It was time for my official debut. Every princess was expected to be announced on her 16th birthday in order to meet new suitors. My father, King Leopold, was waiting patiently at the entrance to the ballroom.
" You look beautiful, Princess Lilliana". the voice came from my trusted maid, Elizabeth. I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn't help but smile. For the first time, I looked like a princess. I was wearing a royal blue gown stitched with sapphires and diamonds, matching blue gloves stretched up my arms. Underneath this Princess facade, I was hiding a lot, inside I was broken but now that part of me had to stay hidden.
"His majesty, the King has ordered me to present you with this gift before you are to be announced". Elizabeth's hands stretched out towards me, holding a blush velvet box. I gently caressed the fabric before lifting the lid and gasped in shock. The box was lined with a plush satin pink fabric and rested atop the cushion was a sparkling silver Tiara embedded with blue sapphires and a matching necklace and ring.
15 minutes later, I was walking down the marble corridor to where my father stood waiting at the end.
"Your highness," I bowed "Good evening. Thank you for the lovely presents father. Is it time to enter?" I asked.
"Princess Lilliana, Thank you for being on time. We are just about ready for you now. Remember what I told you daughter. Stand tall, greet everyone in the ball as you would me. I will share your first dance and after that you may dance with whichever suitor takes your fancy. Now let's go". At this point, he nodded to the guards at either side of the door to open the ballroom. We were stood at the top of an ivory staircase with gold accents running along the bannister. Silver chandeliers hung down from above our heads and the guests were all looking at us expectantly.
"I would like to announce to the noble people of our country, first Princess Lilliana Maria of Goldcrest". Father nodded once more and the people of the ballroom bowed down. As I started my descent of the staircase with my father, I could see a young man no older than 19 years of age in the middle of the crowd. He's piercing blue eyes and short brown hair caught my attention immediately and as we locked eyes, I saw the man wink at me with a dangerous smirk on his face. My heart immediately fluttered in my chest and I could feel my cheeks getting redder. At the bottom of the staircase we were greeted by father's friends, some faces i remembered from council meetings and others from fathers mysterious monthly excursions in which he would disappear for weeks at a time. The first man to speak was Duke William Catering of Goldcrest. He introduce himself to me and I curtseyed before offering my hand to him as a gesture of politeness. He told me and father of his son, Charles who was in line for dukedom. Almost on cue, a boy my age with long blonde hair and emerald green eyes stepped forward and bowed, first to father and then to me.
"Your highness, King Leopold. Greetings and thank you for inviting us tonight. Your majesty, Princess Lilliana. You look wonderful, the dress matches your eyes perfectly." He took my hand and kissed the back gently. Duke William went on to explain that his son was of marrying age and searching for a woman such as myself to court and marry. Father decided that I was not to be included in the conversation and that I should mingle with the guests. I was thankful for the escape and headed out to the balcony. Looking out I could see the veranda, decorated with honeysuckle and roses, red and white. I had my back to the stairs into the garden and didn't see a handsome man with sapphire blue eyes and short brown hair creep up behind me, until he whispered in my ear, "Your beauty exceeds that of a rose but I can't pass up the opportunity". As I turned I saw him, the same man who had so casually winked at me earlier. Up close he was even more handsome that imaginable but his part of his face was covered with a gold mask so that only his deep blue eyes and plump lips were visible.
"Princess Lilliana, I am Leon of Vannalia. It is a pleasure to be in your presence. A gift, if you accept.". He held out a single blue rose, the colour of his eyes and bowed his head to me.
"Leon, please call my Lilly. I do not care for formality when not in the presence of father. Thank you, the rose is beautiful." Before I could finish speaking, Leon had pulled me close to him and placed the rose in my hair. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest, butterflies in my stomach as I looked at this man, who could've given his rose to anyone but chose me.