35 Alexander

Alyssa arrived near the castle gate. Unlike other guests, she had drove there herself. Even the checkpoint was decorated grandly. Everything was Magnificent and imposing. In the first checkpoint, guards were checking the cars for bombs, guns, drugs, and other harmful items. They gave green light to Alyssa's car and she drove further inside. In the second check post, they were checking for invitation cards. Alyssa handed her invitation card to the guard earing a strange look from him.

Generally, the guests were brought by their escort or chaperon who does these things, like handing out the invitation card or drive the carriage. In addition to this, most of the cars were priceless limousine, unlike Alyssa's car which looked like a cheap toy in front of them. Alyssa sighed and drove further inside to the third check post. She alighted from her car and gave the keys to one of the valet present there, earning another strange look from him. The valet hesitated for a second then drove her car to the parking lot.

"Was he ashamed of my car?" Alyssa though. Her thought process was broken by someone who was fake coughing beside her. She looked towards him and raised an eyebrow in question.

"Ma'am your partner?" the guard asked.

"Partner?" Alyssa questioned back in confusion.

"Ma'am you can't go inside without a partner." The guard declared.

'Shit! When did the rules change? Why nobody informed her?' Alyssa was thinking very hard.

"You know who I am right? This is my birthday party. I can do whatever I want." Alyssa declared without backing down.

"I know who you are. But rules are rules. Don't give us a hard time or else I have to call the security and throw you away."

Alyssa's eyes widened in anger. She knew she was mocked by the other royals but a mere guard was also not giving her face. She felt humiliated. Her veins started throbbing in anger. For the first time in her life, she felt hate. Hate towards her parents especially her mother.

"Is this how you talk to a princess?" a deep masculine voice came from behind.

The guard who was facing the owner of the voice went pale in fear. He knelt on the ground begging for forgiveness.

Alyssa turned around to see Prince Alexander walking towards her.

"You are stopping her from going inside and even telling a lie, such audacity." Alexander raged.

"From now onwards, you are fired." He declared.

Alyssa was lost in the situation. She felt something stir in her heart. It was for the first time she felt someone protecting her. She didn't know how to describe this weird feeling that she was feeling. She felt her eyes burning with unshed tears.

She was staring at Alexander without blinking.

Alexander felt strange under her stares so he coughed to hide his embarrassment.

He turned to look towards Alyssa and said, "Why don't you come with me? I can be your date tonight."

Seeing Alyssa staring him blankly, he thought she was against the idea. To convince her he began, "You know you would actually doing me a favor. I don't want to bothered by any female inside. Help me out. Please."

Alyssa nodded her head in affirmation.

"Great. Shall we?" Alyssa linked her arms with Alexander's and both of them proceeded to go inside.

"And yes, happy birthday sister," Alexander said earing a sweet smile from Alyssa.

The ballroom was grand with magnificent decoration and lightning. It was very impressive. The room was decorated in burgundy, gold, and purple fitted for a regal atmosphere. There were big chandeliers hanging around the hall emitting beautiful light from it. It had buttoned-leather chairs, Venetian style lamps, and lit poseur tables. Overall it was very beautiful.

"Wow", Alyssa breathed in awe, looking around her in excitement.

Alexander chuckled looking at her child-like expressions. He had seen a lot of beautiful ballrooms than this. But he kept mum for he didn't want to sadden her.

"Let me introduce you to some of our guests." Alexander proposed.

"Ok," Alyssa said.

They went to greet some of the guests who were close to the royal families. They then proceeded to greet some of the ministers of Coral Bells. Alyssa looked charming that night and she was greeting everyone with politeness and with ease. Nobody could tell from looking at her that it was her first time attending a gala. Nobody can recognize Alyssa with her makeup and beautiful dress. They all thought her to be Prince Alexander's female companion or possibly his girlfriend.

Alexander was looking handsome too. He was wearing a black tailored suit with a white shirt and black bowtie which complimented his fair skin very much. His golden blonde hair was gelled and combed backward, enhancing his crystal blue eyes. He was looking very much like prince-next-door.

"Hungry?" Alexander asked.

"No. Not now" Alyssa responded but her stomach growled right at that moment betraying her. Alyssa's cheek turned crimson in embarrassment. This earned a chuckle from Alexander. He took Alyssa's hand in his hand and guided her to the buffet table. Her eyes widened in surprise. There were so many food items present there. Alyssa searched for chocolates but couldn't find any.

Alexander saw her fallen expression and asked, "What do you want to eat?"

"Chocolates. But I couldn't find any." Alyssa pouted.

Alexander laughed and ruffled her hair.

"Hey!" Alyssa protested. She patted her hair to fix it. She didn't want her hair to look like a bird's nest.

Seeing her angry little face, Alexander inched to ruffle her hair once again but he stopped himself from doing it.

Just then the music started and the lights dimmed. The couples proceeded to the dance floor.

"One dance," Alexander asked, extending his hands in her direction.

"But I don't know how to?" Alyssa said. She was speaking the truth. She didn't even know the basics of it.

"Come on, I will teach you." Alexander took her hand and his and without giving her chance to protest dragged her on the dance floor.

"Keep your hands here and here." He kept Alyssa's one hand on his shoulder and held her right hand.

"Now do this step, slowly." Alyssa did what he said.

"Good. Now do this." He proceeded to teach the next step.

"Well done. Now combine everything."

Alyssa did what he asked and combined all the steps he had taught, gracefully.

Once Alyssa got a hang of the dance, both of them started dancing elegantly on the dance floor in rhythm.

Alyssa was enchanting. Her steps were so nimble and graceful, that other couples stopped their dance to look at her.

After the first song, the whole room vibrated with applause. Alexander took Alyssa's hand and both of them bowed.

"What time it is?" Alyssa asked out of blue.

Alexander looked at his Rolex watch and said, "It's nine-thirty."

"Oh no! I have to go. I have to meet my friends." Alyssa exclaimed.

"Can I drop you somewhere?" Alexander asked.

"No. no, it's alright. I can manage. You are needed here."

Alyssa smiled and said, "Thank you, Alexander. Really. I meant it. Thank you for accompanying me today." Alyssa said sincerely.

"It's all right. Call me Xander." Alexander smiled.

"Bye Xander". Alyssa called out before leaving the ballroom.

But unknown to her, there were two eyes following her every moment in the ballroom. One was filled with jealousy and the other one held strange emotions in them which was unfamiliar to the owner of the eyes itself.