Befriending a werewolf King.

The night that changed everything for Princess Eloisa Touchstone, was the night of her debut as crown Princess to the Kingdom of Ensorland.

The ball that was held to announce Eloisa's coming of age was held at Touchstone Castle, guests from many different kingdoms came with their Princes, in hopes of Eloisa accepting a suitor. Ensorland's King, Kraven Touchstone only had one daughter, and no sons. Getting the princesses' favor was not going to be easy.

Eloisa was running late as she ran through the halls of Touchstone castle, she still wore some dirty training outfit that she was supposed to have changed out of hours ago.

Her long hair was a lovely shade of dark mahogany that bounced behind her in a braid, it was messy, and covered in twigs and leaves.

Her caramel skin was flushed, sweaty and covered in dirt. Not what a princess should look like on the day of her debut. But, Eloisa was trying to perfect her sword skills, instead of preparing for the ball.

"Crap crap crap… Mother is going to kill me!"
Eloisa dodged and darted past any servants of the castle as she sped her way to her bedroom, coming from a private courtyard where she did her training.

She rushed into her room, swinging the door back quickly and she rushed inside. Her honey colored eyes went wide as she almost plowed into the tall woman who stood in her room.

"Oh… Namida, what are you doing here?" Eloisa's voice cracked as she looked up at her.

The woman who stood above Eloisa at the height of 6'2 towered over the girls 5'6 frame.

Namida rolled her golden eyes and dragged Eloisa by her arm, slamming the door shut behind her she led her to the steaming bathtub near the dresser.

"You are late, princess. Now. Get out of those rags, and get washed up." Namida stood Eloisa by the bath and turned around to give her privacy.

Eloisa grumbled, hastily untying her training clothes and hopping into the tub, the hot water causing the girl to sigh as it felt great on her tired muscles. She started scrubbing herself in a rush as she looked at Namida.

Namida was wearing a mens styled suit with a cape that covered one of her shoulders. Even with the masculine attire, Namida had very nice curves accompanied by her muscular build.

She had short black coily hair, her skin was a lovely sepia color that was complemented by her entirely dark red attire. Eloisa hadn't even noticed she got distracted by looking at Namida, almost completely stopping her washing.

Namida's head slightly turned as she peeked over. Some of the scars on her face became visible. "Do you need me to wash you myself princess?" Her tone rang shivers down Eloisa's spine.

"N-no! I can do it!" Eloisa frantically cleaned herself.

Namida walked to grab a towel, holding it up she kept her intimidating gaze to the side so as to not look at the princess.

Eloisa rushed to wash herself and got out of the tub, taking the towel from Namida. She quickly worked on drying herself.

Namida stood by Eloisa's bedside. A lovely gown that was a soft yellow color laid upon the bed, covered in delicately placed crystals scattered upon the layered skirt. The top was a corset, with lovely draped sleeves that showed the shoulders.

As Eloisa got dry Namida grabbed the dress and helped her in it.

Eloisa was embarrassed. She didn't know Namida all that well yet. She was a newly appointed castle guard for Eloisa and her mother.

"Where is mother?" Eloisa asked as she held her bed post while Namida laced up the corset with oddly precise tugs and lacing.

"Waiting for you in the main hall. You forgot the time again. Didn't you?" Namida's voice was rather teasing. Eloisa hated that.

"Well.. Yes. I was… reading.." Eloisa blushed as she lied.

Namida said nothing, she instead got the princess dressed. Not wanting to waste much time she untangled her hair and pulled out all of the twigs and leaves that were stuck in her braid.

She used some perfumes and powder to freshen up her hair.

"Next time, make it back in time to clean your hair and dry it."

Namida brushed her hair and put it up with crystal pins while Eloisa put on some light makeup. She then put a lovely necklace on Eloisa that matched her gown. Kneeling before the princess she put on some yellow heels. Her hands holding Eloisa's ankle brought a flush to her face, barely hidden by her makeup.

Namida stood up, holding out a hand to Eloisa in a gentlemanly way and helped her up. Then quickly led her to the main hall.

"Apologies for rushing, but your tardiness reflects on me as well."

Eloisa did her best to keep up. Taking a moment to breathe once they reached the main hall's doors. Namida opened them once Eloisa caught herself.

The entry into the main hall from these doors stood on top of the stairs. A royal guard greeted them as they walked in. Namida kept a proper composure, while Eloisa looked around nervously.

Eloisa's head was swimming. She could see how the room was filled to the brim from the railing. She subconsciously squeezed onto Namida's arm.

Eloisa's mother stood at the opposite side of the staircase. Wearing an elegant dark blue gown that made her pale complexion glow.

Namida bowed to the Queen, tugging Eloisa to pay attention and do the same.

"My Queen Haisella, I have brought you your daughter. I apologize for my tardiness." Namida released Eloisa's sweaty trembling hand and handed her off to her mother.

Eloisa smiled anxiously at her mother. Whispering under her breath to not raise any suspicion. "I'm in trouble aren't I?"

Queen Haisella smiled brilliantly, her sparkling brown eyes looked at her daughter with great pride. "Yes. But let's announce your arrival."

Haisella brought Eloisa to the top of the steps, where she was in full view of the bustling main hall floor. Haisella's golden brown hair sparkled in long ringlets pinned to fall down her back. You would think this was the debut of Haisella, considering how lovely she was.

"I present to you my Daughter, Princess Eloisa Touchstone of the Kingdom Ensorland." Her voice was strong and warming as it echoed in the massive room.

Everyone watched with small polite clapping as Haisella walked Eloisa down the steps, the staircase flared at the bottom elegantly. The carpet was white with light blue and gold grim. The railing was intricately designed with flowers and vines in a gold cast.

Eloisa was uneasy, though she did her best to smile with a calm expression. She tried giving everyone a glance as she descended the stairs, but it made her dizzy.

At the bottom of the steps Eloisa clung to her mother's arm desperately. Giving a stiff curtsy to guests. Her father was sitting on his throne like chair. He wore a gold and blue suit, his complexion was more like Eloisa's, though he had black hair with his honey eyes. He was quite the handsome king, even in his age.

"Thank you all for coming to celebrate the coming of age of my Daughter." King Kraven clapped his gloved hands, the lutes and flutes began to play a lovely tune.

"She is my heiress, and I will not just marry her off to anyone." He stood up with a cocky grin. "Make sure you suitors are ready to impress me."

He bellowed a laugh, which was joined in on. Haisella gave a soft sigh of disapproval.

"We will stay by your father as the suitors come up to meet you. Come." Haisella practically dragged Eloisa to the thrones set up where Kraven sat back down.

The ballroom was loud and bustling. The lords and ladies who were single danced upon the floor while many of the married ones drank and ate finger food off to the side lines.

Eloisa bowed to her father as her mother sat down, then took her own seat beside him.

Kraven leaned over with a chuckle. "Relax Eloisa. I'm not upset that you are late."

Eloisa perked up and let out a sigh of relief. "Really?"

Kraven nodded and drank from a golden chalice. "When I was a suitor for your mother, she was late as well. She practically fell down the stairs in a rush." His chuckling earned him a pinch on his thigh from Haisella. Eloisa did her best to stifle her laugh.

Namida was silent as she placed herself behind them. Her golden eyes watched the room cautiously.

They watched as Princes from other kingdoms and lords of lands would come up and introduce themselves to Eloisa. Each asked her for a dance but the king turned each of them down with a wave of his hand.

Eloisa tried remembering all their names but there were too many. They all seemed rather full of themselves under their chiverlus demeanor.

After the last prince came and left the throne Kraven leaned over to Eloisa. "You may go and pick whom you wish to dance with."

Eloisa looked at him in horror and shock. "That is horribly embarrassing!" She muttered under her breath.

Kraven shrugged with a grin. "I don't like spineless men who can't take rejection. Only some of the lads accepted it well. I hope you were paying attention." He motioned her to get up and go to the clearing dance floor as a song ended.

Eloisa looked at her mother pleading for her to help. Haisella smiled and urged her out with an elegant hand wave.

"I think Prince Howell did well, maybe go for him dear." Haisella spoke so warmly but Kraven snapped a look of disgust at his wife.

"You can't be serious. Howell has no backbone. Did you see him dance? It's like he has 2 left feet. Absolutely not."

Haisella rolled her eyes. "It's Eloisa's decision on who she dances with. Stop being so controlling." She huffed at Kraven.

Eloisa sighed anxiously. Bowing to her parents as they bickered before she elegantly walked the ballroom floor. She searched the many faces of the princes from before. Giving them each polite smiles.

She curled a brow as she caught green eyes looking at her. Making way to the owner of those eyes she gave a curtsy.

"Prince Amaranth, correct? Would you join me for a dance?" Eloisa smiled warmly, though she was trembling in her lovely gown.

Prince Amaranth was drinking from his cup, he looked rather shocked at the princesses offer. He had short wavy ash blond hair that was slicked back. His face was angular, and very attractive. He was around 6ft, wearing a black and green suit that matched his eyes. He cleared his throat, putting the glass onto a table near him and gave the Princess a dashing smile and held his hand out as he bowed.

"I would be honored, Princess Eloisa." As she took his hand in return he led her to the dance floor.

Music soon began to play, and other groupings joined them on the floor as they danced holding their pinkies as they spun. Letting go and twirling before linking them once more. Eloisa's gown swished beautifully with each movement.

"So, Princess, may I ask why you chose me for a dance first?" Prince Amaranth's voice was deep and warm, he kept a steady gaze upon her as they danced.

"Well, to be honest…" Eloisa flushed a bit as she swallowed down her nerves. She gave a shrug with a laugh. "You were the only one not staring at me like some prize to be won by impressing my father."

The Prince seemed taken back, he hooked an arm around the Princess' waist as the music changed tune and he took hold of her hand so they could dance closer.

"I see… Is that what it takes to impress you?" His warm friendly tone and charming smile hid his true intention from Eloisa even as he was a bit rough with handling her.

She looked at him with starry eyes, she wasn't used to being this close with men, especially handsome men. She almost forgot how to breathe. "I suppose we shall see."

Namida watched with a stonelike expression as the princess danced. Kraven waved a hand for Namida to get closer.

"What do you know of Prince Amaranth of Netherwood?" Kraven asked her as he pretended to drink his wine.

"He does not hail from Netherwood as he claims." She said plainly.

The King huffed. "How do you know?"

"The royal family of Netherwood was exterminated." The king looked over at Namida as she spoke those words.

His eyes looked her over as if to ask 'Was it you?' She nodded slightly. Her expression exposed nothing of their conversation to onlookers, but her gold eyes glued back onto the Princess dancing with the imposter.

The king relaxed back in his chair. "Of course she would pick him… He does stand out a little. Make sure they don't leave the room."

Namida nodded. Her hand gripped onto the sword hidden by her cape as she moved to stand behind the king. "He isn't the only imposter, my Lord."

Kraven's expression was dark as he clenched his teeth. "Haisella, remember the escape route dear. I feel it may be time to use it soon." He watched Eloisa who seemed to enjoy the dance she had with Amaranth. Haisella kept a proper posture, but sighed with worry.

"How many are there, Namida?" Haisella softly muttered.

"7. 2 Princes. 3 Lords. 2 Guards." Those words made Kraven boil inside.

"The guards are your men.. Does that mean there is a leak in them?" Namida only responded with a soft hum, confirming the King's worry.

"Be discreet as you handle them. I don't want Eloisa harmed." He leaned over to Haisella and tenderly kissed her cheek. "The moment you can, run with Eloisa."

"I am not leaving you." Tears that remained unshed stung Haisella's eyes at the mere thought.

She turned to kiss Kraven, though that was an improper thing to do in the middle of a ball, she didn't quite care. "You are my husband, even if you are an ass I love you and our daughter."

"Till death do us part, my love." Kraven held Haisella's hand tightly as he expected the worst to happen during this ball.

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