because of his father, it's the initiation of the crown prince and Aither being a powerful kingdom than Silverbell he has to be his present at the ceremony

Seeing her now in her royal wears she look really attractive and irresistible and just like he expected her beauty outshines although she has a gentle and innocent look she seems to be rough lady without no restraint and the pride she possesses as the most favored princess is so evident in her actions it would be a hard thing taming her to succumb although this was a task given to him by his father which he really never had interest in but seeing the lady he seems interested in this mission if he had known back then that she was the princess he came here for he would have made his move back then but it is never too late for him he just need to plan carefully and ensure his marriage to her before the ceremony ends.

When it was time to give her speech, Claire make sure there was no mistake and impress the audience with a best speech everyone applauded her and she gave a big smile to appreciate the audience, next the main ceremony which was the initiation took place, Prince Caleb was crowned the crown prince of Aither kingdom everyone hailed and wish the crown prince a long life after the prince gave his speech it was time for merriment as the people enjoy meet together and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Claire excused herself from the room and walk out with her two maids following after her "which one of you drugged my drink?" she asked and stop moving, turning to face the two behind her

They both look down not giving a response, Claire got angry at this and yell at them "are you both deaf?"

"You are both going to spend a long time in the prison" she promised them

"Isn't that too harsh? You are not even sure they are the culprit yet"

Michael walk up to her with his hands in his side pocket seeing him now he doesn't really look that babyish but he's still kind of cute and handsome "am sorry to intervene I just felt it's too harsh on the young ladies" he saw her leaving the hall and has followed after her

"We see each other again handsome savior" she said delighted her expression change from an angry face to a cheery expression

"Yes I guess it is fate" he said more cheerful

"I don't believe in fate" she told him bluntly

He gave a small laugh amused again by her other princess will have readily agree with him "can we hang out together just the two of us?" he requested

She nodded with a smile and turn to face the two maiden still standing "make sure you inform my father am with…" she turn to him for a help with that

"Michael, Prince Michael"

"Prince Michael" she told them and ask them to leave

"So you are a Prince?"

"Why don't I look like one?"

"No, just didn't realize it the first time we met" she explained and he nodded at her, they got to one the rooms in the palace and both decide to stay there to have sometimes together they ask for a bottle of wine to be brought and drink as they talk about different things after a while the two begin to feel drowsy at first they thought it was because of the wine they took but after sometimes they realize something was actually wrong with them after struggling for a while Claire gave in to sleep as she lay on the bed in the room

Michael went over and cover her up he stare at her admiring the beautiful lady in front of him suddenly he felt a desire but quickly push it off, apart from the fact that she's a princess and needs to be respected Michael doesn't feel like hurting the beauty resting in front of him even though the desire he was feeling now is against that thought, he lie down next to her and watch her sleep after few minutes he also fall asleep beside her putting his hand across her body as they both enjoy the night sleep.