The Royal Ball

Over at the ball, Princess Eunice is about to lose her patience. She lost track of how many princes and nobles tried to approach and impress her. But no one was able to capture her interest. All of them are the same. They only view her as a prize to be won. Not a single one tried to know the woman behind the crown.

“Why do you have that sad look on your face?” the Queen said to her beautiful daughter. “Look around you! You could not ask for finer suitors than these.”

“I know, mother,” said the princess. "Maybe, I'm just hungry. Let me ask the maid to bring me food."

The Queen Mother's expression was filled with shock. "But you already had your dinner earlier, princess! What would the other people say if they see you eating again? They might think that we have a glutton for a princess! No, you should not do that!"

Princess Eunice sighs. This is the part that she hates about being a princess. There are so many rules and social etiquettes that she needs to follow. They said that she should be more lady like, demure, quiet, and submissive. But that's the total opposite of her personality! She loves adventures. She loves to eat a lot. She's interested in travelling, sword fighting, martial arts, and politics. She wants to be the one to rule the kingdom and not just sit quietly in a corner like an expensive decoration.

But no one seems to understand that.

"I think I need a quick break, mother." the princess said before leaving her bewildered queen mother. She immediately went to the garden.

Because of her sudden departure, she did not witness the arrival of Jin de Rella.

"Look!" Someone pointed to the front door. “Who is that?”

All heads turned. Who is that breathtaking gentleman stepping down the stairs? He held his head tall and looked as if he belonged in the palace but no one knew him.

“There is something about him,” said the Bruno to his brother, who's busy eyeing the other guests. "He looks familiar, but I can't pinpoint when and where did we meet."

"Perhaps you're just imagining things." Pancho answered.

"Instead of gossiping like two middle-aged women, how about you try your best to make the princess notice you?!!! Don't waste this opportunity to become part of the royal family!" their mother said in a hushed voice.

"Yes, mother."

Meanwhile, Jin de Rella is having the time of his life. He can't believe that he's finally few steps away from his dream.

"Is this for real? Can I really have you now?" he thought while staring at the buffet table with dreamy eyes.

Unlike the other attendees, he did not come to the ball with hopes to marry the princess. He really just want to enter the palace and taste their food since his dream is to become a palace chef someday. That's the reason why he ignores the ongoing party and just proceeds to fill his plate with all the food that they can offer. Then, he decided to look for a quiet place where he could eat without anyone disturbing him.

His search brought him to the garden where Princess Eunice is currently hiding.

"I hate this life! I'm hungry, and I can't even eat a single slice of cake!"

Jin was surprised to see a beautiful lady stomping her foot angrily while ranting about being hungry.

"Have mercy on the poor pavement, lady. If you keep on stomping like that, they might need to fix that spot soon."

Princess Eunice threw a surprise look on the stranger who dared to disturb her moment.

"Who are you?"

"Just a mere guest who wants to enjoy his food. Would you like some?" Jin offered.

"Do you recognize who I am?"

"You're wearing a crown, and you don't look old like a king or queen should be, so I'm guessing that you're the princess. Hello, your Highness." he calmly said before starting to taste his food.

Princess Eunice was taken aback by this stranger's action. He acts as if he's not interested in impressing her and having a princess for a wife.

This fellow piqued her curiosity.

"Didn't you come here to ask my hand for marriage?" she asked.

Jin stared at the princess wide-eyed. "Why would I do that? No offence, your highness, you're really beautiful, but not all men in this kingdom want to marry you. I came here to taste what kind of food the palace has to offer."

Princess Eunice was shocked. "You... you came here for... the food?!!"

"Yes!" Jin's bright smile made her heart skip a beat.

"My dream is to become an excellent chef and perhaps work here in the palace someday. How about you, your highness?"

"What do you mean?"

"What's your dream?" he innocently asks while enjoying his food.

"This is the first time that someone asks me that question." she whispered.

"Seriously? Here, take this and tell me more, please." Jin gave the princess an extra spoon and urged her to share food with him.

The princess didn't know why she felt so comfortable speaking to this strange fellow, but she ended up pouring her hearts out while eating.

"I want to be free to act the way I want to be. I want to rule the kingdom and fight for it if needed. I want to travel and discover more about the life of my subjects."

"That's a nice dream. What's stopping you from doing them?"

Princess Eunice rolled her eyes. "Duh! Royalties have rules to follow. My parents and the entire court will be in chaos if I tell them what I want to do. They expect me to be an obedient princess, marry a suitable prince, and let him manage the kingdom. Then, I'll just sit prettily and wave."

"Why would you let them stop you from pursuing your dreams? You're a princess, not a mere puppet."

"You don't understand. I have obligations to the crown."

"Maybe, I don't really understand how complex the palace life is. But what I know is that you should never apologize for your dreams. And besides, you look the most beautiful when you are talking about those dreams. It will be such a waste if you don't pursue them."

Princess Eunice's cheeks turned red.

"You... Do you really think I'm beautiful?"

"Of course, you are. It's just that I'm more beautiful than you, Your Highness."

Instead of being offended, the princess laughs at his confident remark.

“You're really different, and I am pleased to meet you. If you're done eating, can you please dance with me?” Princess Eunice didn't know why she asked that. She only wants to spend more time with the only man who captured her interest.

"If you're so insistent, I guess I have no choice but to say yes. Hah... the curse of being this beautiful." Jin pretended to sound annoyed but ended up laughing with the princess afterwards.

“I feel as if I've known you before,” said the princess while they were dancing in the grand ballroom surrounded by curious onlookers. “But of course, that is impossible.”

“Many things are possible if you wish them to be true.” Jin said, thinking about his own encounter with magic.

The princess looks at him in a different light. When the song was over, they danced again. And then they danced again, and yet again. Soon, the other male guests at the ball grew jealous.

“Why is she dancing all the time with him?” they said. “How rude!”

But all the princess could see was Jin de Rella. They laughed and talked, and they danced some more. In fact, they danced for so long that Jin lost track of time.

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