Ella pov.
I never thought I could be here; I never thought I could look so good.
I stand in front of the castle, gazing at its magnificent structure. This sight is truly amazing, leaving me at a loss for words.
"Ella," a voice calls out.
I turn around and see Mr. James smiling at me.
"Yes, Mr. James?"
I walk towards him as he places his hands on my shoulders, grinning warmly.
"Go have fun," he says, and I reciprocate with a smile, embracing him. "Thank you, Mr. James. I'm grateful."
I turn around and take a moment to admire the castle before stepping inside.
The castle is grand, evoking the feeling of stepping into a fairytale. A smile spreads across my face as I make my way towards the ballroom.
Nervousness wells up within me, uncertain if Elina and her daughter will recognize me.
As I enter the ballroom, all eyes turn towards me, captivated. Shyness threatens to overwhelm me, making me consider turning away and fleeing.
My heart races as I stand there, observed by all, their whispers filling the room, praising my beauty.
The kind words bring a smile to my face, yet I remain bashful, lowering my head. It takes a while before I sense a presence nearing, and when I look up, I find myself face to face with Elina and Lia.
Feeling scared, I instinctively turn away, searching for an escape route.
"You don't look bad in that dress, young lady. Have we met before?" Elina inquires.
I avoid her gaze, my fear still lingering. "Oh, what should I do?"
I smile faintly, refusing to meet their eyes, attempting to alter my tone.
"You may be mistaking me for someone else, ma'am. We haven't met before."
But before I can turn and walk away, Lia intercepts me, blocking my path. I remain frozen, avoiding eye contact.
"Listen, miss. You may look pretty, but the prince is mine. Got it?"
I nod and walk away. I don't even desire the prince; I only came here because Edward invited me, and it would be cruel not to attend.
As the ball grows increasingly dull, I decide to wander away from the music, seeking solace in a secluded area.
I stumble upon a serene garden and take a seat, taking in my surroundings. I plan to leave the ball at midnight, ensuring Elina doesn't discover my presence here.
Closing my eyes, I relish in the cool breeze enveloping me. This is life—this is what it means to be free.
A melodious hum escapes my lips, and a sense of joy courses through me.
"What a lovely song," I hear as I open my eyes and turn around, only to be taken aback by the sight of Edward gazing at me.
"You remind me of a maid I met a few days ago. She sang the same song that you were humming. If you don't mind, are you in any way related to her, perhaps her sister?"
I looked down, my mask still covering my face. What should I do now? Should I tell him that I am the same girl? I glanced to my left and then to my right, slowly lifting my head up, avoiding his gaze.
"Sorry, but you have mistaken me for someone else." I stood up, ready to leave, but he grabbed my hand and turned me around. Our eyes locked.
"Why do I feel like I've seen you before?"
I pushed him away, turning my back to him. I couldn't risk anyone knowing the truth. Elina would make my life a living hell.
"Please, you have confused me with another girl. I only came here because I was invited. If you don't mind, I would like to leave."
As I was about to walk away, his voice stopped me.
"Stop. Does that mean you are a princess? If you don't mind me asking, what pack do you belong to, and who is your father?"
Fear coursed through me at that question. Suddenly, I remembered what Edward had told me – the invitation was meant for those of royal bloodline.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I do not reveal my location. Yes, I am a princess, but my identity and pack are secrets."
After saying that, I turned to him, my head still lowered, and asked, "Since you asked me, I wouldn't mind asking you the same. If you are here, it means you belong to a noble bloodline as well. I would like to know what pack you belong to and who your father, the Alpha, is."
I knew it was a foolish question, but if I wanted to act like a princess and protect myself, so be it.
He chuckled and moved closer to me. I could feel his breath on my face as he smiled and pulled me closer.
We stood there, staring at each other for a while, and I started to feel uneasy just standing there, looking into his eyes.
"You still look kind of familiar. Tell me, have we met?".
I cast my gaze downward, puzzled by his persistent inquiry. Why did he continue to ask when I had already assured him of our unfamiliarity? Confusion clouded my thoughts as I grappled with his unwavering curiosity.
"Sorry, but you haven't answered my question," I interjected politely, my words laced with intrigue and a touch of amusement.
In that moment, I caught a glimpse of his enchanting smile, and a spark of recognition flickered within me. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to meet his, drawn to the enigmatic aura he exuded.
"My name is Edward, the crown prince of this majestic pack," he introduced himself with regal grace. The weight of his royal lineage hung in the air, leaving me momentarily breathless. Until that instant, his true identity had eluded me, shrouded in secrecy.
"Would you do me the honor of sharing a dance?" he asked, his words weaving a melodic invitation that resonated within me.
Stunned and taken aback, a surge of disbelief coursed through me. The realization that he, the prince himself, had uttered those words left me in a state of shock. Never had I fathomed such a possibility, never had I known of his noble status.