The Unexpected Princess (Completed)

Chapter 6

Anthony held his breath. There she was…

He’d thought he would never see her again.

He stared at her in wonderment as if she was an apparition he had conjured up.

She looked beautiful, Anthony blinked struggling to take his next breath. Colourful beads dangled from her long dreadlocks, and swayed to the beat of the drums as she moved like a mystical being sent to enthrall them all.

The silvery moon glided on her very skin in a lover’s kiss. Anthony yearned to touch her and feel its velvety softness. An amber haze wrapped around her as she moved, highlighting her limbs as they swayed to the beat of the drums.

Suddenly, she looked his way. Their eyes collided and locked bridging the distance between them. And he felt something he couldn’t name hit him in the gut. And he could breathe again. She had him spellbound. Anthony couldn’t look away from her even if he wanted to. Each breath he pulled into his lungs had something hot burning in his chest. His heart ached, and he couldn’t understand why.

Naledi quickly looked away, not wanting to draw attention to herself or to them. The way he was looking at her people would swear something was going on between them.

Has he forgotten that he was the prince? Naledi asked herself.

Thankfully the dance came to an end. And she went to find Dineo. It was time she went back to work anyway.

Naledi was glad to see Dineo walking towards her. As she got closer Naledi finally noticed the man who was walking beside her.

“That was amazing Naledi. It looked like you were dancing on air,” Dineo said when she finally reached her. Naledi smiled at her feeling exhilarated. It had been amazing. This time she could feel the magic people spoke about move within her. The minute the prince had lit the fire her whole body had buzzed with it.

“This is Dr Maatle.” Dineo took a step back to include the doctor in their space.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Naledi said extending her hand in a handshake. He was handsome, and looked well put together. His eyes were kind as they took her in. He was the kind of man Naledi would have chosen for herself. He was tall, handsome and she knew he could provide for his family. And they could live a simple and happy life.

But something was missing. She looked at him trying to figure out what. Naledi remembered the way she had felt about Anthony – the prince, Naledi corrected, when she had seen him at the market and when he had looked at her when she had danced. It had felt like he could reach into her soul.

“The pleasure is all mine,” he said holding her hand a little longer. An awkward, but sweet moment passed between them.

But it was sharply interrupted by the prince of Ga-Tloung as he materialized out of nowhere. His overwhelming presence commanded attention. The people around them stilled, simultaneously holding their breaths, waiting.

Naledi felt her heart thud in her chest. Her stomach quivered. It was a battle not to look at him. The desire to steal a glimpse coursed through her overwhelming and powerful. Naledi trained her eyes forward even though she was intensely drawn to him.

She was aware of his every move and the piercing eyes he had laid upon her. Heat scorched her where she stood. He looked at her as though they were alone. As if he had somehow claimed her for his own.

A thick tension surrounded them like a blanket.

Naledi wished she could shrink away. She felt the anticipation of the crowd rise. She caught their murmured words – something about a bride – and her stomach squeezed.

Dr Maatle dropped her hand as though it was hot. He somehow sensed the prince’s intention.

“She’s the bride I choose,” Anthony said firm and strong for all to hear.

Confused, Naledi looked around to see who he was talking about, only to find everyone looking at her. Her whole body tremble as his words sank in.

It’s a dream, it’s a dream, Naledi chanted in her mind.

She stared as he extended his big hand towards her. He was expecting her to take it.

A buzz started in her ears, adding to her confusion. Her heart sped up starting an anxious feeling in her stomach. What was happening?

She felt trapped, and without thinking she turned and ran.

Naledi ran, closing her mind to the ruckus that erupted behind her, echoing, filling her ears, affording her no escape. She ran all the way to the royal homestead’s kitchen where she felt like herself.

Going to the staff room, she nervously changed into her uniform. All the while hoping she was dreaming.

This couldn’t be happening, she kept saying over and over to herself.

Ever since she had taken over from her grandmother she had prayed for something that will change her fate, something that will take her away from her days of being a servant. But this was not it.

The legacy had weighed on her, because it wasn’t the life she had chosen for herself. But this? Being married to a prince? She was a servant, a maid and he was a prince. They couldn’t.

He couldn’t. This must be a joke. A bad joke at that, because she wasn’t laughing.

She wasn’t in love with him. She wasn’t even comfortable around him.

And not only that, she had disrespected him by running away from him. Naledi suddenly realized what she had done. A lump the size of a golf ball formed in her throat. She stopped all she was doing abruptly almost falling from the pants around her knees. A squeak escaped her mouth, her eyes bulged out.

What was the punishment for that? The punishment for refusing a prince, a man she technically worked for.

Naledi turned to the small windows of the staff room, wondering what that ruckus had been about when she had run away. She heard nothing now, but the thudding of her heart.

She placed her hand to her chest to calm herself. Her body shook as she thought of all sorts of things. She pulled her pants up and finished getting dressed.

She went into the kitchen, washed her hands and started to put the finishing touches to her dishes. The maids were busy serving appetizers and drinks. The kitchen was in chaos. She should have been here to control everything.

This is where she belonged, Naledi thought trying to close her mind to what has happened, but the slight shake of her hand wouldn’t let her forget.

Hopefully he had chosen someone else. A feeling she didn’t want to name swirled in her stomach at that thought. She didn’t know him to feel anything where he was concerned.

To think she had wanted a way out of the life fate had handed her.

Be careful what you wish for, Naledi thought as the kitchen suddenly quieted. She was glad for the silence. She could garnish her food without having to concentrate too hard. But suddenly she realized it was too quiet.