I was walking steadily. I had practiced how to walk wearing heels for two weeks just for this ball. I turn up my head and confidently walk as a princess would.
At the end of the hallway were the stairs leading to the ballroom of the palace. There was my father waiting for me. His back was facing towards me as I arrived and stood beside him.
"Your majesty, my dear father." I greeted him as a princess would. I hold my skirt and did a courtesy.
"Rise my daughter." my father ordered me.
As I slowly stood up, I looked up at him. My father was looking at me with surprise and awe. He never showed me emotions. This was his first time showing me emotions. In the past, he always looked at me indifferently.
The servants looked at me and my father with surprise and awe. They would just stop by to see me and my father together.
"Ahem" my father cleared his throat. "Come, let's not keep the guests waiting."
My father offered me his arm. I held his arm gently.
I looked down at the ballroom. There were many noble and high-class people waiting there wearing beautiful dresses and suits. Some were chattering, some were eating and some were dancing on the dance floor.
Then the musicians stopped playing their instruments. One servant blew the trumpet to get all the guests' attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you King Henry Heist Johns, the ruler of Ethiopia and, his daughter third princess Alicia Heist Johns." the Herald announced our presence.
My father started to descend the stairs and I followed beside him. We were descending slowly. I could still see some people below chattering.
I was focusing on my walk as we were close to the bottom. I noticed that I couldn't hear the chattering of the guests anymore. I looked around and the guests' eyes, they were all looking at me. Their faces were a mix of surprise, awe, wonderment, and jealousy.
When my father and I reached the ground we suddenly stopped.
"Dear guests, ladies, and gentlemen. I would like to present to you, my third daughter. The third princess of Ethiopia, Alicia Heist Johns." my father announced with the essence of a King.
The guests applauded. I felt overwhelmed. This is my first time attending a ball. And here I was, the star of the night.
"Hahaha your majesty." a middle-aged stout man approached us. "I didn't know that you were hiding such a beautiful daughter." he said.
"Duke Jonathan" my father greeted. "Alicia, greet the duke." my father said to me.
"It's a great pleasure to meet you, Duke Jonathan." I greeted.
"Haha, the pleasure is all mine." Duke Jonathan said. "Your majesty, good thing you presented this beautiful daughter of yours. My son William just turned sixteen. He is a fine young lad that can be a great match for your Alicia." he further said.
"Duke, my daughter just turned fifteen. Isn't it a bit early to make matches? Don't you think?" my father replied.
"I have heard about William Jonathan. He is the heir of the Jonathan family. It is said that he was a rising noble here in Ethiopia. He is not only intelligent but also handsome. Many young noble and high-class women are dying for his attention. And that includes both my sisters, the first princess Lisa and the second princess Lucy." I said.
"Nonsense, there is no such thing as early matchmaking." Duke Jonathan said. "William, my son. Where is that boy?" he was searching through the crowd.
"Father!" I heard a voice of a young man in the crowd.
A blonde-haired boy emerged from the crowd. He had light green eyes and his skin was fair. His smile was dazzling.
Ah, there he is, William my boy. Come here!" the duke ordered.
"Your majesty, your highness" William bowed before us.
"Arise" my father ordered.
I also greeted him with courtesy. "Sir William, it's a pleasure to meet you." I said.
"Princess, the pleasure is all mine." with that William kissed the back of my hand.
In Ethiopia, if a gentleman greets a lady with a kiss on the back of the hand it means he is interested in getting to know her. Either as a friend or in a romantic way.
I blushed at his gesture. William gave me a sweet and gentle smile.
"Oh look at them your majesty, they just look so good together." the Duke said. "William my boy, are you willing to get to know princess Alicia better?" the Duke asked.
"If the princess let me" William said with a smile "Will you let me meet you once in a while in the courtyard?" he said.
I was frozen in place. This was the first time a boy had ever taken notice of me. I was so speechless.
"Ahh..." I said not knowing what to say.
"Well if young William here wishes to court my daughter then I will respect his wish. But expect that courting a princess won't be easy." my father said.
"Haha of course your majesty. I am sure my William is up for the challenge." the Duke said. His laughter was genuine.
"Then please princess, let me at least start by being your friend first" Willam requested.
"O-Okay" I stuttered.