The Destined Princess and the Hidden Knight

Chapter Three

"How could a girl who doesn't know how to walk gracefully?" I heard a whisper from behind me, but I kept walking. Why it has to be today, today of all day. Usually, after the class would end, I would be able to go to the dance class and teach the princess. But a prince had decided to visit our learning school and do an inspection of our activities. This meant that we were going to arrange a game for him to watch, dodgeball. I usually wasn't the one who was into games, so it wasn't something I was excited about.

My gaze landed by my side and I found some overly excited court girls giggling among themselves. Even though it was a game, they had started to wash their face with rose water and apply the red color of their lips. Tightening the belt around their waist, making the bottom more fluffy, and forcefully putting their feet into small shoes. 

It wasn't surprising at all, every chance to become a concubine couldn't be lost. That title provided a high status and a nice place to live in the huge court. Most of the household had this dream since a daughter was born there. As soon as she was 13, she would be presented as a candidate for either a princess or a concubine. Being a princess was rare for someone coming from a low-class family, and even the concubine would be someone from the family of a knight or a court member. 

I looked at my palm and shook my head. There was no such line in my hand, which would change my life. I was neither daughter of a court member, nor now a daughter of a knight, I was no one. Just like a fleeting thought, that would be forgotten in a glimpse of seconds. 

Even if I get help for my father, there was so much...so many things that couldn't be changed now. 

I am walking with my head down, and I can feel the push on my shoulder, back, but my mind is trapped in the past. When everything was good. My Mother had too many hopes in me. She said that even if I couldn't be a princess, I would be the most beautiful concubine in the kingdom, even more, pretty than any princess. She wouldn't let me pick up anything heavy, or pull the rope of the well, just so I would remain flawless, one trait that was expected from the court girls. Having flawless skins, soft like flower petals. 

My hands were now covered with scars, burns, and cuts. I pulled on the sleeves to cover my skin.

"Ouch" Someone almost pushed me down on the ground with a strong push on my shoulder, I didn't dare to raise my gaze, but I heard her giggling. 

Gift, one of the court girls who felt like she was entitled to do anything she wants and have anything she wishes on. It was also possible since she was the daughter of the head of the court and so far most of her wishes had come true. 

I didn't have to guess, I knew her eyes were on impressing the Prince. I chuckled inside since I knew it had nothing to do with her talents but with putting others down in front of the prince. I hope that I was too invisible for her and her focus would lie on the other court girls who wore shiny and silky attires rather than me dressed in the plainest garment I possess.

"Everyone gather around now" 

We haven't done it a lot, but we all knew the basic etiquettes and stood in a single line, just in front of a small stage, specially made for occasions like today. 

I would be lying if I said I was not nervous, I had never seen a prince. I have heard about the charming king and his four sons, who were each known for one skill or another, but witnessing and being in the presence of a royal was giving me goosebumps all over my body. Even when I knew I should not raise my gaze, I couldn't hold back and looked through my eyelashes. 

My legs started turning to jello and I softly bit on my lower lip. 

He was radiant. The young face was like the sun, shining, brightening, making everything glow wherever his gaze was set. It wasn't just me, I could hear a lot of giggles and shush around. Yes, we were not probably taught how to behave in front of royalty and even if we were, I feel like, no one would have been able to control themselves in front of his charisma and heart-melting smile. 

As soon as felt his gaze on me, I immediately looked down and took a step back to hide behind other girls. It felt wrong like something bad would happen if he notices me. I don't know why, and I didn't want to risk it, it wasn't the right time.

"Girls stop giggling and stand straight" 

Everyone immediately went silent and nodded. 

I tried to look up again and found his gaze still resting on me and shook my head since another stare was burning by my side. Gift was looking at me like she wanted to kill me, and something inside me wanted to run away from here right now. 

It was never a good sign when she was putting any remark to my head, scary when she was quiet since it meant that she had something else planned out already in her wicked mind. I didn't know what it was. And I didn't want to. I just wanted him to stop looking at me. I was a normal girl, in a bland dress, no one should be ever aware of my presence. 

I had always thought that even if I had someone who would cry when I die, it would mean that I lived a meaningful life. But now, I feel like I don't want anyone to look for me even if I disappear.

"Would someone pick the wooden ball and start the game?"

Hearing giggles by my side wasn't a good indication nor the fact that I just saw Gift pull a string out of it. I still couldn't figure out what she was going to do. 

"Fleur"

I jumped up as soon as my name was said and looked around. Why was my name being said?

"You would be the first player"

"B-but..I..." I could feel so many eyes on me and I knew that I was in no position to deny, like what excuse would I even give. My lips whimpered as my mouth opened and shut many times before I nodded and glanced at Gift who was smirking from her spot. 

"Other girls make a circle, Fleur would be standing in the middle and would try to dodge the ball send in her direction"

The ground was suddenly filled with people whispering and pointing at me. I adjusted my dress and took slow steps, hoping that the time would pass soon if I did that. The stone on the ground pierced through my thin base of shoes, which made walking slowly more difficult.

"Hurry, Fleur"

Another command and I had to pace my steps, reaching the center. 

The rules were simple: if I dodge 5 hits, someone else would take my place, so all I had to do was escape these hits and change places as soon as I could. Once my turn was over it would come again at last, by the time, the Prince would have gone, or at least they would have stopped the game.

Just 5 hits, I could do it.